Global Sources' electronics trade shows grow 19 percent to more than 3,900 booths

HONG KONG, October 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Global Sources' (NASDAQ: GSOL) opened its fall electronics trade shows in Hong Kong today with more than 3,900 supplier booths. Growing 19 percent from last year, the combined shows will be the largest electronics events ever for Global Sources. The Fairs run from October 12-15 at Hong Kong's AsiaWorld-Expo facility next to the airport.

The four co-located events are China Sourcing Fairs: Electronics & Components, Security Products, Solar & Energy Saving Products and the Korea Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components.

"Our focus on presenting the hottest product categories from quality-focused manufacturers continues to draw the world's top buyers to Hong Kong every October," said Tommy Wong, President of Global Sources Exhibitions. "This, in turn, is attracting more exhibitors to the shows, which have become a platform for export success in Asia's electronics industry."

Among the tens of thousands of buyers pre-registered to attend the shows include Best Buy, Brookstone, CHUBB, Honeywell Security, JVC, LG Electronics, Mitsubishi, Philips, RadioShack, Samsung, Sanyo, Siemens, TEAC and Toshiba.

Suppliers from Greater China make up the largest contingent of exhibitors at the Fairs. In addition to those from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, manufacturers from other supply markets, including South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, India, the Philippines, Australia and Italy, are also taking part.

Consumer electronics, solar markets remain hot

"Participation at the shows is also increasing due to rapid sales growth in the consumer electronics industry," Wong said. "Analysts from Consumer Electronics Association predicted global retail sales of consumer electronics devices are projected to top US$1 trillion in 2011. Similarly, in the first eight months of 2011, mainland China's mobile phones and accessories industry generated sales of US$53 billion, up by 38 percent from the same period a year earlier, according to mainland China Customs statistics."

"Driven by rising demand for alternative energy technologies, solar energy products remain hot, with solar power equipment sales expected to grow by 39 percent this year. As a result, the Solar & Energy Saving Products show has also proven popular among buyers and suppliers, with booths up by 17% from the first event in April," added Wong.

Specialized pavilions showcasing new, innovative products

Buyers and suppliers at the Fairs are able to benefit from specialized pavilions and services to help them trade more effectively. Selected pavilions for high-demand products have expanded and become the most comprehensive platforms for suppliers to market their hottest products.

The fall China Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components features Asia's biggest in-car electronics and GPS pavilions and Hong Kong's largest computer products pavilion. The iProducts accessories pavilion, with over 180 booths, features the latest accessories for iPhones, iPads and related items -- a hot category among buyers who are anxious to leverage the popularity for the "iProducts".

Other product pavilions feature computer peripherals, computer terminals, consumer electronics and accessories, electronic components, home entertainment and equipment, interconnection technology, mobile phones, networking products, personal digital electronics, power supplies and telecom and wireless products.

China Sourcing Fair: Security Products features pavilions for access controls & RFID, alarms, CCTV and digital surveillance, home and system integration and fire and safety products. China Sourcing Fair: Solar & Energy Saving Products features energy-efficient lighting and accessories, LED displays and commercial lighting and solar and wind power products pavilions.

Key buyers from developed and emerging markets attend Private Sourcing Events

Private Sourcing Events are another highlight of the October Fairs, offering exclusive opportunities for pre-selected exhibitors to meet large global companies in private during the shows. A record breaking of 21 sourcing teams from buyers include AG Electronica, Atico, CYA, Coppel, eBay, Intelbras, Liverpool, Metro, Monster, Net On Net, OSRAM, PIT, RSI and REC Engineering are scheduled to participate.

The winning products for Global Sources' fifth annual Electronics Design Awards are being showcased at the Fairs, where tens of thousands of buyers from around the world are able to see these innovative products first-hand.

China Sourcing Fairs effective sourcing platforms on-site and online

To boost sourcing productivity for buyers and exhibition investment for suppliers, the complete China Sourcing Fair series in Hong Kong this October will be complemented by respective online shows -- Online Sourcing Fairs.

Online Sourcing Fairs enable buyers to engage with exhibitors before, during and after the physical shows, or even if they cannot visit the physical shows. Suppliers, at the same time, can benefit as the life of their exhibition investment can be extended from a few days to several months. Suppliers are able to reach more buyers and generate more sales leads - which can then translate into an improved return on investment.

Opening times for the Hong Kong Fairs are:

• October 12-14 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• October 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Buyers can register for free admission and find more information, including details about free transport to the venue and back, at the China Sourcing Fairs website: http://www.chinasourcingfair.com.

About Global Sources

Global Sources is a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with Greater China.

The core business facilitates trade between Asia and the world using English-language media such as online marketplaces (http://www.globalsources.com), print and digital magazines, sourcing research reports, private sourcing events, trade shows, and online sourcing fairs.

Over 1 million international buyers, including 85 of the world's top 100 retailers, use these services to obtain product and company information to help them source more profitably from overseas supply markets. These services also provide suppliers with integrated marketing solutions to build corporate image, generate sales leads and win orders from buyers in more than 240 countries and territories.

Global Sources' other businesses provides Chinese-language media to companies selling to and within Greater China. These services include online web sites, print and digital magazines, seminars and trade shows. In mainland China, Global Sources has a network of more than 40 office locations and a community of nearly 3 million registered online users and magazine readers of its Chinese-language media.

Now in its fifth decade, Global Sources has been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2000.