Facing considerable travel uncertainty due to Covid-19, online sourcing has become the ultimate tool for buyers to get their hands on the latest products.
Following the success of Summer Sourcing Weeks | Go ONLINE, HKTDC is organising its next exhibition in November, Autumn Sourcing Week | ONLINE (ASWO).
Under the theme ‘A new connected World Beyond the New Normal’, ASWO once again offers a one-stop online sourcing platform for buyers and suppliers to continue exploring more business opportunities across various industries including electronics, lighting, outdoor tech light, eco tech, watch & clock, optical, toys, baby products, stationery, houseware as well as gifts & premium.
“The uncertainties brought by the Covid-19 pandemic have led more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to focus on online promotions and operations, which has quickly become the ‘new normal’ for conducting business,” Benjamin Chau, HKTDC deputy executive director, says.
“Given that the pandemic has prevented buyers and exhibitors from meeting in person, the HKTDC has introduced online business matching to enable networking and deal-making.”
ASWO continues to utilise Click2Match, an AI-enabled business matching platform, to provide buyers and suppliers with online self-service tools such as meeting planner, live chat, video meeting and e-business card exchange.
Entry restrictions on incoming visitors implemented by the Hong Kong Government have also pushed out the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair (HKISF) to 2022, jointly organised by Messe Frankfurt and HKTDC. However, in the meantime, the show originally scheduled for January 2021 will move online and will now be part of ASWO.
“HKISF is one of Asia’s most international events for the stationery industry, with more than 90 per cent of exhibitors in 2020 coming from outside of Hong Kong,” says Judy Cheung, deputy general manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK).
“After discussions with a variety of the fair’s stakeholder groups, it is clear that joining ASWO is in the best interest of all participants. The new online arrangement is a solution to the uncertainties brought forward by Covid-19, offering a safe and effective way for both visitors and exhibitors to pursue their business objectives.”
ASWO will run from 16 to 27 November. To register click here.
