Making business easier was what this year’s Australian International Sourcing Fair (AISF), co-located with the China Chamber of Clothing & Textiles Expo was all about? Bigger than ever before with more products in each category and many previous exhibitors returning for the third year in a row the 2012 Fair showcased fashion, footwear, textiles, home wares, leather and sportswear products.
With a total of 2,700 attendees over the three days, AISF was 8% up on its overall visitor attendance from 2011 with an increase by 8% of revisits. The number of exhibitors was over 230, with the China Chamber of Clothing and Textiles also featuring over 250 exhibitors.
Vertically integrated business Giza Spinning and Weaving from Egypt who specialize in spinning, knitting, dyeing, printing, yarn dyeing, washing, appliqués, and embroidery are a leading apparel manufacturer and exporter to the markets of USA and Europe.
They were very happy to have presented at AISF - ''We have met with many visitors and discussed the business possibilities together… we are thinking positively to keep our existence in the coming fairs to be much closer to the market requirements” said Mahmoud Salem, their Senior Merchandiser.
Hemant Bisht from Neeshaan Overseas, India was also happy to have participated - “The response we got was overwhelming and we would definitely like to participate again”.
Stand out exhibitors included Krishnaa Crafts (India) who presented hand-made exclusive leather personal items and accessories, Gold Blend (India) who supply ancient and intricately designed exquisite home textile embroidered items including to the English royal family, Green Cotton (Thailand) showing their high quality, unbleached, undyed and 100% cotton contemporary apparel and home textiles, Vason and Vasons (India) showing stylish contemporary rugs and floor coverings and Kanodia Global (India) showing stylish home furnishing items including cushions and throws.
The Indonesia Pavilion captured loads of interest from attendees with a beautifully designed custom pavilion featuring stylish jewellery, apparel and contemporary batik designs. Other Fair highlights included a runway program featuring intimate apparel, full to the brim seminar presentations and lots of business written at the fair, with signs for a bigger and better show in 2013! The 2013 event will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre 13 – 15 November.
