The total land area of the complex is 700000m². Sixteen exhibition halls are built, among which the land area of indoor exhibition halls is 160000m², and that of outdoor exhibition sites is 22000m². It is by now the largest exhibition centre in Asia.
Some shots of the exhibits.

China International Furniture Fair (CIFF) well known as “Asia’s Furniture Sourcing Center” has grown to be the most prominent and first-visited furniture trade show in Asia. The biannual event is consolidated to be the ideal stage for international trade players to witness the latest home furnishing trends and styles. It has been driving vigorous exports worldwide since the 1st edition in 1998.

During the exhibitions, information pack was given out freely. Within contains the vendor’s catalog as well as their contact cards. It is no surprise that the promoters are able to speak English fluently as the show attracts many overseas buyers. Certain exhibitors only allow exclusive entrance, most commonly after exchanging of name cards. This fair has not only serve its’ sole purpose of marketing the products but also allow networking of businessmen. With it’s diversity of style, there is something for everyone.

From what i observed, ready buyers walk around with calculators or briefcases in their hands. I think it was rather clear to the promoters that we are not buyers because went we do enter into some shops, they do not even acknowledge us. Bao Yi tried to grab an information pack from one of the counters but the person requested to have her name card. Special thanks to Yi Ling who took photos for me while i took notes. Bao Yi for helping me take information booklets for my article and lastly to Stephanie who helped me in every way.

Off we go after some missing people found their way back to the group. It was lunch and then a 1hr ride to Shunde where we will be staying for one night. Shunde Longjiang Yongxiang was our next stop. We got a tour of the factory and get to witness how wood pieces start from this to this-The wooden parts are rubber wood imported from Hainan. There are 2 factories with 200 workers. The reason for 2 factories is due to bad pollution that the one combined factory will produce. The cloth was from ZheJiang. Since the wood is imported, there will be some wetness in them so before they are used they are being heated.

Final products are exported to Middle East, European countries and even America. Though it started out in the 1980s, it was until August 2004 that a distribution factory was set up. They have their own personal design team and they do their own research to come up with new designs. 2-3k sofas are sold per year and 80% goes to Middle East, Europe and US. Can you believe that even after adding utilities and rent, operating cost per month is simply RMB200,000. One way of getting their customers was entering Canton Fair. To remain competitive, they even allow customizing of their customers' sofa designs. Another way was through their own personal website and trade companies to help push the products to foreign investors. They do not use distributor and simply sell to any trader who buy low and sell at a much higher price.

Since they produce and sell based on sales order, they face challenges of keeping up during the quiet seasons. Wholesale wise 1 set of sofa costs 3k and the market value would be 5k. Of course since the sofas are sold to overseas, there will be high transportation costs involve. This company really thinks of ways to overcome the problem when they are not allowed to use electricity for 2-3 days. And a sofa set requires 10 days to complete. Therefore, the solution is to have their own generator even though it brings more costs to the company. Like so many companies, quality is the key to cope with competition, YongXiang Furniture provides a quality guarantee of 1-2 years and even provide materials for you to repair the sofas yourself if need be. With such good benefits attached to the sofas, it is no wonder customers are willing to pay 30% downpayment. Lastly, when a customer terminates their trade with them, they will try to connect with the customers and find out the reason so as to imrpove themselves.

Afterwards was dinner, at the entrance of it we saw these

SNAKES!! Evelyn was really terrified as she kept screaming. The food that day was really good. We had something like Fried Milk.

That night, we gathered at the lobby but was later chased away by Dickson whom loudly declared that people are taking photos of us yet we don't know. Quickly, we left to a shopping centre nearby to do market research. Bao Yi, Stephanie, Yi Ling and i went on to search for a birthday cake for a certain someone. At one point Ms Ng joined us in our search. We met Lao Yao twice and later we found out he is also looking for a bakery shop to buy a cake for the same person. Our group met up with him at a dessert shop which he was having Ginger sauce on Buffalo Milk (姜汁撞奶). We were all very excited and started ordering desserts. Some of us have the Buffalo Milk since we had in the afternoon and really fell for it. It is something like the soya beancurd we have in Singapore. When Xiao Deng told us about it, we had our doubts. But after the 1st taste, we were hungry for more. And in such cold weather it really kept us warm.

A few of us decided to try something else 双皮奶. Either Lao Yao's memory was really bad or he was trying to be funny as he kept asking the waitress what he had at first. Can tell the waitress was losing her patience with him. Ms Ng was sharp to notice a couple carrying a cake box, so we enquire the location of the bakery from them. At the bakery, Lao Yao was flirting with the girl behind the counter but we finally bought a cake, courtersy of Chan Brother.

The cake itself.

It was back to the hotel. On our way back, Lao Yao did an experiment that when he walked alone, girls started approaching him for offer of services. It was something like what we would expect. The original plan was to celebrate the next day in the bus when it's also Andrea's actual birthday. But we figured it would be too messy so Ms Ng suggested we go to her room to celebrate on that very night. Back in our room, Andrea called us to talk and said that she's gonna sleep soon. I started panicking because it would mean we won't be able to celebrate for her at our orignal timeslot. Finally we decide to lie to her that Ms Ng wants us to gather in her room at 11 plus for a meeting. Since beth was her room mate, we couldn't let her in our plan as well. Zhe Ying went around to other rooms to let them know about the celebration. Soon everyone entered the room and we all started talking until Andrea arrives. Lao Yao was the man of the night. He managed to crap so much until it was nearly 12. And then it was celebration time!!Everyone squeesing in the room and singing Happy Birthday song.
See she's so touched until she cried. I won't put up her photo with the cake as her eyes were rather swollen in it. Hahah.

The cake was shared among most of us as some of them already brushed their teeth. Then some of the girls from another level told the teachers that those men who took photos of us back in the lobby went around their floor and started knocking on the doors of the girls. Luckily they looked through the peep hole and did not open the door. Arrangements were made for some guys from our floor to move up and the girls to move down. Lao Yao promised to settle the case with the hotel management.

Yi Ling, Stephanie, Bao Yi and i were worried because we found out that those men were living in the rooms directly opposite us. But we were less worried with Ms Ng next to us. Our doors were locked tight that night. Still think it's the fatigue and for Yi Ling who is not feeling well, we had a good night sleep. Not sure when we took this, but Ms Ng's feet was also involved. Guess we were all really very high.

Labels: birthday, furnitures, Guangzhou, Lao yao, Mr Wong, Ms Ng, Shunde, Xiao Deng