Created by one of Australia’s most experienced international trade show organisers International Exhibition and Conference Group Pvt Ltd (IEC Group), Global Sourcing Shows Australia has launched to bring together premier platforms for global sourcing in Australia. International Sourcing Expo Australia, co-located with the Footwear and Leather Show Australia and China Clothing Accessories Textiles Expo is Australia’s premier international sourcing show for apparel, textiles, fashion accessories, footwear and leather products.
The three shows, which exclusively showcase international companies across home and lifestyle products as well as apparel, accessories and footwear, continue to be managed by IEC Group but are expected to have greater breadth and reach to international markets under the banner of Global Sourcing Shows Australia. Into its tenth year, the three-day trade only event will be held in 2019 from November 12 – 14 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
VISITOR SNAPSHOT
The fashion and footwear trade stepped out in record numbers at Australia’s leading sourcing expo for apparel, accessories and textiles in 2018, reflecting the industry’s endurance in a changing and competitive sector.
63%
of visitors were from Victoria
31%
from other cities in Australia
6%
from overseas
89%
of visitors discovered new products/suppliers at the event
76%
of visitors had final decision- making authority, with an additional 21 percent; making recommendations to influence the final decision
31%
of visitors cited their business import activities would increase as a result of attending the International Sourcing Expo Australia
IEC Group CEO Marie Kinsella says there is a major opportunity for international manufacturers and suppliers to penetrate the Australasia region and expand their business footprint with Global Sourcing Expos Australia.
“Huge opportunities exist in Australia for organisations from overseas to do business here. As a wealthy nation and one that is known as a really good place to do business, Australia presents an attractive value proposition for manufacturers and suppliers. Starting with three established shows, Global Sourcing Shows Australia provides a trusted platform for international businesses when they are looking to grow their market in Australia and New Zealand,” Ms Kinsella said.
Further opportunities exist to help global businesses connect with Australian and New Zealand markets according to Ms Kinsella, and Global Sourcing Shows Australia will consider other industry events to support this opportunity.
“Over time, we will explore opportunities in other sectors for new shows. There is enormous potential for Global Sourcing Expos to utilise our knowledge and experience in connecting suppliers with markets in Australasia across other sectors. In the short term, we are focussed on building success in our existing portfolio of long-established shows and launching Global Home + Lifestyle,” Ms Kinsella said.
The Expo is organised by International Exhibition & Conference Group Pty Ltd (IEC Group) on behalf of International Expo Group.Senior management have more than 60 years combined experience in international event management, focused on bringing international suppliers and trade buyers together. With a strong background in the apparel and textile sector in Australia and Asia, IEC Group Pty Ltd can assist you to fast track and optimise your sourcing and market entry operations and connect you with the buyers or suppliers that will help your business grow.
Highlights of 2018
The 2018 International Sourcing Expo and co-located Footwear and Leather Expo Australia saw the growth of this large-scale event known as Australia’sdedicated destination forinternational apparel and textilesourcing. Due to the scale andbreadth of international participation, it is the leading sourcingeventacross South East Asia for tradeprofessionals.
The 2018 event attracted majordecision makers, trade buyers andagents, leading manufacturers andbrands as well as major retail groupsand wholesalers. Exhibitors were able to reach more new trade buyers than previous years with a 10 per cent increase in visitor numbers, allowing them to establish linkswithin the lucrative Australian andNew Zealand market.
A global business matching program was introduced in 2018 providing more opportunities for both visitors and exhibitors alike to create meaningful meetings and communication before the expo.
The VIP Buyer Program attracted larger participation than ever before by Australia’s leading brands and trade buyers. The program provides incentives for major trade buyers and group buyers to attend the event. The success of this program was particularly strong and will continue to be a major driver for success in 2019 and beyond.
The 2018 Global Sourcing Seminars were our strongest yet and were heavily attended by exhibitors and visitors of the show. Presented by industry experts the comprehensive three-day program provides a wealth of information about international sourcing and fashion trends, as well as incisive presentations about Australian and international fashion and apparel capabilities. It also featured presentations and panel discussions relating to global trends in sustainability, the regulatory environment and information about risk minimisation and development of sourcing capability. As a highly valued part of the Show, they are of great importance to visitors and exhibitors alike.
Interview with Marie Kinsella, CEO IEC Group
What’s your strategy for maintaining IEC’s position as a leading organiser?
At IEC, we embrace the fast-pace of change in the sector, particularly around technology as it greatly enhances the visitor experience at our shows. Key to our success is having a strong focus on developing relationships internationally as well as using our expertise to determine product suitability for the Australian and New Zealand markets.
IEC is a particularly strong player in the region. Is IEC looking to put its foot or involvement in the other or emerging markets?
IEC aims to be the strongest global exhibition organiser in Australia and has this year launched Global Sourcing Shows Australia to bring together premier platforms for global sourcing in Australia – International Sourcing Expo Australia, Footwear and Leather Show Australia and Global Home + Lifestyle.
The three shows, which exclusively showcase international companies across home and lifestyle products as well as apparel, accessories and footwear, continue to be managed by IEC Group but are expected to have greater breadth and reach to international markets under the banner of Global Sourcing Shows Australia.
In June 2020, IEC is launching Global Home + Lifestyle which is set to become the premier platform in Australia for global sourcing in giftware, home décor and lifestyle products. Global Home + Lifestyle in co-located with China Clothing Textiles Accessories Expo and will occupy more than 8,000 sqm of gross floor space at Sydney’s premier event venue, International Convention Centre.
How do you think the exhibition industry will change over the next five years?
Over the next five years, the exhibition industry will be more interactive, particularly on the trade show floor to enhance the enjoyment of attending. Technology will bring buyers and sellers together beyond the three days at a show, allowing connections to remain and strengthen throughout the year.
What would you advise Indian footwear and leather products exhibitors on the forthcoming exhibition in Australia?
It’s important for those who attend to go out and look at the key retail stores while they are in Melbourne to get a greater depth of understanding of what is on trend and what it popular in Australia. While trends locally do follow those international, there is a uniqueness to Australia that is driven by our weather and culture. I encourage exhibitors to see that first hand while in Melbourne for International Sourcing Expo Australia.
Interview with Julie Holt, Global Exhibitions Director, IEC Group
How was the visitor traffic at the last years trade fair?
The fashion and footwear trade stepped out in record numbers in 2018. The show is Australia’s leading sourcing expo for apparel, accessories and textiles and the visitor numbers reflect the industry’s endurance in a changing and competitive sector. With visitor numbers 10.2% higher than previous years, and more VIP buyers in attendance, the expo delivered more than ever before.There were more than 4000 visits from large fashion retailers to niche fashion brands, start-up labels, online outlets and fashion designers looking to make valuable connections with potential and existing suppliers.
Visitors met with more than 720 manufacturers and agents exhibiting at the expo from 19 countries – China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, United States, Fiji, Australia, Turkey, South Africa, Taiwan, Nepal, Serbia, Italy, and Thailand.
Please share Australia’s Market size for leather and footwear products
The retail footwear category in Australia reached AUD 4.138 million in 2017. While there is positive growth in footwear categories for men, women and children, it is projected that women’s footwear will see a marginally higher growth than the other categories.
What kind workshops and seminars have you planned for the 2019 show
We are very excited to bring dynamic global trend direction into play with Fashion Snoops to ensure Australia sits at the forefront of what’s happening around the world. In 2019, Global Sourcing Seminars at International Sourcing Expo Australia will focus on the broad landscape of sourcing to create compelling knowledge sharing opportunities led by industry experts. Covering sustainability, transparency, IP and legal disputes, and sourcing strategy review, there is a seminar to suit every trade professional involved in sourcing – from sourcing managers at Australia’s large fashion retailers to niche fashion brands, online outlets and designers.
Exhibitors’ Views
INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Product line : Leathers& Shoes
Competitive Advantage : Consistent Quality and up to date innovation
USP : Specifically created collections for the Australian Market.
Specials : Organic sustainable fashion elements
ROYAL STEP INDIA
Product line : Women & Men LeatherShoes & Boot
Competitive Advantage : European designer
USP : European Inspired Collection
Specials : genuine leather shoes
SAYEE LEATHERS
Product line : Women handbags, Men – bags, wallets, travel goods.
Desktop accessories made of Leather
Competitive Advantage : Smaller production runs
USP : Global-inspired designs
Specials : Organic sustainable fashion elements
ARIHANT INTERNATIONAL
Product line : Industrial Leather – Hand Gloves, Guards and Garments.
Competitive Advantage : International Standard approved Industrial products
USP : Global-inspired designs
Specials : Specialized Industrial purpose products
New home and lifestyle show, Global Home + Lifestyle, will launch in June 2020 under Global Sourcing Shows Australia and is set to become the premier platform in Australia for global sourcing in giftware, home décor and lifestyle products. It will be the only trade show in the country to exclusively show international suppliers of home and lifestyle products.
The show will bring more than 300 global exhibitors to the International Convention Centre Sydney and is expected to attract approximately 3000 national and regional trade buyers including importers, speciality retailers, wholesalers, sourcing agents, interior designers and decorators, amongst others.
The first event to run under the Global Sourcing Shows Australia banner is International Sourcing Expo Australia and co-located Footwear & Leather Show, already firmly entrenched in the Australian market. The combined event at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in November is the most comprehensive global sourcing show in Australasia, unmatched with the scale and depth of regional participation.
Registration numbers at the International Sourcing Expo Australia and co-located Footwear & Leather Show Australia were up 10 per cent last year, with more than 4000 visits from large fashion retailers to niche fashion brands, start-up labels, online outlets and fashion designers looking to make valuable connections with potential and existing suppliers. Buyers and production managers toured the world’s apparel, accessories, textiles and footwear suppliers at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre over three days (20-22 November, 2018) without the need to travel overseas. Visitors met with more than 720 manufacturers and agents exhibiting at the expo from 19 countries – China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, United States, Fiji, Australia, Turkey, South Africa, Taiwan, Nepal, Serbia, Italy, and Thailand.A highlight of the event was the launch of Global Runway, where emerging and established designers from Indonesia.
IEC Group have a reputation for creating and producing successful global sourcing shows in Australia and the establishment of Global Sourcing Shows Australia as a larger portfolio and future direction will create additional value and opportunity through new market opportunities and interactive show features such as Global Sourcing Seminars, Global Business Matching, VIP Buyer Program, Global Runway and International Insights.
For more info: https://www.internationalsourcingexpo.com/visitor/whats-on/seminars/
