Event seen as lifetime opportunity

Zhou Shanmao, president of a household product manufacturer in Guilin, found an opportunity of a lifetime at the Canton Fair. 

When he first took part in the event in 1993, he was shocked by the lively atmosphere at the scene. He recalled that at that time, the fair was filled with people and new orders were signed everywhere. 

“Our company had only booked half a booth,” he said. “And we had to move our exhibits on our shoulders to the booth upstairs.” 

However, on the first day, they received an order worth nearly $10,000, enabling their product to be sold to Japan via Hong Kong. The result was totally unexpected. 

Such exciting moments continued to appear during the following sessions. To help customers place orders, Zhou and his colleagues even moved a printer to the exhibition site. 

Zhou’s first job was a translator in a foreign trade company. After participating in the fairs for several sessions, Zhou’s experience managing foreign trade business became more and more rewarding. 

In 1998, Zhou resigned from his company and started his own business. To accumulate overseas customer resources and explore international markets, Zhou chose to continue participating in the fair. 

It was hard for his company to participate in the event the first time in 1998, but an order obtained at the event helped Zhou made more than 300,000 yuan ($45,941) in profit. 

Zhou said that sum he earned at the exhibition was “a lifetime fortune”. 

Innovation is the driving force for enterprises, Zhou said. Enterprises must keep pace with the times and continuously improve and innovate their technology, product quality and ability in management and marketing. 

“With the help of Canton Fair, our company has accumulated high-quality customers and grown constantly,” he said. “In the future, we will make better use of the platform and strive to win a broader international market.”