Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair, Hong Kong International Stationery Fair and HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show, last from January 9 to 12, gathering some 3,300 global exhibitors, and attracted a total of close to 120,000 buyers, creating a vibrant atmosphere at the venue.
A wide range of innovative products was showcased at the Toys & Games Fair, Baby Products Fair and Stationery Fair to meet the sourcing needs of buyers. The Toys & Games Fair featured the Smart-Tech Toys zone, which showcased various toys and games applying innovative technologies, such as the increasingly popular augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies as well as products operated via mobile apps.
In response to the increasing demand for STEM toys, this year’s Toys & Games Fair introduced a new STEM Toys Products Display to help visitors check out the latest educational toys designed to strengthen the learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Over at the Baby Products Fair, the Baby Tech zone drew a lot of interest from visitors. Baby Tech zone is highlight of the fair, gathers 22 exhibitors of trendy products including those that incorporate high tech and smart home elements. Other special zones include Disposable Baby Products, Baby Learning Toys, Baby Food and Healthcare Products, Baby Bedding Items and Furniture, Baby Fashion Avenue, Baby Gift Sets and Souvenirs, Feeding, Nursing and Maternity Products, Nursery Electrical Appliances as well as Strollers and Gear.
The 17th Hong Kong International Stationery Fair, jointly organised by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., features five themed zones, including DIY Supplies, Gift Stationery, Kids & School, Pen & Paper and Smart Office. Over 250 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions are showcasing art supplies, kids’ stationery, school stationery supplies, paper products and printing, office supplies, DIY supplies, promotional stationery and more.
The HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show is taking place alongside the Toys & Games Fair, Baby Products Fair and International Stationery Fair, generating more cross-sector business opportunities.
Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair 2017
The 43rd edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair features a record of more than 2,100 exhibitors from 42 countries and regions, forming the largest event of its kind in Asia, and the second-largest in the world. Among the many exhibitors are newcomers from Bangladesh, Bulgaria and Denmark.
Six group pavilions from the Chinese mainland, Chinese Taiwan, Korea, Spain, the UK, together with the “World of Toys” pavilion featuring mainly European exhibitors, are mounted at the fair this year to present a wide variety of toys and games from around the world. Among them, the UK pavilion has doubled its exhibition space with 17 exhibitors, offering buyers more selections. The signature Brand Name Gallery gathers over 220 renowned brands from 15 countries and regions, such as 4M, Bburago, Eastcolight, Hape, VTech, as well as new exhibitors including the Japanese building block brand nanoblock.
The Smart-Tech Toys zone showcases various toys and games applying innovative technologies, such as the increasingly popular AR and VR technologies and products operated via mobile apps. As the demand for STEM toys grows, a new STEM Toys Products Display is set up at the fair to help visitors check out the latest educational toys. Two new zones, Pet Toys and Fireworks, also debut at the fair. Pet Toys zone showcases toys and daily supplies for pets, while the Fireworks zone introduces display shells, firecrackers, toy fireworks as well as stage fireworks suitable for use in different events.
The signature Brand Name Gallery will feature over 220 prestigious brands. Local exhibitor Soap Studio Co Ltd collaborated with renowned artist “b.wing” to present a brand new “A” Family series, featuring superheroes from the DC Comics Justice League, such as Batman, Superman and Harley Quinn, etc.
A new Pet Toys zone will be introduced to cater to the increasing demand, bringing in toys and daily supplies tailor-made for pets. Asder Electronic Co. Ltd from Taiwan will display CatDot, an interactive laser pet toy designed with various modes for selection including fast mode and slow mode. When it is placed on the floor or table, the cat will chase the laser beam emitted which moves in a circle.
AR Application LLC. from the US will introduce a fun educational App called Animal World With Elfi in the Smart-Tech Toys zone. Showing the game cards to the smart device, children can see the animated animals come to life in 3D with virtual or augmented reality, learn more about animal names and their interesting facts.
In the World of Sports zone, a Chinese mainland exhibitor Miller Technology (Tianjin) Company Limited will bring in DanDan D1 Balance Car. Equipped with cutting-edge aerospace balancing technology, users can navigate the terrain freely with simple adjustment of the body gesture. It also enables smart management via mobile phones with a Bluetooth connection, coupled with a range of personal settings, allowing the user to create a customised balance car.
Hong Kong Baby Products Fair 2017
The 8th HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair hosts a record of about 540 exhibitors from 27 countries and regions, with first-time exhibitors from Qatar and Turkey. This year, the Korean Pavilion has scaled up over 80 per cent to bring in 32 renowned Korean brands, such as I-Angel which will be presenting the world’s first all-in-one hipseat carrier plus baby carrier called MIRACLE. The hidden cushion comes along can minimise the pressure on mother’s waist, while the leg belt can be adjusted according to the baby’s growth and position, ensuring a stable and comfortable sitting position for baby.
In light of the surging demand for fashionable baby products, the Brand Name Gallery will showcase close to 50 renowned brands. Local exhibitor Gift Concept Products Limited will display a rocket-shape Feeding Spoon Dispenser made of non-toxic materials, with a soft spoon that can prevent any harm to baby’s gum. Product size is designed to facilitate single hand operation, parents can therefore feed their babies by simply squeezing the rocket. Its high-temperature resistance also enables direct reheat in the microwave, making feeding more relaxed and convenient.
Smart-tech baby products has now become the trend. In the “Baby Tech” zone, buyers can find the Faucet Extender with Timer and Thermometer from Cotronic Technology Ltd, which is tailored to help children wash their hands at ease. It can automatically measure the water temperature and the time children spent on washing their hands when water passes through. LED lights will be used to alert the parents when the water temperature reaches 39°C so as to prevent skin burnt. Another local exhibitor Little Nobleman Technology Limited will bring in Milk Temperature Monitor. By placing the milk bottle onto the mat, it can automatically monitor the temperature of the liquid inside, making it easier for parents to prepare formula milk with the right temperature for baby.
Hong Kong International Stationery Fair 2017
The 17th Hong Kong International Stationery Fair, jointly organised by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., features five themed zones, including DIY Supplies, Gift Stationery, Kids & School, Pen & Paper and Smart Office. Over 250 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions are showcasing art supplies, kids’ stationery, school stationery supplies, paper products and printing, office supplies, DIY supplies, promotional stationery and more.
The 17th edition of the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair will gather over 250 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions, with Bangladesh, Finland, India, the Netherlands and Spain as new comers. Chinese Taiwan, Korea and Thailand will set up pavilions to showcase their latest products.
The fair includes five product zones, namely DIY Supplies, Gift Stationery, Kids & School, Pen & Paper and Smart Office for effective and easy sourcing.
Ningbo Lesda Stationery Co Ltd from the Chinese mainland will display the Sanri Bear 4D Art Set, which is an interactive educational product with augmented reality (AR) application. Children can paint characters and backgrounds on the colouring templates. With just a simple scan by a smart device with the “4D painting app”, the character will appear on the device screen and children can interact with the character. This feature helps develop their interest in learning and cultivate their creativity.
Another product that also helps children to develop their artistic talent is the Strawberry Eggmiss Bag by EGGMAN® brought by French exhibitor La Compagnie BMC. Children can design and personalise their own backpack with colourful plastic blocks.
Goeunbit Co., Ltd from Korea will showcase the Chocolate Crayon which is made of chocolate, food additives registered on the Korean Food Standards Codex and non-toxic dyes. The crayons are safe and convenient for children and infants. Their hands will be less smeared by these crayons as less colouring powder will be generated during usage.
Kokuyo Company Limited, one of the largest stationery manufacturers in Japan, will present Good Design Award 2016 winning product – Dotliner glue tape roller. Adopting the concept of correction tape, the handy tool ensures wrinkle-free sticking and uniform application. The glue is strongly adhesive and acid-free so as to maintain the original colour of papers and photos.
The challenges and business opportunities of the stationery industry under the digital age are spotlighted at today’s seminar “Unfold Opportunities for Retail Digital Age” with representatives from DimBuy and Pinkoi sharing their insights. Another key seminar tomorrow, “A Glimpse into the Forthcoming Design Trend”, will analyse stationery design and market trends. Heavyweight speakers include the “Stationery King”, Masayuki Takabatake, the three-year winner of the Japanese variety show “TV Champion”; an expert from one of Japan’s biggest stationery brands KOKUYO; and a moderator from city’super.
Hong Kong International Licensing Show 2017
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 15th Hong Kong International Licensing Show, the world’s second-largest and Asia’s largest event of its kind. The licensing industry is diversifying. Properties now include such categories as lifestyle and fashion, characters, animation, edutainment, art and culture and food and beverage. Such widespread applicability suggests that the licensing industry will become more vibrant with keen demand for related supporting services.
Hong Kong’s proximity to the Chinese mainland, robust legal system, sound intellectual property protection, far-reaching business connections and deep pool of global IP professionals make Hong Kong an ideal strategic base for international brands and top licensors to capture Asian as well as global licensing opportunities.
Six group pavilions from the Chinese mainland, Chinese Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand have joined this year’s show. Thanks to strong government-level support, the scale of these pavilions has also been expanded.
This year’s Hong Kong International Licensing Show features a record of more than 370 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions. More than 900 brands and properties are on display. The world’s top licensors and brands, including Caterpillar, Warner Bros, Sanrio, MTV, Nickelodeon, Rainbow, Rovio, Smiley, 20th Century Fox, and leading global licensing agents such as IMG, LMCA and Global Icons, are exhibiting, with the aim of expanding their Asian business.
Participation from the mainland has set a record this year, with more than 111 companies coming to the fair. China’s Ministry of Culture is once again organising the Chinese mainland pavilion, featuring more than 80 companies including those from Beijing, Guangdong, Sichuan, and Shaanxi companies.
Activities
During the fair period, a series of events were organised to build industry connections and exchange insights into the toys and games market. At the seminar “The New Epoch of Virtual Toys”, industry experts spoke about opportunities offered by VR and AR technologies. Ned Ward, Head of Sales and Marketing of VR Entertainment Ltd., thought that the increased immersiveness of AR and VR brought about a “double wow effect” for games and toys. He said the increasing variety of themes including fishing, baseball, racing, and joystick control will make these high-tech products more attractive to consumers. Other speakers at the seminar included Christopher Byrne, EVP Content Director of TTPM and Gary Man, Founder of Hedgehog Design.
Under the theme “Grasp the Chance: What’s New in the Market and Our Industry?”, the Hong Kong Toys Industry Conference 2017 featured a number of international experts from Euromonitor, Hong Kong Toys Council, JD Worldwide and Alpha Group, who explored the market trends and opportunities around the world, especially those related to the Chinese mainland.
Hong Kong Toys and Baby Products Awards
To provide more promotional channels and facilitate industry cooperation, a number of product demonstrations and launch pads, as well as buyer forums are organised. The Hong Kong Toys and Baby Products Awards 2017 Presentation Ceremony takes place followed by winning products presentation. The Awards honour outstanding toys and baby products with exquisite designs, creativity and high quality, as well as promote the industry’s distinguished achievements. The winning products are on display at Hall 3F-G concourse during the fair period, promoting innovative designs to global buyers.
HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels.