World-Renowned designer Philippe Starck to be guest of honour at the first"BRANDS & DESIGNERS - CHINA INITIATIVE" Exhibition
Shenzhen, 25 May 2005(the PC date is changing to 15 June) The first-ever brands and design-centric exhibition in China will be held from 25 to 28 October 2005 in Shenzhen, one of China’s fastest growing boomtowns. More than 700 Chinese and overseas exhibitors will showcase their creative talent and branding expertise in the brand new Shenzhen convention centre. In addition to the exhibition, a double-themed conference will feature more than 50 internationally renowned speakers. The exhibition will attract more than 30,000 professional visitors, mostly managers and marketing executives from the manufacturing companies that form what is commonly referred to as the world’s factory.
A unique business development platform for marketing, design and brand services
As the first event to focus specifically on brands and designers, Brands & Designers - China Initiative 2005 (BDCI) offers a unique opportunity for creative and management agencies from China and around the world to present their products and services to Chinese companies, in particular OEM (original equipment manufacturers, in other words, subcontractors for established brands) and ODM (original design manufacturers) companies that are eager to climb the value chain and improve their product offer through better design and marketing in order to expand their overseas reach.
Moreover, BDCI is a platform for young Asian and international brands to showcase how they have developed their businesses through the intelligent use of design, branding and modern marketing techniques. Visitors also have the opportunity to learn from leading industry experts and build new business relationships.
Impeccable credentials
Internationally-celebrated design guru Philippe Starck – a true global citizen who epitomises the blending of creative genius and business acumen that characterises BDCI – is the guest of honour at the inaugural BDCI event.
Located in the newly opened Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Centre, BDCI 2005 offers exhibitors a chance to convene in Shenzhen – a city that exemplifies the massive economic growth and potential of today’s China.
A content-rich programme including an exhibition, a conference, a design competition and a gala dinner.The BDCI 2005 exhibition features seven themed pavilions, grouping experts from a range of marketing, branding, consulting and industrial arenas. Each pavilion targets different aspects of the issues faced by Chinese industrialists trying to develop stronger brands and better designs. The seven themes are: World’s Brands, Designers’ World, Brand Solutions, World Access, Toolbox, Business Piloting and China Access.
Running concurrently with the exhibition are two major series (in the marketing brochure, it says three major series. All the materials should be consistent) of seminars led by world-class speakers in the fields of marketing, design and branding. The seminars focus on general marketing, branding and design in the West on one hand, and branding in the Chinese market on the other hand. On the last day of the 4-day seminar, industry specific topics will be explored.
In addition to the seminar series, BDCI features a range of catwalk exhibitions in which creative talents in fashion, electronics, sports and fitness, and jewellery design will have a unique stage to present their work.
Says Gilles Mangin, Chief Marketing Officer of THE KEY, a strategic and integrated communications agency: “Over the last ten years, Chinese manufacturers, especially in the Southern Pearl River Delta region, have massively invested to upgrade their production tools while their gross margins kept dwindling due to competition and retail pressure. Without a brand and proper distribution channels, these manufacturers will not be able to take control over their destiny. Brand development and better product design are the keys to the profitable markets. But such marketing services are not available in China yet. BDCI is therefore a unique opportunity for manufacturers and the creative minds and agencies of the world to meet and start new business relationship.”
Wei Jin-kui, president of CCPIT Shenzhen (China Council for the Promotion of International Trade), the promoter of the event, adds: “Numerous famous overseas brands are eager to enter the Chinese market, however, many of these companies need partners to advise them on the right strategic moves to accompany their development. BDCI addresses this issue by bringing together creative people and businesses from China and overseas in what will be the biggest brand and design-centred event ever held.”
(Who will give speech on the Press Conference hasn’t been decided yet. And the speech content hasn’t been known till now. So this part should not be contented in the press release right now)
“Brands and Designers Awards 2005”, the first design exhibition of such scale in China
Parallel to the exhibition will be the inaugural Brands and Designers Awards 2005. As the first awards ceremony of such scope ever held in China, this event will recognise talented designers from China and the Asia Pacific region – be they individuals, agencies or brands – who have been successful in a region that has traditionally been better known for production capabilities than design flair.
Staying true to the spirit of the BDCI exhibition, the awards have been divided into two main categories: Design and Brands. The judging panel for the awards will be chaired by Philippe Starck, along with numerous renowned personalities in the creative industry from both China and overseas.
Award winners will be announced at the BDCI Gala Dinner on 25 October 2005 – a black-tie evening event offering celebrated and up-and-coming designers, brand leaders and marketing professionals an occasion to meet, exchange ideas and generate business opportunities. Guests of honour for the evening include Philippe Starck and Chinese industry leaders.
