Matchmaking at ASAP
LAS VEGAS—Like many of the Las Vegas trade shows, the ASAP Global Sourcing Show had its best day on its opening day, Feb. 11, and many exhibitorssaid traffic slowed after the MAGIC Marketplace opened on Feb. 12.
This season, ASAP moved from a ballroom on The Venetian hotel’s second floor to a new space on the ground level, and according to some exhibitors, the move cut down on drop-ins from the Project Global Trade Show, which washeld next door at the Sands Expo and Convention Center.
“It’s not as good as last time,” said Shalini Agarwal, a representative for In Time Knits , based in Mumbai, India. “[Before] we were upstairs, and that helped with the Project walk-ins. [But] let’s see if we catch some good customers.”
In Time has been showing its line of T-shirts and hoodies for men and women at ASAP for the past three years.
Most of the companies showing at ASAP were longtime exhibitors such as Manu Hanu of American Active Apparel, a manufacturer based in India and China with an office in Los Angeles. American Active produces for U.S. companies such as Kohl’s and Wal-Mart.
“Yesterday was good; today is scary,” said Hira on the second day of the show. But Hira said traffic at ASAP typically picks up late in the day after retailers and manufacturers have visited MAGIC and Project. Hira had taken two booths to display his company’s products, including denim and hoodies. Everything except washing is done in the company’s factories in India and China, Hira said.
Newcomers Sady Lee and Angela Qu of Zean Import and Export Trading Co. in Tongxian, China, set up a booth at ASAP in hopes of growing its U.S. client list. The company produces women’s apparel, including knits, sweaters, blouses and dresses.
Although ASAP exhibitors were looking for more drop-in traffic, many were also participating in the show’s matchmaking services. Show organizers help attendees find overseas manufacturers specializing in certain products or industry segments.
“Sourcing is not new; we get a lot of repeat customers,” said ASAP founder Frank Yuan, who was also promoting the Fashion International Trade Show. FITS is a program that helps American and European companies tap into the consumer market in China by opening branded retail stores with the help of licensed Chinese business partners. ASAP attendee Michael Pakula, chief executive officer of Sydney, Australia– based lingerie retailer Can Can, is one of Yuan’s FITS success stories.
Pakula recently opened several Can Can stores in China through the FITS program.
Yuan said he has helped open 26 stores in China as of October and is confident he could open more than 300 more stores in 2008. —Alison A. Nieder
