AEC looks to rise from IMPEX ashes

A poor performance at the 2005 IMPEX TCF International and tandem Gift and Homeware International trade fairs has forced organisers to "postpone" next year's event.
However, the news is not all bad with the announcement inspiring FASHION EXPOSED organisers, Australian Exhibitions and Conferences (AEC), to consider filling the gap with its own new internationally-focused show.
BOSCOMM publicist Robert Hiddlestone from told Ragtrader the decision last month to "postpone the IMPEX shows for this coming year" was made for two reasons.
"First, the numbers [of visitors] were not quite what the organisers expected. They were hoping for a bigger turn out. Second, the exhibitors were not what the visitors expected."
It is understood 98 per cent of exhibitors were from overseas, a high proportion of those from China.
Hiddlestone revealed: "Many exhibitors came to the show armed with just a suitcase. Some exhibitors also had poor English speaking ability."
When asked whether FASHION EXPOSED organisers were to take advantage of the gap left by the defunct international trade show, AEC managing director Marie Kinsela confirmed that AEC was "looking at options".
"We get a lot of calls from Asian companies looking to export goods to Australia. So if we did something it would be a separate show [from FASHION EXPOSED] altogether.
The IMPEX TCF International show, held annually at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre showcased Textile, Clothing, Footwear & Fashion accessories from around the globe.
The show differed from the current FASHION EXPOSED format, which is largely focused on "ready to wear" previews in Melbourne (September) and Sydney (March). It was expected that any new show from FASHION EXPOSED organisers would incorporate the international sourcing aspect of the ditched IMPEX show.
In an official press statement, AES Marketing Manager Jon Malpas, cited the uncertainty of buyers from the TCF industries caused by the "ongoing shift to offshore sourcing" and the ramifications for the industry of Free Trade Agreements as the factors behind the decision [to postpone].
"Despite space bookings ahead of budget for 2006 the decision to cancel the show, whilst regrettable, was made in the best interests of our exhibitors and visitors and was the only responsible course of action open to us in the current economic climate," said Malpas.
IMPEX, had been staged for almost 10 years attracting some 300 exhibitors from 20 countries annually.