HKTDC’s Seven Flagship Events Draw 95,000 Global Buyers, Showcasing Hong Kong’s Trade Resilience
The HKTDC’s seven lifestyle and licensing fairs attracted over 95,000 buyers from 134 countries, highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a global trade hub and cross-sector opportunities for businesses.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) successfully concluded seven flagship lifestyle and licensing events, drawing over 95,000 buyers from 134 countries and regions for sourcing and business negotiations, the council announced today.
The fairs included the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, which attracted over 32,000 buyers; Home InStyle with some 20,000 buyers; and Fashion InStyle gathering around 12,000 buyers. The Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong saw over 9,600 buyers, while the Hong Kong International Licensing Show attracted over 21,000 buyers. The Asian Licensing Conference featured over 20 international licensing industry leaders as speakers. Non-local buyers came primarily from Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, and Japan, with significant growth from the Philippines, Canada, and Türkiye, underscoring the fairs' international appeal.
Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, said: “In alignment with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will continue to actively develop its role as a regional intellectual property trading hub, further enhancing its international competitiveness in the cultural and creative industries and IP transactions. The seven flagship events fully showcased Hong Kong's distinctive strengths in lifestyle, cultural and creative design, brand development, and intellectual property, offering global buyers a rich and diverse array of sourcing options, while connecting exhibitors with international buyers and partners to unlock business opportunities.”
A survey of 1,541 exhibitors and buyers conducted during three of the fairs found that nearly half (49%) expected overall sales to rise in the next one to two years, while 44.6% foresaw stable sales. The greatest operational challenges identified were fluctuations in the global economy (47.8%), conflict-led crises such as geopolitical tensions, energy and food insecurity, supply chain chaos (37.2%), and growing protectionist measures (33.7%). Respondents believed sales prospects are promising in ASEAN countries (69%), Taiwan (67.9%), India (66.7%), Korea (65.2%), and Chinese Mainland (63%).
Product trends showed strong growth potential for cultural gifts (19.7%), sustainable gifts (18.6%), and tech gifts (18.6%) in the gifts and premiums market. In furniture and home products, designer furniture & houseware (27.3%), interior decoration & handicrafts (27.1%), and smart home technology (23%) were highlighted. In fashion, designer clothing (42.4%), urban clothing (34.5%), and womenswear (31.9%) showed the strongest potential.
The fairs facilitated cross-sector opportunities. Semk Holdings International Limited, a character IP licensing firm, showcased B.Duck co-branded products and connected with buyers from Mexico, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Dubai exhibitor Alpha Art debuted at the Gifts & Premium Fair and anticipated potential orders of around US$1 million. The fair also sealed three memoranda of understanding: the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanxi Provincial Committee and Fujian Sub-Councils signed MOUs with HKTDC to encourage enterprises to “go global,” and the Busan Economic Promotion Agency signed an MOU to promote Korean gift products through Hong Kong’s platform.
Fashion InStyle featured the NEXT zone with over 60 new material exhibitors. Textile Library from Hangzhou returned after connecting with a Thai exhibitor last year and collaborated with local brand Ponder.er. Mary Ma, Founder of Textile Library, said their latest materials drew strong interest and yielded concrete cooperation intentions. New exhibitor New High Limited connected with 50 potential buyers, including from Dubai and North Africa, expecting orders of about US$100,000. Brazilian e-commerce brand Amaro’s Creative Director Vanessa Tirol Lacerda found the innovative materials inspiring and established cooperation with exhibitors from India and Chinese Mainland, with an expected initial order of US$100,000.
Home InStyle introduced innovative materials for homeware and textiles. Hong Kong exhibitor Lotux International Holdings presented biodegradable cutlery and food containers made from lotus stems. Daphne Wan, Sales Director, said they attracted strong interest and are discussing joint development of eco-friendly products. AllcareAI Limited debuted an infection-prevention mobile toilet and received over 20 enquiries from local care homes and international markets. TFE Holdings Limited showcased a concrete coffee machine and expected to secure about 15 orders worth US$1 million.
The Printing & Packaging Fair attracted buyers like Hot Packaging LLC from the Middle East, which connected with 12 new suppliers and planned trial orders for sustainable products. W.H.Y. Brand Consultancy participated for the first time and expected around US$400,000 in business. Canadian buyer Umbra Ltd identified 20 potential suppliers and expected orders up to US$100,000. Mexican buyer Promo Life planned to spend US$200,000 on keychains and magnets from a Hong Kong exhibitor.
At the Licensing Show, Hong Kong’s Postgal Workshop reached an agreement with Malaysia’s M&M Creations Holdings involving its IP “Din Dong,” valued at over US$200,000. Maura Regan, President and CEO of Licensing International, stated: “We remain convinced that we'll see significant growth across property types. Overall, the licensing industry is not slowing down.”