Research and Markets: Examine and Improve Your Understanding of Chinese Trade Associations & Events in China with this Essential Report

DUBLIN, Ireland, Oct 22, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Trade Associations & Events in China" report to their offering.

China will soon become the largest market in Asia for business and professional events. As elsewhere in the world, trade associations play an important role in the Chinese events industry, but, as with other aspects of business in China, they do not always work in the same way as in other countries and this is not necessarily well understood by those trying to do business there.

In this report, BSG has undertaken new research in an effort to answer the following key questions:

- Who are the key associations in China organising exhibitions, congresses and conferences?
- What role does the government play in most associations in China?
- How do Chinese trade associations generate revenues?
- What criteria do the associations use when selecting the city and venue for an event?

The report also draws on BSG's proprietary database of major exhibitions in China which has been built up since the company's formation in 2000.

For this report, BSG conducted interviews with major trade associations, exhibition organisers and relevant government officials. In addition, BSG leveraged our comprehensive database of business events in China to identify the key trade associations and exhibitions.

In the 1980's, trade associations in China used to be virtually indistinguishable from the government. The relationship has evolved significantly since then. Most trade associations no longer receive direct financial subsidies, but they do receive other forms of government support and key management positions at associations tend to be held by ex-government officials.

Key sources of revenue are fees from members and event organisation. BSG estimates that membership fees account for 70%-80% of trade association revenues and event-related revenues account for 10%-20%. The trade associations play a role in organising forums, seminars, conferences and large-scale exhibitions. They are either given a percentage of revenues or fixed fees.

The involvement of the association can range from lending their name to an event to actively promoting the event to their membership and taking responsibility for organisational tasks. Event organisers that work with trade associations in China most value the association's close relationship with relevant government authorities and their membership database.

Although the government in China is now less directly financially responsible for trade associations, it still maintains a strong interest in controlling associations as a whole. Additionally, the market in China views trade associations as a bridge between enterprises and the government that often communicates and even assists to implement the government's policies.

Most events organised by Chinese trade associations currently are still held in the Chinese mainland. However, the rapid development of Macau, modelled on Las Vegas, may alter China's events market in the coming years. Currently, Macau remains somewhat of an unknown amongst associations. Many view it as an immature location for events, but most have not yet been there.

The associations interviewed listed the following factors that affect their decision as they select the location of an event:

- Location of the city relative to the manufacturing base for the event
- Opinion of the government authorities - who often affect a decision by providing incentives or even paying the full cost of the event
- Venue quality and available support services
- Quality of local infrastructure to support the event
This report also contains five sections of tables and figures outlining the following data:
- A list of the top 80 trade associations in China including events they support, membership figures and number of offices
- A list of the top associations ranked by their involvement in the top 50 events in China
- A detailed table outlining the top exhibitions in China and the trade associations that support those events
- A directory of the top trade associations in China including contact details (website, email, telephone number) when available
- A list profiling the top exhibitions in China

Key Topics Covered:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

KEY INSIGHTS FROM INTERVIEWS WITH ASSOCIATIONS

PROFILE OF ASSOCIATIONS AND RELATED EVENTS

TYPES OF ACTIVITIES

SOURCES OF REVENUE

RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT

VENUE AND LOCATION SELECTION OF EVENTS

TABLES OF KEY ASSOCIATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS

Tables

TABLE 1: TOP TRADE ASSOCIATIONS IN CHINA, EVENTS ORGANISED, MEMBERSHIP AND NUMBER OF OFFICE

TABLE 2: ASSOCIATIONS RANKED BY INVOLVEMENT IN TOP 50 EXHIBITIONS IN CHINA

TABLE 3: TOP EXHIBITIONS IN CHINA AND SUPPORTING TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

TABLE 4: CONTACT DETAILS OF TOP TRADE ASSOCIATIONS IN CHINA

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SOURCE: Research and Markets Ltd.
Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager
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