As the Global Sourcing Expo (GSE) Melbourne closed its doors, the expo saw over 900 exhibitors from 20+ countries in the fields of apparel, textiles and homewares over the course of three days at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre including Vietnam and India.
“This event marked the first time the prestigious Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) has participated in one of our Global Sourcing Expos and we were thrilled to welcome them as well as our returning export associations including the Indian Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), The Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh and the Taiwan Textile Federation,” shares Marie Kinsella, CEO, International Exhibition & Conference Group and organiser of the Global Sourcing Expo.
The expo was co-located with the Footwear & Accessories Show Australia and China Clothing Textiles & Accessories and in total saw more than 3,000 visitors attend. Many of these visitors were key decision-makers and buyers from some of Australia’s best-known companies.
“The decision to hold two expos this year gave us the perfect opportunity to bring the industry together and ensure that sourcing in Australia retains its global competitiveness, while also catering for visitors from different regions.”
This year, GSE Melbourne hosted a total of 13 pavilions including the Shanghai and Tamil Nadu Pavilion, giving attendees the opportunity to sample products from a specific region or sector.
“The pride that our exhibitors take in their craftmanship is always a highlight of these events―many of their businesses are family-owned and draw on artisanal skills and techniques that have been passed down through generations,” adds Kinsella.
The Seminar Series presented a total of 12 one-hour sessions over the three-day event with key presenters such as Paul Zahra, CEO of the Australian Retailers Association and Clare Press, author and founder of Wardrobe Crisis.
The Global Sourcing Expo will return to Sydney ICC from 12 to 14 June 2024 before making its way to the MCEC from 19 to 21 November 2024.
“There is so much demand for the unique international sourcing platform that we provide that it makes sense to host it in two locations, with Melbourne and Sydney as the bustling fashion capitals of Australia.”
