R + T ASIA

About the fair

R+T Asia is an exhibition of roller shutters, blinds, sun-protection systems, doors, and rolling and garage doors. It focuses on demand from the Asia-Pacific markets as well as the import of foreign and export of Chinese quality products. Visitors find many new technologies and innovative products — R+T Asia is the only show of its kind in Asia. Highlights: located in Shanghai, one of the world's most prosperous markets; the best buying platform in the APAC region; an exclusively B2B format for maximum time efficiency; a 50-year international reputation as the dominant trade show for this market; and a scale of 50,000 sq m with over 31,000 visitors from 98 countries and nearly 519 exhibitors from 19 countries. R+T Asia offers unique high-level meetings with international speakers and industry experts and educational seminars (such as Smart Home). Product categories: roller shutters, window shutters, windows, awnings, blinds, interior sun protection, technical textiles and textile structures, doors and gates, grilles and railings, drives and control systems, electrical security equipment, furniture and interiors, computer systems and services.

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.