China Kids Expo in Shanghai: How to Prepare for a Visit of Exhibitions in China

Sourcing Agents who work with China help businesses to communicate with suppliers and launch production. However, sometimes clients come up with specific requests. For example, this time we were to help our client to prepare for a visit to Chinese exhibitions.

This case will show you why the visit to Shanghai might potentially turn into a waste of time and money. You will also learn how to prepare for a trip if you plan to attend an exhibition in China.

Assignment: Prepare Client for Exhibition

Mary, one of our clients, asked us to help her prepare for the exhibition China Kids Expo 2023. This is an international Shanghai exhibition of toys, kids products and gifts.

Our client wanted to attend this exhibition in order to expand her assortment and find new partners as a replacement for some European kids brands.

Specifically, she was interested in Preschool — educational toys for kids 3-10 years old. In other words, it meant robotics, construction kits, board games, toys for research and experiments, etc. This category of toys is defined at the exhibitions as STEAM toys, Educational Toys, Learning Toys.

China Kids Expo in Shanghai: How to Prepare for a Visit of Exhibitions in China

Sourcing Agents who work with China help businesses to communicate with suppliers and launch production. However, sometimes clients come up with specific requests. For example, this time we were to help our client to prepare for a visit to Chinese exhibitions.

This case will show you why the visit to Shanghai might potentially turn into a waste of time and money. You will also learn how to prepare for a trip if you plan to attend an exhibition in China.

Assignment: Prepare Client for Exhibition

Mary, one of our clients, asked us to help her prepare for the exhibition China Kids Expo 2023. This is an international Shanghai exhibition of toys, kids products and gifts.

Our client wanted to attend this exhibition in order to expand her assortment and find new partners as a replacement for some European kids brands.

Specifically, she was interested in Preschool — educational toys for kids 3-10 years old. In other words, it meant robotics, construction kits, board games, toys for research and experiments, etc. This category of toys is defined at the exhibitions as STEAM toys, Educational Toys, Learning Toys.

Chris, one of our Sourcing Agents, led the project. The results of her search were to be reflected in an Excel spreadsheet with information about suppliers who fit the profile.

Overview of China Kids Expo 2023

China Kids Expo is a leading Asian exhibition of toys, kids products and gifts. It runs on a regular basis (each October) at Shanghai New International Expo Center. Attending the forum provides an excellent opportunity to see product samples, personally meet factories and plants representatives, ask questions and discuss terms of potential cooperation.

Reviewing Client’s Profile

Chris started with reviewing the client’s profile – her site and the actual product catalogue. It was essential in order to understand who out of 600 participants in the Preschool category might be potentially of interest for the client.

Selection of Proper Suppliers

The main issue at the exhibition is losing concentration. One might walk around for hours and look at something which is not needed. It turns out to be a waste of time, while the goal is not achieved.

In order to avoid this, Chris thoroughly studied all exhibitors and selected the most appropriate ones for potential cooperation with Mary.

As the exhibition opening deadline was coming soon, Chris had to urgently process a huge amount of information — no less than 75 suppliers per day!

Exhibition Attendance Plan

Chris came up with a step-by-step plan and a route to attend the exhibition:

• took into account the transfer time from the hotel to Shanghai New International Expo Center;
• marked all necessary booths on the map W5 China Preschool Expo;
• put on the map numbers of booths, which were to be attended;
• came up with a list of questions to be asked to suppliers’ representatives.

Exhibition Results Summary

Mary visited all selected booths and met with the suppliers. After the exhibition Chris helped her to sum up the results: she had additional discussions with suppliers, whom Mary liked with regard to their assortment and delivery terms, as well as requested their product catalogs.

Our client achieved her goal — she attended the Shanghai exhibition, expanded the catalog of her online store and found new reliable partners.

Please fill in the application form, should you need help from our Sourcing Agent. We will find suppliers for you, arrange a business trip and help to set up a reliable supply chain out of China.