BAUMA CHINA

About the fair

Bauma China is an international exhibition of construction machinery, building materials, construction machines and equipment, intended for the construction industry, trade and service providers. A spin-off of the international Bauma show in Munich, Bauma China has firmly established itself as the largest and most important industry event in Asia, driven by the continuous growth of Asia's global market and high demand in construction. International companies make important contacts and gain access to the Asian market, while Chinese national companies can strengthen their market presence and competitiveness. As a communication and information platform, it lets exhibitors and visitors from around the world do business, network and discuss future prospects with industry experts. Bauma China 2018 drew 3,350 exhibitors from 38 countries and 212,500 visitors (94% from Asia). Themed sections cover everything around the construction site — earthmoving machines, road construction and repair equipment, pipe- and cable-laying equipment, lifting devices and conveyors, concrete and mortar processing, formwork and scaffolding — plus raw-material extraction and processing, building-materials production (cement, lime, gypsum, concrete, asphalt, dry mixes), component and service suppliers, drive and fluid technology, testing and measurement, communication and navigation, and work safety.

Planning the trip

• Register the badge online. Every major fair issues visitor badges in advance, and on-site registration means queueing on the busiest morning of the show. Registration usually opens one to two months out.
• Check the visa position early. China's entry rules have changed repeatedly in recent years, including visa-free arrangements for a growing list of countries and transit exemptions. Confirm what applies to your passport for this month, and ask the organiser for an invitation letter if a business visa is needed — issuing one is routine.
• Book accommodation before the dates firm up. A large fair fills its host city and rates move accordingly. Cancellable bookings made early cost less than confirmed ones made late.
• Decide which halls before you arrive. The bigger Chinese fairs run to several halls across separate phases, and walking them without a plan burns a day. Shortlist the stands you need and treat anything else as a bonus.
• Plan the follow-up, not just the visit. Business cards collected at a fair convert poorly once you fly home: quotes arrive in patchy English, samples stall, and the time difference eats a day per exchange. Deciding who handles that before you travel is what makes the trip pay for itself.