International, Eco Focus at ASAP/Global Eco

The ASAP Global Sourcing Show returned to the first floor of The Venetian hotel Aug. 24–27 with a small lineup of international exhibitors and a handful of green-themed exhibitors participating in the adjacent Global Eco show.

Companies from China, India, Pakistan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Macau, Hong Kong and the United States showed their wares, including sportswear, uniforms, lingerie and accessories.

“It’s a little bit slow because of the economy,” said S.K. Mondi, director of Manisha Exports, based in Calcutta, India. The company produces women’s apparel, handbags and scarves. This was the company’s third time at the show, which helped to bring in repeat customers, Mondi said.

“We are seeing people we work with and very few new people compared to the last show,” he said.

Another returning exhibitor was American Active Apparel, which has been showing at ASAP for six years, according to representative Manu Hiranandani.

“I have always been here, and that helps me out,” he said.

The company, which is based in Los Angeles, with production facilities in China, also set up a booth at the nearby Off-Price Specialist Show.

A sliver of ASAP’s space was devoted to the 10 exhibitors showing at the Global Eco show.

This was the first trade show for Laguna Niguel, Calif.–based accessories line Tuwa, which produces silkscreened jute bags in a range of sizes to be used as reusable grocery bags. Many eco-conscious shoppers shop with reusable bags emblazoned with the Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s logos, but Tuwa’s founders, both landscape architects, wanted to offer something more stylish.

“We thought, ’Why do people want to know where you shop?’” said marketing director Sandy Simieng, who founded the company with Chief Operating Officer Emily Cramer.

“Last year I went to 16 green trade shows,” said Global Eco founder Howard Gabe.

“Most are consumer [shows], but retailers are starting to come to consumer shows to find new resources. If you are a manufacturer of green products, you should do the right five to eight green shows a year. But you have to find the right shows.” —Alison A. Nieder