Electronics Fair and electronicAsia Gather Cutting-edge Technology Inaugural Startup and Virtual Reality zones Spotlight New Trends
13 October 2016 – The annual Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) and electronicAsia opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and continue through 16 October. The 36th Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), while the 20th electronicAsia is jointly organised by the HKTDC and MMI Asia Pte Ltd.
“As the world’s largest electronics marketplace, the Electronics Fair and electronicAsia gather around 4,200 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions,” said Benjamin Chau, Acting Executive Director, HKTDC. “The exhibits this year include smart tech, virtual reality, wearable electronics and more, demonstrating the industry’s ability to keep abreast of the technology trends and launch products that match the market’s demand. We hope they will be received well during the fairs.”
The HKTDC has organised more than 140 buyer missions this year representing more than 12,000 global buyers from over 8,000 companies to the two fairs. These include major international retailers, importers and distributors such as TDL from Canada, Product Group from Australia, Casino from France, Casanova from Spain, Mad Robots from Russia, Mobibox from Brazil, Sound Village from Argentina, LehuMall.com from the Chinese mainland, Croma from India, ICST from Japan, Signeo from Singapore and Matahari Mall.com from Indonesia.
Debut Virtual Reality and Startup zones showcase innovative technology and ideas
Adopting smart and high-tech solutions has become a prevailing trend across virtually all sectors. To effectively showcase the latest technologies and products, the HKTDC has introduced a new Tech Hall at the Convention Hall, clustering five thematic zones including the inaugural Virtual Reality and Startup zones, as well as Smart Tech, Robotics & Unmanned Tech and 3D Printing. This assemblage will help buyers source high-tech electronic products with ease while investors can explore investment and partnership opportunities in a range of new technologies developed by startups.
Startups are a growing force in driving economic diversity. The new Startup zone gathers close to 50 startup companies from Hong Kong, Canada, the Chinese mainland, Taiwan and the US to showcase new technologies. A Canadian exhibitor is presenting an in-vehicle diagnostic and monitoring device that can transform a conventional car into a smart vehicle. Its nine-axis sensor can gather data to reconstruct the car’s motion path if it is involved in an accident. A local startup exhibitor is introducing an electronic smart price tag equipped with a high-definition colour display and Wi-Fi, allowing pricing information to be updated wirelessly in real-time.
To stand out in the marketplace, startups need suitable opportunities to explain their ideas and showcase their products to potential investors. To this end, the Electronics Fair provides an excellent platform with a series of startup-themed events on the programme. These include the “First Step of Your Startup Project” seminar, which features Ben Bateman, Senior Director of Strategic Programs of the US crowdfunding platform Indiegogo, a pitching session where startups can pitch solutions or product ideas to potential investors on the spot, as well as “Startup, Smart Launch” where newly developed technology and products can be introduced to buyers. Entrepreneurs behind successful startups are also on hand to share their experiences with visitors.
Virtual Reality zone energises the tech craze
Many industry players in the technology and online gaming sectors are investing in the development of virtual reality (VR) applications. The new Virtual Reality zone at the Electronics Fair is showcasing a range of VR headsets and related technology as well as VR video cameras. One of the Hong Kong exhibitors is using the fair to parade its 360-degree VR drone, a professional grade system for filming 360-degree panoramic scenes and VR videos. It is compatible with action cameras, enabling all-direction aerial spherical photography. A company from Taiwan has brought its 3D video camera module that enables users to capture 3D videos on a mobile phone with the module and an app.
Launched last year, the Smart Tech and Robotics & Unmanned Tech zones continue to be popular with fair visitors keen to view the latest creative products and future technologies including robots with IoT technology, luggage tracking bands, drones and electric scooters. Meanwhile, the 3D Printing zone features 3D printers and related materials and technology. A local exhibitor is presenting a 3D printing education kit for use at home or in a professional learning setting. Users can assemble the printer themselves to print directly and, in the process, learn more about 3D printing technology.
Hall of Fame presents branded products
The brand of an electronic product is one of the key factors influencing consumer purchasing decisions. The Hall of Fame at the Electronics Fair gathers electronic products from some 550 brands, covering digital entertainment, home tech, wireless and communications, power and accessories. Buyers can choose from a wide variety of respected brands at the fair, including Desay, Goodway, GP Batteries, Haier, Intel, Motorola and VTech.
electronicAsia offers cutting-edge electronic parts and components
Held concurrently with the Electronics Fair, electronicAsia is an important sourcing platform for electronic components and production technologies. The fair gathers cutting-edge innovations from the US, Germany, France, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and Korea, providing the industry with new product design ideas and materials. One of the highlight zones is World of Display Technology, which features products such as a LCD display suitable for outdoor use under direct sunlight. The product features a wide-viewing angle, high-resolution display and can also be used as a touch-screen panel.
electronicAsia is also showcasing other components such as printed circuit boards, keyboards, switches, integrated circuits as well as parts, modules and technology for solar and photovoltaic energy. Key components for smart devices such as display backlight and smart switch modules are also on show, targeting mobile device manufacturers.
Symposium on Innovation & Technology discusses IoT and smart devices
Besides being an annual sourcing event for the industry, the Electronics Fair and electronicAsia also provide insights into market trends and industry intelligence. As smart devices and IoT technology continue to gain attention, the HKTDC is nurturing these trends by jointly organising today’s Symposium on Innovation & Technology with the Hong Kong Electronics & Technologies Association. Representatives from the world’s leading tech companies including Tesla, Amazon Web Services, HP and Qualcomm are among those sharing their expertise on smart tech and IoT trends.
During the two fairs, a number of buyer forums and seminars are organised to address hot-button issues in the electronics sector such as virtual reality, augmented reality, wearable technology and integrated circuits among other industry developments. Meanwhile, TEDxHong Kong will be held on Saturday (15 October). TED, which stands for “Technology, Entertainment, Design”, is a forum for thought leaders from various sectors to share their views on future technological advancements. The winning products of The Electronic Industries Awards (EIA) 2016, jointly organised by the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Electronic Industries Association (HKEIA), are displayed at the fairground (booth no.: 1CON-00B). This year, there are 21 award winners from 13 product categories. The EIA aims to stimulate creative design and innovation within the electronics industry, as well as recognise and award exhibitors for their outstanding performance.
Big business through small orders
In view of the keen demand for small order sourcing, the hktdc.com Small Orders zone returns to the fair, featuring a total of more than 330 counters offering over 2,900 products for buyers looking to source products in minimum quantities of between five and 1,000 pieces. With the increasing popularity of e-commerce, the Small-Order Online Transaction Platform (http://smallorders.hktdc.com) enables global buyers to complete transactions with suppliers online. The platform is displaying more than 120,000 products from over 10,000 suppliers.
| HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) | electronicAsia | |
| Date | 13-16 October (Thursday-Sunday) | 13-16 October (Thursday-Sunday) |
| Venue | Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre | Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre |
| Opening Hours | 13-15 October: 9:30am–6:30pm
16 October: 9:30am–5pm |
13-15 October: 9:30am–6:30pm
16 October: 9:30am–5pm |
| Major Exhibit Categories | Virtual Reality, Startup, Smart Tech, Robotics & Unmanned Tech, 3D Printing, Wearable Electronics, Digital Imaging, Home Appliances and Audio Visual Products, etc. | Electronics Components, Display Technology, Key Components for Smart Devices, Keyboards and Switches, Printed Circuit Boards, Solar and Photovoltaic Energy, Integrated Circuit and Hong Kong Metal Parts & Components, etc. |
| Fair Website | www.hktdc.com/hkelectronicsfairae/
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www.hktdc.com/fair/electronicasia-en/
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About the HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.