Music China On Course For Record Year

October’s Music China (Shanghai, 10th-13th October) looks likely to be a record-breaking show, this year expanded to 12 halls, according to the organiser.

This year’s show is expected to occupy 135,000 square metres  – an eight per cent increase compared to last year’s 125,000 square metres in 11 halls. As a result, the organiser estimates that exhibitor and visitor numbers will be up, from last year’s total of 2,124 exhibitors and 105,125 visitors.

Figures from China’s National Bureau of Statistics and General Administration of Customs suggest that in 2017, China’s import value of musical instrument, parts and accessories reached $405 million, up eight per cent compared to 2016. The China Musical Instrument Association also estimated that musical instrument sales within the country exceeded $6.1 billion in 2017, thanks to the increasing demand for music education and training in China.

Judy Cheung, deputy general manager of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai), said: “As a music trade event, Music China is unrivalled within the industry in Asia. The show acts as a perfect gateway for global brands to tap into Asian and Chinese markets, and successfully creates abundant business opportunities for the entire industry. Its effectiveness has been the reason that our exhibitors keep coming back year after year.”

Brands already committed to 2018’s show include: ABRSM, Alfred, BAM, BG, Bluethner, Buffet, Casio, D’Addario, ESP, Fazioli, Fender, GEWA, Hsinghai, Ibanez, Jinbao, Kawai, KORG, LTD, Marshall, Martin, Medeli, Meinl, Miyazawa, Muramatsu, Music Sales, Pearl River, Petrof, Roland, Samick, Sankyo, Sauter, Schimmel, Schott Music, Seiler, Selmer, Steingraeber, Steinway, Tama, Taylor and Yamaha. With seven months until the show opens its doors, over 80% booth space has already been reserved, the organiser adds.