Since 2019, when APLF was last held in Hong Kong, face-to-face access to buyers from China and Southeast Asia has been limited due to travel and quarantine restrictions for international travelers. Now, however, the ten-nation ASEAN bloc has re-opened for business and with Bangkok at its commercial hub, the city will be the restart point to welcome back Asia-Pacific (APAC) buyers.
It is with this background in mind that leading leather producing country associations, exhibitors and partners of APLF requested an event to be held in Southeast Asia this year 2022. It is paramount for business to reopen links with buyers from this region who had not been seen in person since APLF 2019.
APLF ASEAN will be in a 3-in-1 format combining Leather, Materials+ and Fashion Access, with more than 300 exhibitors from around the world expected. It is among the first events to be held in QSNCC, a world-class exhibition center situated in downtown Bangkok, and about to be in service starting September 2022.
The enthusiasm generated by APLF ASEAN in Bangkok has secured the active support of two of ASEAN’s leading tanning and footwear associations – namely the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (LEFASO) and the Thai Tanning Industry Association (TTIA).
“This special edition is made to reunite the international exhibitors and APAC buyers. While APLF Dubai in March was supported by many Middle East and North African countries, we look forward to seeing more Southeast Asian buyers this time. A bit different from what we have had before, APLF ASEAN is not merely a tradeshow, but also combining matching, education and experiential elements.” stated David Bondi, Director of APLF and Senior Vice President at Informa Markets Asia.
For more information, please visit www.aplf.com.