World’s Largest Gifts & Premium Fair Opens with 4,300+ Exhibitors

27 April 2017 – The 32^nd Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The four-day fair (27-30 April), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), is the world’s largest fair of its kind. This year’s fair features more than 4,300 local and overseas exhibitors from 31 countries and regions, showcasing a broad variety of giftware products. The 12^th Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair, held in parallel with the Gifts & Premium Fair, also started today at the AsiaWorld-Expo. Jointly organised by the HKTDC and CIEC Exhibition Company (HK) Ltd, the Printing & Packaging Fair showcases a wide spectrum of high quality, value-adding packaging and printing products and services suited for different industry needs.

Improved consumer confidence a boost for the Gifts & Premium sector
“Looking at the performance of major economies, the Chinese mainland’s first-quarter economic growth beat expectations and income growth among its citizens accelerated. The recently announced consumer confidence indices for the United States and the Eurozone also improved. These developments are conducive to the prospects of the gifts and premium sector,” said HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau. “From the response of the buying missions, overseas buyers’ mood for sourcing remains good. This year, the HKTDC has organised around 170 overseas buying missions comprising more than 9,300 companies to visit the Gifts & Premium Fair and Printing & Packaging Fair.”

Three major zones at The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association pavilion
As an international gifts trading hub, Hong Kong’s gifts industry has long been highly regarded by global buyers. Hong Kong’s exhibitors are also a major force at the Gifts & Premium Fair. According to a survey done last year, more than 70 per cent of Gifts & Premium Fair buyers were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality, pricing, creativity, branding and services of Hong Kong’s suppliers.

This year, the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association is again organising more than 170 local companies to exhibit at its pavilion, showcasing the originality and competitive edge of local product designers at three major zones: Smart Design Village, Isle of Originality and Brand Oasis. The winning works of the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards 2017 are also displayed at the Smart Design Village, where global buyers can appreciate the outstanding designs of Hong Kong’s brands and new talent.

New Startup zone to support entrepreneurship
A new Startup zone has been added to the Gifts & Premium Fair for entrepreneurs intent on joining the industry to reach global buyers and industry peers. “At the Startup zone are around 20 start-ups from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and Taiwan,” said Mr Chau. “Participating start-ups can join the “Startup . Smart Launch” sessions to introduce their products and business ideas to industry players and potential partners. This is an invaluable opportunity for start-ups.”

The new zone features a diverse range of products, from original cartoon characters and designer jewellery to art decorations. One of the participating start-ups, Eco Matcher, has even integrated technology and eco elements into corporate premiums. The company plants trees on behalf of corporate clients who use the service in place of giving out traditional premiums. Recipients can even monitor the trees’ condition online. Learn more about the company in this video: https://youtu.be/VoRr-SPrGaA

A world of branded products
To cater to buyer demand for branded products, the Hall of Fine Designs is set up at the Gifts & Premium Fair. The zone features the products of more than 130 brands from some 70 local and overseas companies, including PO: Selected, a local dining products brand; Kool, a kitchen and dining products brand; Nu Design, a leather goods and stationery brand; Premec, a luxury pen brand from Switzerland; and SOL’S, an outdoor sports equipment brand from France.

In addition to branded products, a wide variety of products are also on offer at the Gifts & Premium Fair. To help buyers easily locate items, various product zones are set up including those for Corporate Gifts, Green Gifts, Tech Gifts, Luggage & Travel Goods, Figurines & Decorations, and this year’s new additions, Licensed Gifts and Hair Ornament & Accessories. There are also group pavilions set up by different countries and regions, including the Chinese mainland, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom, to showcase their unique products.

Printing & Packaging Fair for all industries
Fine products need equally fine packaging to attract consumer attention. The 12^th Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair brings together more than 440 exhibitors from eight countries and regions, offering printing and packaging solutions catered for different products and service industries. Highlight areas include the De Luxe Zone, which features value-adding, high-end packaging solutions, and the Digital Printing & 3D Printing zone, which displays cutting-edge printing technologies. For the catering and fashion industries, the Food & Beverage Packaging Solutions zone and the new Printing & Packaging Solutions for Fashion & Accessories zone are dedicated to products and services suited to the two industries’ distinctive needs.

Aside from finding different packaging supplies at the fair, retailers can also visit the new Innovative Retail Display Solutions zone and booths bearing the relevant insignia to discover creative eye-catching display solutions, such as visual merchandising solutions made with paper, and digital promotion solutions for frontline sales staff. Companies concerned about environmental protection can visit the Green Printing & Packaging Solutions zone and look for exhibitors with the green-leaf insignia indicating that they offer eco-friendly products and services.

Value-adding thematic seminars
During the fairs, the HKTDC also organises a series of seminars and forums to help buyers stay abreast of market developments. These include seminars that examine the latest developments in the Indian, Indonesian, Japanese and North American markets, as well as those that discuss pertinent industry topics such as retail trends, testing and certification services for gifts and premiums, the next stage of high-end packaging, personalised packaging using digital printing, and the latest technologies for textile and 3D printing.

To help buyers easily access the fairs, free shuttle bus service will run between the HKCEC and the AsiaWorld-Expo at regular intervals.

Fair websites:
Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair: www.hktdc.com/hkgiftspremiumfair/
Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair: http://www.hkprintpackfair.com/
Shuttle Bus Service: http://bit.ly/2oQAYHT

** All media will be required to present name card or staff card for press registration.

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Joe Kainz     Tel: (852) 2584 4216           Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

Media registration
Media representatives wishing to cover the event may register on-site with their business cards and/or media identification.

To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

About the HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong’s businesses. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China, Asia and the world. With 50 years of experience, the HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in international markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.