Import trade fair launched
Written by Writer on Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
Import trade fair launched
High-end shoppers, importers the focus
CHADAMAS CHINMANEEVONG
Fairglam Co, a new Thai exhibition organiser, yesterday announced its first exhibition, aimed at withstanding the global economic downturn by focusing on importers and high-end consumers.
Passion and Fashion 2009 is to be held from Feb 5-8 at Impact Muang Thong Thani and will offer a worldwide range of products from foreign brands. Fairglam is investing 40 million baht in the trade fair, which will feature more than 2,000 booths in nine zones over 40,000 square metres.
Teck Bhasaeng-uraiporn, the Fairglam CEO, said the event would target importers and high-end customers, who still have purchasing power despite growing economic uncertainty.
While he described most of Thailand’s exhibitions as catering only to exporters, he said this event would be an opportunity for importers to improve their sales. He added that it would also benefit shoppers because some imported brands will be offering discounts between 30% and 80%.
Fairglam has set a budget of 20 million baht for promoting the exhibition, both above and below the line. It aims to attract 200,000 visitors and to generate 1.2 billion baht in sales from about 700 imported brands. It reports that around 30% of the exhibition space has already been booked.
Mr Teck said the exhibition would help Bangkok to be seen as a major shopping centre in Southeast Asia. The company intends to continue organising the fair every February.
Fairglam was established in the middle of this year with registered capital of one million baht. The company expects to generate revenue of 200 million baht next year and plans to organise at least two big exhibitions per year, including Passion and Fashion and another exhibition featuring unique designed products.
This second exhibition for designer products will be held from June 18-21 next year over 40,000 sq m at Impact Muang Thong Thani. For now, the company declined to give more information.
In addition, the company plans to attract exhibitions from overseas to be held in Thailand.
“To organise exhibitions in Thailand is very cheap compared with other countries in Asia Pacific,” said Mr Teck. “Moreover, the country has good products such as food, culture and hotels.”
Bangkok Post
Tuesday October 28, 2008
