I’m tired of bad news. It’s all over the headlines, and it’s all there ever seems to be when I pull up a text-based search about ‘China’ in any one of the major search engines these days. However, for all the bad news that is being generated, there is a lot of good stuff buried somewhere deep within, if you’re willing to dig for it.

One of the things I have noticed is a general streamlining of things in the foreign trade business; in the area of trade fairs, a sort of cost-cutting effort to trim some fat from trade shows that were usually hosted in multiple venues… multiple cities… and required a lot of legwork on the part of the visitors to get something accomplished. This year, the reality of the CPC missing its elusive 8% GDP goal — by a mile — is pretty clear, and it means that once-headstrong wholesaler juggernaut China is responding with a more intelligent approach to the way business is done, as global market contraction steadily continues.

I can hear the collective sighs of relief, from people who have had more than enough of poorly-executed trade fairs and haphazardly-organized shows of the past. After all, business is still business… but it will be nice to know that efficiency will be of greater value this time around.

Companies seeking to enter the China market may have a golden opportunity to see and be seen by some of the biggest names in leather-related manufacture and production in the world. All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) will be in its 11^th year, as it continues to bring all major Chinese producers, distributors, and buyers together into one massive show space. This is a very big event, and it should be noted that last year turned out over 15,700 buyers (over 13,800 from mainland China) and media representatives from around the world. China International Footwear Fair (CIFF) & Moda Shanghai 2009 will also be represented, since they are major co-organizers of the event.

From the press release:

“China International Footwear Fair and Moda Shanghai 2009 will be one of the leading trade shows of its kind in Shanghai. Organized with a joint venture of APLF Limited and China Leather Industry Association, the event will take place concurrent to the All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) 2009. The event will display an extensive range of fashion goods including leather garments, handbags, travel-ware, and fashion accessories, giving buyers an overall preview of fashion total-look. China International Footwear Fair (CIFF) and Moda Shanghai 2009 is a must attend event for professionals from footwear industry.”

Another important point to consider is the fact that 22 group pavilions have already been confirmed, and pavilion groups from Australia, Brazil, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Pakistan, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and USA, have been slated to participate in ACLE and CIFF 2009.

Sounds pretty good, eh? There is still a chance to book a spot now, and it always pays to be early when dealing with the logistics of international travel. For some specifics on getting the info you need to make your reservations, I have listed some of the vital information below:

All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) 2009

in a joint presentation with

China International Footwear Fair (CIFF) & Moda Shanghai 2009

September 2 – 4, 2009

Shanghai New International Expo Centre
Longyang Road
Pudong, Shanghai, 201204
China

Last but certainly not least, for those who would like to know who this show is specifically for, here’s a list of the visitor profiles (by industry sector) that the show organizers have produced:

* Importers & Exporters

* Semi-Finished

* Finished Leather

* Hides & Skins

* Components & Accessories

* Process Chemicals

* Tanning Machinery

* Synthetic Materials

* Man-made Leather

* Exotic Leather

* Shoe Machinery

* Technology

* General Public

* Footwear

* Handbags and Leather Goods

* Garment

* Fashion Accessories

* Travel Wares

* Related Services

Some of the hungry power-players looking to get a minute of your time will be hailing from companies like Dongguan Wanhua Leather Co.,Ltd, Wenzhou Ruixin Leather Co., Ltd, Wai Hing Leather Mfg Co.,Ltd, Chaei Hsin Enterprise Co.,Ltd, Wenzhou Synthetic Leather Co., Ltd, Zhejiang Longyue Technology Co., Ltd, Taiwan Haoquan Enterprises Co.,Ltd,Comshoe Spanish Shoe Component, Wenzhou Baifeng Shoes Material Industry Co., Ltd, Haining Haixiang Group Co.,Ltd, Wenzhou Liyu Shoe Materials Co.,Ltd, Wenzhou Nanfang Shoes Material Co.,Ltd, Nanjing Great Eastern Resins Co., Ltd, Nanbao Resins Co.,Ltd. Desma (Guangzhou) Machinery & Engineering Co., Ltd, and Wenzhou Shenming Shoe-making Machinery. be on your guard, but remember that the event will also be geared toward makin this a fun experience for all, and I hear that there will even be a scheduled trip to local factories for selected participants on the second day of the fair. More is expected to materialize, as the show date draws nearer.

As you can see, this event is certainly not limited to shoes, and should be considered seriously by anyone who wants to get to know the climate in China’s leather business, as the attending exhibitors and promoters strive to put on their best show for eager buyers. Come to think of it, Shanghai isn’t far from Hangzhou, and I’ll be very interested to see what goes on at this particular event. Maybe I’ll see you there!