The best thing about the fair was the 'reverse sourcing' model applied at the event, facilitating both buying and selling via bi-directional trading. This method was different from any other fair I have attended before as it reverses the normal pattern by making all the buyers sit behind booth while the sellers go around hunting for targets. There was also a wide range of products at the fair, from consumer and medical goods to industrial supplies. 

Generally speaking, this kind of fair saves the buyer some time in not having to search for suppliers one by one, but the immense variety in products - which I originally considered a distinct advantage - made the fair look like a big grocery store. Given the limited space available, it would perhaps have been better to focus on a particular industry. From a sourcing point of view, it was hard if not impossible to identify good suppliers at the fair. Hence the hosts could consider setting parameters to filter suppliers by means of industrial rankings, sales volume or other standards, if they want to improve the fair and attract more buyers next year. 

For more information on China sourcing events or assistance with attending any event in China, visit The Beijing Axis' homepage.