Houseware, Home Textiles, Gifts, Printing Fairs Open This Month

10 April 2018 – Four major trade fairs organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will open this month. The HKTDC Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair will run from 20-23 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair will take place from 27-30 April at the HKCEC, while the concurrent Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair, jointly organised with CIEC Exhibition Co (HK) Ltd, will be held at AsiaWorld-Expo. The fairs will welcome more than 7,400 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions this year. The HKTDC has organised 300 buying missions comprising more than 14,500 companies from around the world to visit the four fairs.

Connecting start-ups with global buyers
The HKTDC organises a comprehensive range of promotional activities to help start-ups explore and enter global markets, including the Startup Zone at the fairs and conferences. “The HKTDC launched the Startup Zone at the Houseware and Gifts & Premium Fairs last year, allowing start-ups to exhibit at the fairs at lower cost and connecting them with buyers and potential business partners,” said Benjamin Chau, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director. “The Startup Zone is returning at the two fairs this year, attracting start-ups from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, as well as first-time participants from Indonesia and Bangladesh. Start-ups can discover further business opportunities by presenting their products and business ideas to buyers and investors at ‘Startup.Smart Launch’ sessions.”

Among the Houseware Fair’s start-up exhibitors is Hong Kong brand Maxcare, whose self-developed, space-saving mini electric gym bike Bicit is equipped with a dedicated game app allowing users to compete with friends online. Another start-up exhibitor at the Houseware Fair and Gifts & Premium Fair, Taiwan designer brand Arky Design, has developed an array of smart products with support from crowdfunding. Among them is the Herb&Fish CONNECT, a trendy household aquaponics decoration incorporating smart technology, enabling users to control its LED light and monitor the water temperature through a mobile app.

Houseware Fair -- All about “L.I.F.E”
The 33^rd edition of the Hong Kong Houseware Fair – the largest trade fair of its kind in Asia – is expected to welcome about 2,300 exhibitors from 25 countries and regions. Given last year’s enthusiastic response, the fair’s main theme will continue to be “L.I.F.E”, which stands for its four major themed zones: Lifestyle, Interior, Feast and Enrich. To highlight these themes, the HKTDC will collaborate with NellyRodi, a well-known Paris-based trend-forecasting agency, to present four trend concept displays. A trend seminar will also be organised to unveil houseware trends for summer 2019.

Zones under the “Lifestyle” theme will include the Hall of Elegance, World of Fine Dining, World of Fine Décor, Creative Arts & Cultural Crafts and Green Living. The Hall of Elegance will showcase, among others, renowned Japanese brand Kai with its “Q Sharpener”, a knife sharpener with suction cups at the bottom enabling users to sharpen a knife with just one hand. Despite its small size, it comes equipped with both fine- and coarse-grained slots.

“Interior” will comprise the Interior Décor, Festive Décor and Best of ASEAN zones, as well as Group Pavilions, where exquisite decorations will be found.

“Feast” will feature a vast array of tasteful cooking and dining tools across six zones: Tableware, Wine Tools & Accessories, Kitchenware & Gadgets, Home Appliances, HORECA (hotel, restaurant, and cafe supplies) and Coffee Alley.

“Enrich” will house such zones as Startup Zone, World of Pet Supplies, Homepedia, Baby Products, Bath, Beauty & Healthcare, Home Cleaning & Laundry, Storage Solutions, Outdoor & Gardening. Meanwhile, the World of Building & Hardware will return this year to present an extensive range of kitchenware, bathroom wares, quality building materials, hardware and DIY tools from well-known brands including Bosch and Swiss Military.

Houseware and Home Textiles fairs to create synergy
Held concurrently with the Houseware Fair, the HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair will feature about 300 exhibitors from nine countries and regions, with new participation from Pakistan. Nantong city of the Chinese mainland’s Jiangsu province, dubbed the “Hometown of Textiles”, and textiles organisations from India will return to set up group pavilions. In line with the Houseware Fair, the Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair will adopt an “Interior” theme and showcase a variety of home textiles, upholstery and furnishing products. Other spotlight zones include the Hall of Glamour, Bathroom & Kitchen Textiles and Baby & Bedroom Textiles.

World’s largest gifts fair to feature some 4,360 exhibitors
The 33^rd edition of the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair will welcome about 4,360 exhibitors from 34 countries and regions, making it the world’s largest event of its kind. The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association will set up the “Smart Design Village”, “Brand Oasis”, “Isle of Originality” and “Trendy Gifts” zones at the fair to showcase quality gifts and premiums from Hong Kong companies to global buyers. To further underscore the strength of Hong Kong design, selected winning pieces from the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards will be on display. To facilitate sourcing, the fair will feature various product zones. The premium zone, the Hall of Fine Designs, will gather more than 130 global brands, including B.Duck from Hong Kong, Sanrio from Japan, Germen writing instruments brand Kaweco and Italian stationery brand Moleskine. A new zone, the World of Camping & Outdoor Goods, will be launched to provide a variety of climbing packs, daypacks, diving goods, camping gear and sports items. Other product zones will include the World of Gift Ideas, Beauty, Health & Wellness, Fashion Accessories, Figurines & Decorations, Licensed Gifts, Travel Goods & Umbrellas, Startup Zone and Tech Gifts. The mainland, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea and the Philippines will set up group pavilions.

Popular zones to return at Printing & Packaging Fair
Taking place concurrently with the Gifts & Premium Fair will be the International Printing & Packaging Fair.  In its 13^th edition, the fair is expected to welcome more than 480 exhibitors from six countries and regions. Pavilions representing the Graphic Arts Association of Hong Kong and Korea will make their debut this year. The popular Innovative Retail Display Solutions and Printing and Packaging Solutions for Fashion & Accessories zones will also return. Catering to the strong global demand for luxury products, the De Luxe Zone will feature a wide range of high-end packaging products and solutions. Green Printing & Packaging Solutions, a zone that debuted last year, will cover added product categories this year, such as recyclable materials, sustainable products and services. Other thematic zones will include Digital Printing & 3D Printing and Food & Beverage Packaging Solutions.

Seminars to explore market trends
To help buyers explore the latest industry opportunities, a range of seminars will be organised at the four fairs to discuss hot industry issues. Seminars at the Gifts & Premium Fair will include “Top 5 Global Digital Consumer Trends in 2018”, at which representatives from Euromonitor International will share their market insights, experts from Pantone will discuss how colours impact design, and the US’s Promotional Products Association International will offer advice on capturing opportunities in the American market. At the Printing & Packaging Fair, seminars will examine how Hong Kong’s graphic arts industry can embrace the cultural and creative opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, as well as new developments in and applications of digital printing. At the Houseware Fair, renowned trend forecasting agency WGSN will predict upcoming lifestyle trends. The “International Kitchenette” demonstration will feature chefs preparing delicacies using cookware from the exhibitors, while baristas will give latte art performances. Buyers can also check out the latest products at Product Demo & Launch Pad and Startup.Smart Launch sessions, and meet with industry players at networking receptions to capture more business opportunities.

	TV host Jarvis Chow is master of ceremonies at a press conference held today at Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui to introduce four HKTDC fairs opening this month
	HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau says 300 buying missions comprising more than 14,500 companies have been organised to visit the four fairs
	Jeffrey Lam, Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Houseware Fair, Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair and Gifts & Premium Fair, says the World of Building & Hardware will return to the Houseware Fair this year to feature an extensive range of kitchenware, bathroom wares, quality building materials, hardware and DIY tools from well-known brands
	Brian Sun, Vice Chairman of The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association, says the new categories of “Home and Houseware” and “Gifts” have been introduced into the association’s Hong Kong Smart Design Awards this year to help more Hong Kong companies upgrade and transform, and to nurture more talents
	Dicky Choy, Chairman of the Graphic Arts Association of Hong Kong, says the 13th edition of the International Printing & Packaging Fair is expected to welcome more than 480 exhibitors from six countries and regions
	A product showcase at Harbour City presents the fairs’ highlight products and winning pieces from the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards to the public from 10-12 April
	This mini gym bike Bicit comes from Maxcare Trading Ltd, a Hong Kong exhibitor participating in the Houseware Fair’s Startup Zone. Aimed to promote entrepreneurship, the Startup Zone will return to both the Houseware and Gifts & Premium fairs this year.
	Houseware Fair exhibitor J-Tex (HK) Co Ltd features its Hallmark Bedding Set made of Tencel, which is soft, breathable, and less prone to wrinkles
	Gifts & Premium Fair exhibitor The Amazing Chocolate Workshop presents the “Chocolate Tools Gift Box” filled with tool-shaped chocolates
	The Massivit 1800 3D Printer, from Print & Packaging Fair exhibitor Media by Phone Co, is capable of super-size 3D printing

Fair Information:

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Hong Kong Houseware Fair, Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair

Agnes Wat                 Tel: (852) 2584 4554 Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair

Katherine Chan         Tel: (852) 2584-4537  Email: Katherine.cm.chan@hktdc.org
Sunny Ng                   Tel: (852) 2584 4357 Email: sunny.sl.ng@hktdc.org

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.