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Preparing for China Trade Shows: Part 1 of 3
Filed Under:business culture| Viewed by: 1762 Persons
By Peter Zapf
What are the advantages to meeting China suppliers face-to-face at trade shows in Hong Kong, and what should you do when you get there? In this first of three installments we talk about Hong Kong, especially for those that haven¡¯t visited Hong Kong previously.
Hong Kong hosts a number of great trade shows that are easy to get to. There is nothing like meeting a prospective supplier in person to know what he can deliver. Knowing what to expect and asking the right questions will give you the best use of your time.
The world¡¯s buyers have been flocking to Hong Kong for decades to find the suppliers they need for their business. Why? Because Hong Kong is a modern, world-class city.
With its British influence, English continues to be commonly used. Most people speak English and most directional signs are also in English. For native English speakers, the language barrier is non-existent at best, minimal at worst.
Many businesses set up their China headquarters in Hong Kong because it maintains the same Western legal system it had prior to the handover to China, giving it a strong and predictable rule of law.
When you arrive in Hong Kong you'll see why the airport is consistently rated as one of the world's best. The modern, sprawling facility has over 60 gates, mostly filled by big Boeing 747s. It also has free Wi-Fi, good restaurants and lots of shopping. It¡¯s one of the busiest airports in Asia.
Hong Kong has great food, and Chinese delicacies like dim sum and Peking Duck are must-tries. If you're in the mood for something closer to home, you can find everything from Ruth¡¯s Chris steakhouse to McDonalds. Lots of Southeast Asian and European cuisine is available too. This map of restaurants in the Lan Kwai Fong entertainment area shows how international the choices are.
Hotels in Hong Kong are first-rate, although prices are getting steeper by the year -- you'll probably pay between US$100 and $200 per night, but both costlier and cheaper options are available. Shop around and book early in order to get a room -- during trade show season (October and April) hotels fill up quickly and charge premium rates. Sites that can help you find hotels are Asia Hotels (http://www.asiahotels.com/) and Zuji (http://www.zuji.com/).
Hong Kong has great public transportation. Taxis, the subway and public buses can get you everywhere. From the airport you have a choice of taxi, bus or subway (Airport Express) to get to your hotel, all very clean, modern and efficient.
There is quite a lot to see while off work. Some favorites include a visit to the old Chinese temples, a ride on the peak tram or on the Star Ferry - both of which provide great city views - or walking through the interesting museums, including the Museum of Art and History, the Museum of Science and the Museum of Space. For nature lovers, a hike on the outlying islands or in the New Territories provides an opportunity to get away from the big city.
Citizens of most developed countries don¡¯t need a visa to enter Hong Kong. If you plan to cross into mainland China to visit factories or other trade shows you might need one - check with your embassy as there have been many changes in rules recently.
Visiting a trade show has a lot of advantages, more so because many of them are held in Hong Kong, which still combines the best of both China and the Western world. One of the most prominent fairs, the China Sourcing Fairs, is hosted by Global Sources, and it is located one minute from the airport.
In the next installment, we look at what you should look out for at a trade show itself.