Visitor numbers up 12% at ITMA Asia 2012 (China)

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012, the region’s leading textile machinery exhibition, ended on a high note with record numbers of visitors and exhibitors. The show was held at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) from 12 to 16 June 2012.

Despite the difficult global economic climate, the third combined exhibition registered visitorship of around 92,000 from 94 countries and economies over five days, up 12 per cent from the 2010 show.  Over twenty per cent of the visitors came from outside of China.

Of the overseas visitors, India led the pack, reflecting the rapid growth of its textile industry. Following closely were trade visitors from Japan, Indonesia, Iran and Pakistan.

Mr Stephen Combes, President of CEMATEX, said: “We are delighted with the response. The strong turnout of visitors to the show has demonstrated that buyers in the region still remain upbeat about the potential of the Asian textile market. It also reaffirms the reputation of ITMA ASIA + CITME as the most effective business platform in China for the industry.”

Quality leads and enquiries

The combined show attracted 1,283 exhibitors from 28 countries and economies who presented their latest textile machinery and related technology. For many exhibitors, the exhibition was an effective platform to have face-to-face meetings and to network with industry players from the region.

One happy exhibitor is Karl Mayer Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbH’s president, Mr Fritz Mayer. He said: “We benefited greatly from our participation at ITMA ASIA + CITME as it had a targeted audience and enabled us to feel the pulse of the industry. The vast majority of the visitors are serious buyers and we are extremely happy with the business opportunities gained from this show.”

Mr Ye Maoxin, Vice President of China Hi-Tech Group Co., Ltd, commented: “We are very satisfied with our participation in the exhibition, and the efforts made by the organisers in bringing in quality visitors. Many of the local and overseas visitors were serious buyers. Hence, we are pleased to continue to support future editions of the combined show.”

Delighted with the response to the ITMA ASIA + CITME series, the show owners have announced that the collaboration will continue for the next two editions. Beijing Textile Machinery International Exhibition Co Ltd and MP International Pte Ltd have also been re-appointed as organiser and co-organiser, respectively of the next two shows.

Mr Wang Shutian, President of CTMA, explained, “ITMA ASIA + CITME is a vital event in the calendar of textile machinery shows and we are very happy to continue to present the best technologies from both east and west to Asian buyers.”

The next ITMA ASIA + CITME will be held from 16 to 20 June 2014.

The combined show is owned by CEMATEX, together with its Chinese partners – the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT (CCPIT-Tex), China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA) and China International Exhibition Centre Group Corporation (CIEC).