Eurobike and Interbike shows are for end users, the Taipei International Cycle Show is for professionals and trend setters, of course anybody may attend the show, but be aware that if you plan to do business you need to be able to place volume orders.
2011 Taipei International Cycle Show is held on 16-19 March 2011 at the new TWTC Nangand Exhibition Hall.
First of all, Taipei Cycle Show is held in Taipei city (2 million people) on Taiwan island (South of China mainland)
About Visa needs, either you go for Business or for tourism, if you hold a passport from USA, Canada, EU, Japan, Australia, New-Zealand, UK you do not need to apply for a visa, you'll receive a 30 days FREE visa at the customs check point.
So no need to worry about this unless, if in doubt, just check with your local Taiwan Consulate. Also, make sure you passport is still valid 6 months after the date of entry, this is common requirement for most of the world customs.
Right away, the first thing to do is to Register yourself online as a Visitor of the Show, this will allow the Show organizer to send you:
Free buyer badge with free entry tickets
Up to date exhibition news and e-newsletter
Free Taitra lounge service
Free Taiwan business Tour informations
Free pass and badge delivered to your hotel
Here is the direct link to the 2011 show Visitor pre-registration.
From the Airport, change money AFTER you passed Customs. Depending of your budget, get a taxi or a bus to your hotel.
Depending of where you stay, you might also have a shuttle waiting for you at your arrival.
Move around town with the MRT, The city's Mass Rapid Transit system (Metro), taxi are cheap, subway is great and fast!
When you attend the Show, make sure to have a LOT of business card and good walking shoes because you are going to spend most of the day standing.
Internet is available for free on site, you do not need to carry your Laptop there.
Food and drinks are also available in various spot during the show, but I strongly advise you to carry and drink a lot of water. It is hot air in the show hall.
There are lockers, put your stuff there during the time you move around the show.
Depending of what you are after, a couple of days is a good timing, the last day can be skipped as most business is done and a lot of exhibitor already pack their stuff.
The best way to manage your time is to have a quick walk all around and makes appointment to the exhibitor that interest you, prepare a "lift speech" to speed up what you want and are looking for, you'll save a lot of time.
If you don't know what you are looking for before you go there, you are going to make no business because the offers are endless (it is like surfing internet when you don't know what you are looking for).
Quotes are in US Dollar currency.
The keys trading questions to ask are:
- What is your lead time (manufacturing)
- What is your minimum quantity or price? (Most of the time it goes by 40 Feet container minimum or by 10.000 USD mini order)
- Ask for FOB pricing estimation (meaning Shipping from factory to your nearest port, you'll have to sort out freight and customs clearance fees, this is YOUR job, not the seller job).
- Any hideen fees? (agent usually includes their margin in the total cost, if you want to bargain, you'll need to make it a win/win situation by offering to buy bigger volume, you are looking for long term quality partnership, not bargains!)
Everybody is very polite, well mannered and friendly so you should act the same.
Taipei Cycle show market is for middle to high end bicycles and parts, if you are looking for lower priced market products, then you need to go to Shangai Cycle Show or Vietnam Cycle Show that are picking up and a lot of Taiwan manufacturer own factories in order to keep low costs.
Taipei is a great Asian city with plenty of night markets and eating out places, it is a relatively safe city.
Get outside your hotel and enjoy local food!
Don't waste your time go to the top of Taipei 101, it is more impressive form outside than from the top, spend that money on local food at local market!
Not everybody speaks english, so just smile and enjoy the place.
Visit "Shilin Night Market" Taipei best night market, best time to get there is between 9:00pm and midnight. (Getting to Shilin Night Market: Take the MRT (Danshui Line) to Jiantan Station)
Keep an eye on your wallet
At local market (Not Tourist market!) it is necessary to haggle for your price, so come with a price in mind and bargain upwards to reach an agreement with the seller, it shows you are really interested in the product, it is an ancient form of trading respect, great practice for the Taipei Trade Show). It is common practice to ask for a 10 to 20 percent discount at the beginning.
Lonely Planet Taiwan (kindle)
The Rough Guide to Taiwan (Rough Guide Taiwan)
Taipei In A Day Includes: Taiwan From A To Z, First Edition
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