Chengdu Wine Fair to launch online platform

Supposed to take place this March, the China Food & Drinks Fair (CFDF) in Chengdu was postponed due to the outbreak of Covid-19. The new fair date is yet to be announced, but the show has recently unveiled an innovative trade show platform to be launched by the end of the month.

Aimed to, “fully utilise the data accumulated over the previous editions, provide value-added service for exhibitors and create more business opportunities for the industry”, the CFDF platform is a WeChat mini programme that offers trade show service and transaction matching.

The platform will showcase a “virtual exhibition hall” where exhibitors can list their products for visitors to preview and initiate preliminary interaction. The discussion can then continue on-site when the show takes place on its new dates. Via the integration of online and offline experience, CFDF is hoping to maximise the participation of exhibitors and visitors.

The platform uses data to smart match users with one another and functions such as chatbox and shareable calendars should ensure exhibitors and clients can communicate with one another properly.

The CFDF has tried to improve the show experience by adding other helpful tools on the platform, including transport maps, electronic journals, event schedule reminders and so on. While services such as online registration and documents management will be added at a later date. Live broadcasting is also a focus that the organiser would like to support in the future, in order to strengthen the online marketing campaigns of different brands and exhibitors.

By introducing the official online service platform, CFDF is hoping to bring changes to the traditional trade show exhibition format. The platform is going to be launched later this month and will be free of charge.

UPDATE: It has been reported that there are fake sites claiming to be the CFDF platform. These are data gathering scams and should be avoided. The official CFDF site is launching later this month and, furthermore, will be free of charge. Do not sign up to any website claiming to be connected to the CFDF platform at this time.