Diego López, our client director in Shanghai, spends his days immersed in the bustling world of exhibitions. Every week, he attends major trade fairs to stay ahead of trends in exhibition stand design Shanghai and retail design Shanghai, connect with prospective clients, and explore the latest innovations across multiple industries. As Diego explains, “Exhibitions in China are currently the best learning ground for a learning ground for design, architecture, new technology, and experience due to the high level of competition between participating companies and the great need to stand out among the different exhibitors.”
Shanghai: A Strategic Hub for International Exhibitions
Shanghai has established itself as a key international hub for trade fairs, boasting four major exhibition centers:
• NECC (National Exhibition and Convention Center) – the world’s largest exhibition complex on a single floor.
• SNIEC (Shanghai New International Expo Center)
• SWEEC (Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center)
• Shanghai Exhibition Center
For Diego, these venues are like a second home. He knows every corridor, corner, and facility, allowing him to navigate exhibitions efficiently while maximizing networking and learning opportunities. His experience makes him a trusted guide in trade show design China and exhibition stand design Shanghai.
A Calendar Packed with Opportunities
Shanghai hosts an extensive variety of trade fairs, ranging from biennial events like Auto Shanghai and PTC Asia, to annual fairs including MWC (Mobile World Congress), Design Shanghai, SIAL (Food), CMEF (Medical Equipment), ProWine Shanghai, China Toy Expo, and Hotelex. Some fairs, such as Luxehome and China Gifts & Home Expo, are held twice a year.
Diego notes, “Shanghai’s comprehensive trade fair calendar has something for every need and budget.” These events cover both B2C markets, like CBE (Beauty & Cosmetics) and AWE (Appliances), as well as highly specialized B2B sectors, such as Propak China (Packaging), NEPCON Microelectronics, Intermodal (Logistics), and Functional Textiles Shanghai. These fairs offer excellent opportunities for exhibition design China and retail design Shanghai.
The Power of Personal Interaction
For Diego, attending trade fairs is about more than business—it’s about human connection. “If you want to sell or buy in China, they have to see your face and shake your hand,” he emphasizes. Trade fairs are the ideal meeting ground for suppliers, buyers, exporters, distributors, entrepreneurs, and businesspeople to connect directly, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships.
“There is no substitute for personal, direct interaction,” Diego explains. “Behind every business card, there is a wealth of experiences, knowledge, and insights. Helping others grow not only enriches them but allows our own ideas to flourish.”
Experiencing Innovation Firsthand
Diego finds joy in attending exhibitions that are constantly innovating. “When you enjoy your work, enthusiasm spreads, and everything flows better. I feel fortunate to work in a sector that challenges you to learn, grow, and connect with interesting people and ideas.”
One of Shanghai’s most iconic trade fairs is CIIE (China International Import Expo), held every November. It serves as a national showcase where countries and companies present their products to the Chinese market. Trade shows cover a vast spectrum, including tourism, fashion, design, food, hospitality, technology, medical equipment, home goods, hobbies, and sustainability-focused industries. Many fairs are also held in other Chinese cities like Beijing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hainan, and Hong Kong. These events provide valuable insights into exhibition design China, retail design China, and events Shanghai.
Trends in Exhibition Stand Design in China
Based on his extensive experience, Diego highlights emerging design trends in China that help exhibitors stand out:
- Creative lighting to enhance atmosphere and experience.
- Use of audio to convey brand personality.
- Occasional shows or performances (DJs, live music, fashion shows).
- Advanced audiovisual technology (LED effects, holograms, interactive screens).
- Interactive games or contests to engage visitors.
- Comfortable rest areas with phone charging stations.
- Food and drink tastings.
- Robot assistants as visitor attractions.
- Dedicated business areas for meetings.
- Advertising outside the exhibition center to draw attention.
- Closed stands that create curiosity and exclusivity.
- Special merchandise or souvenirs that also collect visitor data.
- Booths for live streaming and influencer engagement.
- Photocall areas for visitors to take memorable photos.
- Interactive screens to educate visitors about products and the brand.
Expert Guidance for Exhibiting in China
If you’re considering attending a trade fair in China or Southeast Asia, Diego and our team can guide you to choose the most suitable fairs and maximize your impact. His experience ensures that your investment and efforts align perfectly with your goals, resources, and expectations. This guidance is particularly useful for trade show design China, exhibition stand design Shanghai, and retail design Shanghai projects.
If you want to stay up to date with the trade shows and news that Diego attends in Shanghai, which he regularly posts about on his social media accounts, you can also follow him on LinkedIn (Diego López), Instagram (diego.lopez.suarez), and WeChat (Diercho).
