Following record-breaking editions in 2014, dates of the Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Spring and Autumn Editions for 2015 have now been confirmed, with both to be held in a brand-new venue –the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition will take place from 18 – 20 March 2015, while the Autumn Edition will be held from13 – 15 October.

According to Ms Wendy Wen, Senior General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, next year’s Spring Edition is on track to be twice as large as the 2014 fair. “Moving the Spring Edition to Shanghai from Beijing this year created unprecedented demand from suppliers to participate,” she said. “With the move to a new venue next year, we are able to accommodate more exhibitors from China and abroad, and expect the exhibition space to cover 100,000 sqm – double the size of this year’s fair.”

The new venue – the National Exhibition & Convention Center (Shanghai) – is a highly modern exhibition venue, and with 500,000 sqm of exhibition space is reportedly the largest in the world. Ms Wen explained that relocating the fair is not only about offering exhibitors and visitors the latest facilities, but also to take advantage of future development in the Hongqiao district of Shanghai. “Being a brand-new venue, it is equipped with all the modern facilities fairgoers expect, including Wi-Fi throughout the halls. Furthermore, it allows us to benefit from the infrastructure and facilities that are being developed in Shanghai’s newest business hub.”

Of further benefit for exhibitors, it is expected that this new venue will attract more quality domestic buyers. The fairground is located in the west of the city in Hongqiao, making it closer to the textile manufacturing hubs in surrounding provinces such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang. It is also positioned very close to Hongqiao airport, as well as the Hongqiao transport hub which has high-speed rail, regular rail and bus connections with the rest of the country, making it easier for buyers to get in and out of the city and affording them more time at the fair.

Two concurrent fairs to take place alongside Spring Edition

The relocation to a larger venue also allows for more events to be staged concurrently. Yarn Expo Spring will once again be held alongside Intertextile Shanghai, while for the first time the 23rd China International Fashion Fair 2015, also known as CHIC, occurs concurrently as well. Together, these three events, which cover the entire spectrum of the textile value chain, will provide more business opportunities for exhibitors of all the fairs, as well as attract a larger number of buyers from throughout the industry.

While this edition will be significantly larger than in 2014, the fair organisers are also focused on continually improving the quality of offerings for exhibitors and visitors according to Mr Olaf Schmidt, Vice President of Textiles & Textile Technologies for Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. “Shanghai is fast becoming an important fashion hub for the wider Asian region so this new co-location with CHIC will add an extra dimension to the fair, and our exhibitors that focus on fashion fabrics and creative design products in particular will benefit from the greater visitor flow,” Mr Schmidt said.

In addition to these three concurrent fairs the Planet Textiles Conference 2015 will take place on 19 March, returning after its previous appearance at the 2013 Autumn Edition.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2015 is coorganised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre.