Exhibitions and events are valuable for all businesses as they allow face-to-face communication and offer opportunities for networking. The number of trade fairs is steadily increasing worldwide as small businesses are finding potential new customers therein. With each passing year, thousands of trade shows across the globe, offer opportunities for both buyers and sellers.Myanmar has organized many trade fairs and has participated in many International trade exhibitions and events.
At the recently concluded trade event Offshore Technology Asia, held in Yangon, an exhibitor from Singapore said that the beauty of a trade show is that you can share your product or service with a pre-selected audience and build relationships with new customers. This event showcased products from more than 400 participants from global offshore industry including regulators, oilfield services companies, drilling contractors, engineering consulting, equipment & technical solution providers, investment banks & funds and legal firms in the Marine & Boat industry.
According to industry experts, Myanmar’s economic performance is one of the highest in South Asia. It has increased by more than 8.5% in the last 2 years. Key growth areas include energy, infrastructure, building & construction and the manufacturing industry.
The organizers of MYANENERGY’15 –an upcoming trade event in Yangon, citing the reasons to organize the event, say that even though the Government has implemented a number of power projects, electricity demand has exceeded supply. Therefore, renewable energy and energy-efficient electrical installation products are in huge demand. “Participating in a trade show is important. Trade shows offer a captive, interested audience of like-minded prospects and current customers right at your fingertips, and an efficient way to get more out of your money” said the organizer of the event. “Now more than ever participating in a trade show is important” opines Taiwan’s Chan Chao International, a first large-scale professional exhibition management corporation. For three decades now, the company has organized large-scale trade and consumer exhibitions in Taiwan and abroad. “Most trade shows encourage both delegates and exhibitors to establish a year-round working relationship by connecting them using LinkedIn, blogs, newsletters, matchmaking and webinars”. The group holds promotional events and manages a cloud-based network on behalf of various world renowned exhibitions. Almost all types of businesses, particularly small businesses, are realizing that in today’s rapidly changing business environment, the ability to be seen and be heard by prospective clients is one of the greatest needs. To reach their target market, small businesses need to be more and more creative.Yorkers Trade & Marketing Service Co. Ltd. –the organizers of the Myanmar Int’l Plastic, Rubber, Packaging, Printing & Foodtech Industrial Exhibition & Myanmar Int’l Agriculture Techniques & Equipment Exhibition, grandly held at Myanmar Event Park (MEP) in August 2015, say that it’s very important to participate in a trade fair or event. “It’s an efficient and personal way to network, market, and sell directly to your target audience. It’s a win-win situation for both exhibitors and buyers”. 230 exhibitors from 13 countries had participated in the exhibition and over 9,000 visitors participated during the four-day event. Both exhibitors and visitors were fully satisfied as they understood the trend of the Myanmar market thoroughly. The visitors browsed all the newest technology and product, and purchased all the machinery they needed.
According to a research, 92% of trade show attendees say they are looking for new products and 81% of the trade show attendees have buying power meaning thereby that more than 4 out of 5 delegates visiting the show floor have money to spend.
Lately, Myanmar has been organizing many trade shows which are attracting exhibitors all across the globe. MYANFOOD 2015 held in conjunction with MYANHOTEL 2015 and supported by the Myanmar Restaurant Association is one such trade show which started in 2013. As the tourist season peaks in November, the world’s top hotel chains step up their activities in Myanmar to participate in the show. Hilton Worldwide, Accor Group, Shangri-la, Best Western, Park Royal, Peninsula, Pan Pacific and more participate in the event. This is termed as Myanmar’s No.1 International Food and Drinks Trade Exhibition. Over 300 products and brands are on display. Around 8000 trade visitors representing hoteliers, restaurants, bistros, tea and coffee houses, bars, supermarkets, retailers, wholesalers, importers, distributors, traders, are set to attend the event which is held at Yangon’s biggest and newest exhibition hall – the Myanmar Events Park covering over 4000 square metres of exhibition space. It also includes an exciting programme of culinary and hospitality events including master classes by celebrity chefs. It also has demonstrations for and by the F&B (food and beverage) professionals. Similarly, Myanmar’s water and wastewater management industry organized MYANWATER 2015 in October this year. It is recognized as the first international trade event for the water and wastewater industry, having its inaugural event two years ago in 2013.Some of the biggest names, both local and international attended the show. Themed “Transforming Myanmar’s Water and Sewage Management”, it focused on the way forward to sustainability in water supply and wastewater management in the country. Myanmar’s cities’ water and sewerage consultants, developers, contractors and authorities participated in the show. The event successfully attracted over 12,000 trade visitors and is expected to bring a new record turnout next year. The organizers are convinced that participating in a trade show tells current customers and prospects that your company is financially strong, innovative, and actively reaching out to share your successes with them. It also demonstrates your drive and competitiveness. Also, they found unique value from trade shows which they did not get from other marketing mediums.
Most countries participating in the trade shows organized by the Myanmar Government, industrial houses and businesses realize that the country is undoubtedly the most exciting new market in Southeast Asia at present. Myanmar has shown an estimated 10% annual economic growth anticipated for the next 10 years, and foreign direct investment exceeding US$49 billion in 2014. As the country moves towards its next phase of development, consumers’ demand for better quality and greater variety of products in all spheres is set to increase as well.
