With 529 Asian suppliers and 9,224 international buyers, the 8th Asia Expo lived up to its industry reputation as one of the key trade fairs for Asian products in Europe. During the four-day show held from 29 January – 1 February, 2008, Asian manufacturers and European trade professionals gathered under the same roof of the Grand Hall at the Olympia Exhibition Centre for London’s definitive Asian sourcing event.

Mr. Herbert Ip, Chairman of Kenfair International, reflected on the mission of the 8-year-old Asia Expo: “This London show was the first exhibition launched under the ‘Asia Expo’ brand, which is designed to promote and facilitate direct trade between Asian manufacturers and international buyers looking for top-quality and yet competitively-priced Asian gifts, housewares, premiums and toys. The show started in 2001 and is now regarded as a premier sourcing platform for Asian products in Europe.”

The timing plays a key role in the show’s continual success. “Held in early February each year, the Asia Expo is conveniently timed to coincide with other major trade exhibitions in the U.K., Germany, Italy and France. At Asia Expo in London, European buyers can source their targeted Asian products close to their home base, saving both time and cost of traveling long- distance to Asia,” added Mr. Ip.

Validating its established industry-wide recognition, Asia Expo secured “UFI-Approved” status from the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry in 2003.

The annual trade fair was extended for one further day from its original three-day run in 2007 to allow exhibitors and buyers more time for business negotiations. The 9224 visitors came primarily from European countries, including France, Italy, Germany, Scandinavia and Spain, plus others from Eastern Europe, and a large contingent from the UK.

The largest group of exhibitors came from Hong Kong, with 212 participants, followed by the 180 exhibitors from Mainland China and a further 100 Taiwanese companies. There was also a significant representation from Asian countries such as Korea, India, Vietnam and Pakistan.

Both exhibitors and buyers were pleased with this year’s expo and expressed positive comments. Overall, exhibitors reported much better-than-expected results, with some even claiming highly potential business orders to be realised for the year ahead. An onsite survey by the organiser found that quite a number of buyers were particularly impressed by the unique business opportunities available at the expo.

The next Asia Expo-London will take place in February, 2009. Exact show dates will be announced shortly. Keep updated by visiting the fair website: www.londonasiaexpo.com or email us at cs@kenfair.com for us to contact you with the show dates as soon as they are available.

Some selected buyers’ comments

“We’re a company specialising in offering consultancy services for our clients. This is a fabulous exhibition because it provides a good opportunity for me to meet exhibitors of diversified products. The services by the organiser, Kenfair, are also of very high quality. I look forward to coming back in 2009.”
Bruno Teixeira, Consultant
Trading EuroPacific Consulting, Portugal

“AJ Promotion Hellas is a promotion company providing customers with advertising, import and export services. Stationed in Greece, we’re keen to look for novelty gifts, stationery, fashion accessories as well as watches and clocks. The Asia Expo-London is very well-organised and Kenfair’s staff showed me great hospitality. It’s just marvelous!”
Antigoni Chantzi, Buyer
AJ Promotion Hellas, Greece

“I’ve come to this Asia Expo since last year. It’s a useful platform for me to source new items. We met up with various helpful suppliers with whom we may enter into business of great potential. The show is very well-organised and professional. We think the exhibition suits our requirements perfectly and look forward to further Kenfair shows in the UK and Europe”
Sue Law, Partner
Tamarind Tree Originals, UK

“We are an Italian company targeting gifts, stationery, watches and clocks. Thanks to this Asia Expo-London, we can source our desired Asian products fuss-free in Europe…no need to travel far away! That’s wonderful. We’ll surely visit this trade fair next year.”
Fabio Cottini, Marketing Manager
El Com Italia Sr, Italy

“Our company is looking for suppliers of packaging goods. This Asian show is just right for us. I’m very impressed by the good range of product sources available under one roof. I also appreciate very much the fabulous, free beverage offered at the Buyer Lounge.”
Bill Ryan, Buyer
Daler-Rowney, UK

“We are a premiums agency based in UK. The Asia Expo-London offers us a valuable chance to meet hundreds of Asian suppliers of gifts, premiums and toys in one place. Olympia’s Grand Hall is very convenient and easy accessibility. I like the professional organisation of the show by Kenfair.
Simon Gibbons, Buyer
Wessex Incentives, UK

“Representing the UK-based ADM Group, I come to the show to source gifts, premiums, toys and stationery. The two key merits of this show are its abundant provision of product choice and the good location. For sure, I will be back here next year.”
Lisa Upson, Account Manager
The ADM Group, UK

“Morinvest SRL is an experienced importer and wholesaler in Italy. I’ve again spotted a number of good gifts and premiums, as well as stationery items here. The good fair management and great supply of wonderful merchandise keep me coming back to this Asia Expo year after year.”
Madleen Morf, Marketing Manager
Morinvest SRL, Italy

“We are an importer and wholesaler of housewares, watches and clocks. To me, Asia Expo-London has always been an exposition of high business potential and excellent suppliers. Thanks again to the show’s professional organiser Kenfair for its great job.”
Richard James, National Accounts Manager
Mountrose Ltd., UK

“Daktari is a company importing a wide range of gifts and premiums, stationery, toys and fashion accessories. This London Expo has brought to us exhibitors supplying diversified products at good price range. We have been able to get many of our desired goods without difficulty.”
Stephanie Regnier, Buyer
Daktari, France

“My company is an importer and exporter of gift items. Here at the show, we see them in abundant supply! Aside from this, the many services by the fair organiser are just wonderful, making my sourcing journey a pleasant one.”
Raza Wasiq, Buyer
Sun-line, Belgium

“We are a promotion agency targeting gifts, premiums, toys and housewares. What impresses me most about the show is its wide array of nice merchandise provided by exhibitors from Asia. As a regular visitor to this fair, I could see a lot of upcoming new items which we find very inspiring.”
Jana Tesarova, Junior Account Manager
Targo Promotion, Czech Republic

“My company is looking for all kinds of promotional gift items. Once again, we are impressed by the excellent organisation of the fair. More importantly, we are able to source our desired products. For sure, we will visit this trade show in 2009.”
Aitor and Koro, Buyer
Gain XXI SLL, Spain

“I came again to this show in London to look for new supplies of gifts, premiums, toys, stationery, fashion accessories, watches and clocks. This fair is so good that I can always find lots of my desired products all under one roof. There are some new product varieties I didn’t see here before.”
G. Osewska, Owner
Zhup G. Osewska, Poland

“We are involved in import, wholesale and retail. I am happy to see a wide array of products among the booths. I’m able to find my target merchandise of good quality. I highly appreciate the great job of the professional exposition organiser Kenfair to put up this all-Asian product exhibition in Europe.”
Darryl Grima, Managing Director
One Blue Lemon, Malta

“Our company is a wholesaler based in UK. We are interested in toys, gifts and premiums, stationery, watches and clocks as well as torches. It is easy for me to get to the show as I live in London. The show has an excellent layout and good supplies of Asian products. Surely, I will be here again next year. Keep up your good work, show organiser!”
David Henson, Sourcing Manager
WRS Ltd., UK

“Asia Expo is a very good show organised by Kenfair over these years. We always find it easy at the show to source from our targeted China exhibitors for good quality gifts, premiums, housewares, toys, stationery, watches and clocks. I will come back again for this London show next year.”
Thomas Van Coppenolle, Buyer
Dfacto, Belgium