Global Sourcing Expo (organised by boutique exhibition company, the International Expo Group) is Australia’s ultimate sourcing event, with editions in Sydney and Melbourne each year. It connects exhibitors from around the world with manufacturers, department stores, importers, wholesalers, retail chain stores, agents and others from throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Asia Pacific.
Launched more than a decade ago, the expo has evolved and grown to become a centrepiece of global sourcing in apparel and textiles sourcing in Australia. “The Expo is renowned for its focus on contemporary trends and challenges in global sourcing through the curation of a dynamic industry-led seminar program, and its continued focus on attracting quality suppliers to the show from countries and regions that are well known to attendees, as well as other sourcing hubs of interest,” comments Julie Holt, Global Exhibitions Director of the International Expo Group.
The upcoming Melbourne Expo, taking place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 19 to 21 November 2024, features the co-located Footwear and Accessories Show and the China Clothing Textiles Accessories Expo, as well as the Global Sourcing Seminars program. The event is set to provide an exciting showcase of over 900 exhibitors from around the world including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkiye, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Indonesia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Cambodia, Japan and more.
The expo has enjoyed significant growth acceleration in recent years, and Julie attributes this to the experience and market intelligence of the organising team, as well as its emphasis on the continuous building and refinement of an audience database. “Our research and curation capabilities go a long way in ensuring our seminar content is best-in-class,” she explains.
She goes on to say that partnerships with industry stakeholders and industry players, as well as dialogue with visitors are key to the development of the expo. “We aim to offer something new to visitors for each edition of the expo, be it through a new feature, panel discussions on hot topics, or the introduction of new sourcing regions or industry groups. We also recognise that the Australian market is a focus destination for manufacturers and suppliers in the sector. By building strong relationships with industry contacts, we ensure that they can enjoy strong participation in the Expo events”.
Strategic growth plans
This strategic approach has proved successful. Julie notes that while the COVID pandemic provided a short interruption to operations, her team noticed a positive increase in attendance from both visitors and exhibitors thereafter. “This upward trend has continued, with our most recent Sydney Show in June having achieved a 46% growth in visitor attendance. The pre-registration numbers for the upcoming Melbourne show are also very strong,” she says.
“The increasing demand from the Sydney market prompted the appetite of exhibitors keen to participate in both Sydney and Melbourne, and also clarified the opportunity to launch a second edition in Sydney each year. Through this biannual edition, we are further able to cater for a more defined seasonality across each show and assist both buyers and sellers to maintain contact with each other through the two in-person events each year”.
The Expo is able to provide expanded and enhanced supplier and sourcing content via the two event editions, with their distinct seminar programs. “We are finding significant momentum in the growth of the show and the ability to cater to a broader range of buyer needs, such as the major shift towards sustainability and mindful consumption. In response, the Expo now has more of a focus on mindful and responsible sourcing, as well as sustainability, differentiation, quality and functionality”.
Meeting the diverse needs of a dynamic audience
The Global Sourcing Expo visitor audience includes those who are just beginning their sourcing journey, those seeking to simplify their sourcing journey and those who want to scale their sourcing activities. Recognising that each visitor will have unique needs, the Expo aims to provide varied content in the seminar program.
“We may offer a seminar for the beginner, on the logistics of global sourcing for the beginner, while for the more experienced sourcing professional, we’ll offer a program on global certification trends or the influence of AI. In addition, we offer business matching for attendees, helping them find the type of products that they are seeking and connect with suppliers from a particular region. We can also connect visitors with industry representatives from the various trade bodies that participate in the expo,” says Julie.
Building partnerships for the future of the Expo
Looking ahead to the future of the Expo, Julie reiterates the value of its relationships with many of the apex industry organisations, both within Australia and beyond. “We will continue to explore and expand these partnerships so that Australian sourcing professionals and buyers can access companies that can meet their sourcing needs, without leaving Australia”.
The Expo also plans to expand its reach and relationships with other important industry partners in the apparel and textile space, and explore opportunities to connect at all levels of the market and supply chain. “Sourcing is not simply about buying and selling but also involves research, finance, accreditations, logistics and technology, and design cooperation. We are excited to continue developing the Expo, as a destination that can solve many problems for those involved in global sourcing and the supply chain,” concludes Julie.
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