Asia's largest stationery and office products tradeshow just got even better. International Stationery and Office Products Fair Tokyo (ISOT), which will be held this year from July 7-9 (Thurs-Sat) at Tokyo Big Sight in Japan, is known in the industry as one of the world's best venues for on-site business. This year the show stands to attract even more major Japanese and international exhibitors, and two more trade fairs, Tokyo International Book Fair (TIBF) and the newly launched Scrapbooking Fair, will be held concurrently. These developments have resulted in the most enthusiastic response on record from the industry, with 750 exhibitors from over 20 countries and a projected 45,000 buyers poised to take advantage of ISOT 2005.

For 16 consecutive years ISOT has maintained its position as Asia's largest stationery fair, bolstered in recent years by the concurrently held International Office Machines & Equipment Expo Tokyo (OFMEX), which made its inaugural appearance in 2003. The cause and effect of the fair's staying power is that it has become an essential venue for any company looking to make bulk purchases of stationary and related products from Japanese, Asian, and other countries. Total on-site orders based on reports from exhibitors and visitors alike increase in parallel with the show's size and many report that ISOT is a vital part of their yearly business plan.

Active on-site business is the major reason for the show's continued growth and expansion. The number of exhibitors has shot up nearly 20% in the space of one year, with 750 in 2005 to 2004's 639. The projected visitor count has also increased by 15%, up to 45,000 from 39,083 last year. Expansion is not only reflected in sheer numbers, as many exhibitors from 2004 have opted to expand their booth space in order to display more product, enhance their offering and accommodate more buyer meetings.

Every year ISOT brings Japan's best brands out for display under one roof. Visiting buyers are able to peruse the newest collections of such top Japanese makers as Pentel, Tombow, Zebra, Lihit Lab, PLUS, King Jim, and many more. The range of countries exhibiting also contributes to the diverse atmosphere of the show. Not only Japanese exhibitors, but also those from Asian countries such as Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China, as well as the USA, UK, France, Germany and Italy travel the distance to build their business in the Asian market.

The incredible range of products on display at ISOT is also cited as another reason for the show's heavy attendance. In addition to a variety of new and innovative core products such as writing instruments, paper products, and greeting cards, the show boasts a range of niche products. Such hard-to-find goods as Braille signs, business card cases, balloons, easels, recycled goods, mousepads are arrayed alongside industry mainstays like frames, wrapping materials, and software.

The show is also perfectly timed to give buyers instant access to lines and products developed for the Christmas season. Not only domestic, but also thousands of overseas buyers descend in droves on ISOT to take advantage of the many special on-site deals from Japanese and international exhibitors. Aida de Vasconcelos of Portuguese OP maker Bisilque reports, "In addition to Japanese buyers, we saw many overseas buyers from Korea, Malaysia, the USA, and even some European buyers from Germany, France, the Czech Republic, and so on."

At ISOT 2005, the inaugural Scrapbooking Fair will debut to strengthen the already booming performance of ISOT. Scrapbooking is growing rapidly as a hobby and industry in Japan and Asia, with significant growth anticipated in the next few years. One sign of scrapbooking's ascendance in Japan is that many stores, including Itoya, Japan's leading stationary store, have devoted entire floors to scrapbooking. Already a number of exhibitors from Japan, Asia, and other overseas countries have committed to participate in this inaugural edition, which will be the first of its kind in Japan.

Exhibitors will display scrapbooking tools and materials such as cutters and scissors, paper punches, paper edgers, seals and stickers, albums and frames, adhesives, paper products, pens and writing materials, photo-related goods, and other accessories. Expected visitors include wholesalers and importers/exporters, retailers such as stationery shops, department stores, home centres, convenience stores, hobby and handicraft shops, book stores, and gift shops, and buyers from mail order companies, hotels, wedding companies, schools, among others.

Further contributing to the growth of ISOT in 2005 is the Tokyo International Book Fair (TIBF), Asia's leading publishing trade fair, which has changed its date to run concurrently with ISOT. The fair is known as a venue for negotiating publishing rights, co-edition publication, the buying and selling of Japanese and international titles, and related business. It will attract 650 exhibitors from 25 countries and 53,000 visitors this year. Many exhibitors and visitors anticipate crossover business between the two fairs, especially in licensing of rights for use of manga and comics characters on stationery products.