SHG EXPO

About the fair

Hats, scarves, gloves and similar items not only provide functions such as shade and warmth but also serve as fashion statements for consumers seeking personalized wear. The 9th Shanghai International Hats, Scarves, Gloves Expo (HSGE), co-organized by the Shanghai Fashion Accessories Society, its Accessories Committee and Shanghai Gehua Exhibition Service Co., Ltd., takes place at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. HSGE has grown alongside the industry since its founding. Exhibits cover hats, headwear, scarves, shawls and gloves, plus related raw and auxiliary materials and production equipment; sun-protection products such as face masks, sleeves, sunglasses and sun-protective clothing have also been added. The organizers aim to make HSGE a B2B sourcing event for fashion wear covering the entire production chain, categories and production areas of headwear, scarves, gloves and sun protection.

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.