In-Depth Cooperation With Canton Fair For The Long Term: Casey Loo
During the 131st Canton Fair held in April 2022, an event “Canton Fair Cloud Promotion RCEP Special Session For Home Furnishing Industry + Business-Matching” brought together leaders of the RCEP home furnishing industry. It received the participation of 14 national and regional industry associations from countries such as Japan, South Korea and ASEAN countries as well as top furniture companies in the region. Participating foreign importers were matched with suppliers from Anxi, Fujian and Shunde, Guangdong, two national home furnishing industry clusters in China.
“ASEAN buyers have been eager to continue close cooperation with the Canton Fair following the successful business-matching program”, says Casey Loo, co-organiser of the online program and the president of APS Media Group, responding to an interview with reporters. At present, he is working closely with Canton Fair to make preparations for the next event. And he is full of confidence: “The 132nd Canton Fair will continue to hold the RCEP special online business-matching meetings, I strongly believe the results will be even better!”
Canton Fair – The showcase for “Made in China”
FurnitureAndFurnishing.com, a leading B2B magazine serving the global furniture export-import industry was first published in 2003 by APS Media Group. Founded by Casey Loo, it remains the only trade magazine in Asia that focuses on empowering Asian furniture and promoting it to the global markets.
Rectification was the first word that came to mind when asked about the original intention of starting FurnitureAndFurnishing.com. “I was then an associate publisher managing a stable of trade magazines, one of which was on furniture manufacturing technology. For years, I have observed the evolution of the region’s furniture industry. While the industry developed by leaps and bounds, its image remained largely that of an industry plagued with poor quality copies. Buyer from around the world came only for the low prices. Over time, ‘cheap copies’ became synonymous for Asian furniture.”
“As someone with good knowledge of the industry, I don’t want the rest of the world to continue this misunderstanding, so I wanted to start a publication that will show the rest of the world the true strengths and qualities of the region and correct that wrong perception.”
China grew to become the world’s largest furniture producer and exporter. Casey Loo knew the country is the best reflection of the high manufacturing standards of Asian furniture. At the same time, he also learned that Canton Fair gathers the best and greatest variety of products from all corners of the country, and he needed to see it with his own eyes. Thus in 2001, Casey Loo set foot in Guangzhou for the Canton Fair and the fate with the Canton Fair began from then on.
Casey Loo was surprised when he first visited the fair – the mega show had its halls filled to the brim with people, and it was difficult moving around in the crowd. When he finally made it to the furniture hall, the dazzling array of furniture and home décor products made a lasting impression. “It was all worth it! I not only witnessed the prowess of China’s furniture manufacturing industry at the Canton Fair, but also saw a one-stop shop of all products you can possible imagine.” Casey Loo still remembers vividly. “However, I felt a slight sense of disappointment as exhibitors were busy focusing on export sales and few had time for in-depth conversations with a magazine publisher.”
Nevertheless, Casey Loo’s trip was worthwhile. He not only witnessed the vastness of China’s furniture industry but also met many Chinese furniture manufacturers as well as trade professionals from all over the world. Contacts with the Canton Fair were made since.
Cloud Experience That Benefits The World
Since the first encounter with “China’s No 1 Exhibition”, there has been unceasing flow of news on Canton Fair. In the meantime FurnitureAndFurnishing.com has entrenched itself in the industry with growing influence. The magazine also started organising the International Furniture Leadership Awards, often referred to as the “Oscar of the Furniture Industry”.
In 2020, the Canton Fair launched online exhibitions to continue its services to the many industries it supports. This became an important measure for China to meet epidemic prevention and control requirements and foreign trade development objectives. During this period, the Canton Fair took advantage of its huge database and held a number of successful matchmaking activities focusing on multiple industries, with remarkable results. Casey Loo, who have worked closely with CIFF fair for a good number of years was recommended to the Canton Fair. In the process, APS Media Group took on the role of a co-organiser of the “Canton Fair Cloud Promotion RCEP Special Session For Home Furnishing Industry + Business-Matching”, a event that was a huge success.
The success of the last cooperation has once again refreshed Casey Loo’s understanding of the Canton Fair and “Made in China”. “With the high-quality development of Chinese enterprises, more and more better quality products have emerged at the Canton Fair, in turn reinforcing the ‘Made in China’ reputation.” At the same time, he is hopeful that the extension of the 132nd Canton Fair online exhibition will greatly benefit both exhibitors and buyers as the number of exhibitors is huge, and buyers cannot fully cover all that in a short period of time.
“In short, it is an indisputable fact that the Canton Fair has a profound impact on all industries the world over. As far as the home furnishing industry is concerned, no matter the latest designs, the latest materials, the latest technologies, etc can be found at the Canton Fair. Such trends lead the development of the industry, and even affect the development pattern of the industry to some extent.” Casey Loo said, “Therefore, those in the industry hope to continue to cooperate deeply with the Canton Fair, and so does APS Media. We hope to work closely with the Canton Fair.”
