Recently, I have a talk with Chen Huangman, secretary-general of Guangdong Toy Association (GDTA) about new arrangement of toy fair next year.

TOY INDUSTRY（T）: The 20th session of Guangzhou Int’l Toys and Gifts Fair will be held in Guangzhou Jinhan Exhibition Center from May 5 to 7 next year. The days have been changed from original April. Actually, people get used to participate in the event in each April, and it has become an appointment for toy makers and merchants. But why you have such a change?

Chen Huangman (C): It is determined after our deep consideration and consultation among various aspects.

Next year will see the open of the 20th session of Guangzhou Toy Fair. Rooted from the production base, it has evolved into the most significant toy show in domestic China. Its active role in promoting circulation between production and sales, as well as creating image of brand has been generally accepted by the whole industry.

As it is widely known, China is the largest base for toy production and export, which contributes over 70 percent of global toys. Last year, Guangdong registered export of USD14.06 billion on toys, making up near 80 percent of national amount. It is a right time to be retuned towards export market.

During these two years, organizers have confirmed the developing strategy of “attaching equal importance to domestic and foreign business, expanding emerging overseas market ”. We not only continue to perfect sales in domestic market, but also cement promotion on overseas countries. We are trying to introduce our best makers and best products to outside world.

Next year, the fair will be held in May. Such an adjustment is made to avoid coincidence of Easter holiday, which is highly recognized in western countries, as well as other counties and regions that are strongly influenced by western culture, such as Hong Kong and Singapore. In these countries and regions, people and companies trend to take a vacation.

In fact, last year, the over 1,600 copies of feedback was sent by overseas buyers, who agreed to participate in the 19th Guangzhou Int’l Toys and Gifts Fair. However, only 700 people arrived. Afterwards, it is found that, lots of buyers had not noticed at first that the fair day coincide with their holiday so they had to give up the schedule in China.

T: The new business days are in Labor Day, a long vacation in China. Would it be inconvenient for domestic exhibitors and buyers?

C: We have consulted with exhibitors and domestic buyers before we make the decision. Actually, the final conclusion is new time table will benefit the development of the fair.

Firstly, scheduled in early May, Guangzhou Toy Fair will be closely linked with the second phrase of Spring session of Canton Fair. Avoiding the embarrassment with Easter holiday, it would attract more overseas visitors and expand market.

Secondly, Guangzhou is not a tourist city. Lots of people would go out for travel and back to hometown from May 1st, or even April 30th. Around May 6th or 7th, it would be a peak for back flow. Preparation and exhibition days are scheduled from May 3rd to 7tth, so exhibitors and buyers would not meet the traffic jam. In addition, hotel accommodation would see lower rate after the Canton Fair.