The China External Trade Development Council (CETRA) is planning to refund a portion of booth rental fees to exhibitors at the Taipei International Sporting Goods Show due to low turnout caused by fears about severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a council official said yesterday.
Attendance fell 47 percent, from 681 foreign visitors on the first day of the show last year to 360 visitors yesterday, according to CETRA.
"In an effort to ease the financial burden on show exhibitors, we've proposed the government refund a portion of booth rental fees," said Wang Yi-may (
The council is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The show rental fees are collected by the government, meaning refunds require the approval of the ministry.
"We reached a consensus with show exhibitors on Thursday and have submitted the proposal to the ministry," Wang said yesterday.
Refunds will be based on attendance. Last year's show attracted 1,887 foreign buyers. If the number drops 30 percent this year, exhibitors will be given a 30 percent discount. The maximum refund will be 50 percent, Wang said.
The rental fee for each booth is priced NT$28,400 to NT$37,000, depending on location.
Local sporting goods manufacturers applauded CETRA's plan.
"We are glad to hear of the decision," said Jane Wen (
She said the annual show is an international event and encouraged the show's continuation in order to promote Taiwan-based manufacturers. "But we need some help to maintain the bottom line," she said.
Meanwhile, at the venue, exhibitors said the large number of no-shows was obvious.
"The situation is terrible ? I think the buyer numbers fell nearly 90 percent [from last year]," said Wen Lo (
The news came as no surprise to vendors.
"Most regular clients notified us last week that they wouldn't attend the show because of SARS," she said.
Another exhibitor also estimated a 90 percent drop in buyers, saying this is the slowest sporting-goods show she has ever attended.
"In the morning, only two foreign buyers, one from Japan and the other from Australia, came to our booth," said Joyce Lee (
At previous shows, Lee said, she had to scramble to handle the number of buyers.
Even with the low attendance, exhibitors are still trying their best to do business.
"While there are not many buyers coming, we have more time to talk to customers and build stronger relations," said Jimmy Chiang (江哲民), marketing director at Johnson Health Tech Co (喬山健康科技), a fitness-equipment manufacturer.
Buyers also have plenty of time to test products, he said.
A total of 269 Taiwanese and foreign sporting goods manufacturers are setting up 1,308 booths at the 30th annual show. The show runs through Monday at the Taipei World Trade Center. The show is not open to the public.
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