With close to 3,500 visitors walking through the doors of the International Convention Centre in Sydney over the course of the three-day event, the Sydney edition of the Global Sourcing Expo was a resounding success.
“We’re thrilled to share that the Sydney event attracted major decision-makers, trade buyers and agents, leading manufacturers and brands as well as major retail groups and wholesalers,” says Marie Kinsella, CEO, International Exhibition & Conference Group and organiser of the Global Sourcing Expo.
“Key trade visitors included representatives from household brand names such as Kmart, Target, Asics, Aldi, TK Maxx, Bras N Things and THE ICONIC,” she adds. “A common observation we heard from these visitors is that the Expo was a great opportunity to meet suppliers, see and feel the quality of their products first-hand without having to travel far and possibly return disappointed.”
The Sydney Expo attracted 435 exhibitors from a whopping 19 countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Also in attendance were prominent global trade organisations such as the Federation of Indian Export Organisations and the Export Promotion Bureau Bangladesh.
Co-located with the China Clothing, Textile and Accessories Expo, many of the attendees were designers, wholesalers, importers, manufacturers and those working for both independent retailers and retail chains.
“The Global Sourcing Expo is intended to serve as a kind of global matchmaking platform, where exhibitors and visitors alike can connect, sample products, establish business relationships and learn about new trends from industry experts,” comments Marie.
Global Sourcing Seminars provided fashion-focused food for thought
Industry experts were out in full force at the Global Sourcing Seminars, a feature event of both the Sydney show and the upcoming Global Sourcing Expo in Melbourne in November.
The Seminars featured ten sessions hosted by industry thought-leaders and changemakers, with Patty Huntington, Features & Fashion News Director of Harper’s BAZAAR Australia, as the official MC across all three days of presentations.
Highlights of the program included three panel discussions, with esteemed Panel Chairs in Giovanni Pino, the CEO of Australia’s largest sourcing organisation, Sourci and Danielle Kent, Project Director of the Australian Fashion Council. Attendees flocked to the ‘Opportunities and Challenges amidst Economic Headwinds’ seminar hosted by Paul Zahra, CEO of the Australian Retailers Association (partner of the Global Sourcing Expo) and to hear from Managing Director of Kmart Group, Ian Bailey on the ‘Importance of Brand Identity in Relationships and Expansion.’
Side by side with the Sourcing Seminars , attendees were able to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge offered by Carol Hanlon, CEO, TCF Australia & BEC National in her two export and import workshops.
“79% of visitors that attended the Global Seminar Series said that the Program met or exceeded their expectations, and we look forward to providing the same high calibre of speakers and thought-provoking sessions in Melbourne later this year,” says Marie.
The Expo returns to Melbourne in November
The Global Sourcing Expo has picked up exciting momentum, with preparations for the Melbourne edition (from 21-23 November at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre) well underway.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to bring the Expo to more visitors by expanding to Sydney and are thrilled at how well-received this decision has been. Melbourne will always be particularly special to us as the birthplace of the Global Sourcing Expo and the unofficial Fashion Capital of Australia,” Marie explains.
The Melbourne event is co-located with the highly-anticipated Footwear & Accessories Show, where attendees can discover more than 150 global footwear and accessories suppliers and manufacturing partners showing their latest collections and capabilities.
“Visitor registrations for the Melbourne Global Sourcing Expo is now open and with the Sydney show setting the bar so high, we expect this year’s event to be bigger and better than ever before,” Marie concludes.
