PPAI leaders are in China this week to attend and participate in the 33rd Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, which runs Friday through Sunday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, joins PPAI Board Chair Dale Denham, MAS+, and Immediate Past Chair Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS+, to speak at the show, meet with industry groups and visit industry companies in the area.

On Saturday, Bellantone and Denham will present an education session on the state of the U.S. marketplace and business opportunities. They will also highlight the importance of Asian manufacturers working through the established supplier and distributor channel in the U.S. market—particularly the compliance, safety, value, creative and warehousing benefits it brings—and U.S. industry professionals’ understanding of the market and its trends.

In 2017, the fair drew 47,000 buyers from 138 countries and regions. This year attendees will be met by more than 4,300 exhibitors from around the globe. Various participating countries and regions will also establish group pavilions, namely the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Macau, Japan, Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Italy and more. Also, the Hong Kong Exporters' Association is organizing a pavilion showcasing local enterprises in three major zones: Smart Design Village, Isle of Originality and Brand Oasis.

Alongside pavilions focusing on a range of product and business categories, from camping and outdoor goods to fine design and startup exhibitors, the fair also includes product demonstrations, networking events, seminars and forums. The show is produced by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

While in Hong Kong, Bellantone, Denham and Tomasini will attend a meeting of the World Advertising Gift Exchange (WAGE) to share the Association’s perspectives on the state of the promotional products industry. WAGE is a global network comprised of 20 international promotional products companies. Jo-an Lantz, MAS, executive vice president at Geiger and a past PPAI board chair, is president of the group. The PPAI leaders will also join a meeting of the Switzerland-based International Partnership for Premiums & Gifts (IPPAG), an international consortium of companies specializing in promotional products.