ISOT Reports Huge Growth and New Developments
Record 850 Exhibitors and New Concurrent Events to Boost Overall Attendance

Asia's largest stationery and office products tradeshow International Stationery and Office Products Fair Tokyo (ISOT), which will be held this year from July 6-8 (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 Japanese and international exhibitors, along with three more trade fairs, Tokyo International Book Fair (TIBF) and the highly successful Scrap booking Fair, and the all-new GIFTEX 2006. ISOT has witnessed the most enthusiastic response ever from the industry, with 850 exhibitors from over 20 countries and a projected 45,000 buyers poised to take advantage of ISOT 2006.

Trade volumes increase-Exhibitor's report a few hunded million yen in on-site sales
For the last 17 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 and also Asia's first scrap-booking fair that started last year. Bulk purchases of stationery and related products from Japanese, Asian, and other countries continued as total on-site orders based on reports from exhibitors and visitors increased. ISOT continues to be a vital part of the yearly business plan for most exhibitors. Michael Hartfelder, owner of L.M. Kartenvertrieb and Verlags (Germany) says "ISOT is great for helping me find distributors for my card lines and OEM buyers and to sell our product. The show is also important for us to see what is trendy in Japan to help us decide what we can sell here. The buyer's reactions are also very useful in helping us select product for this market".

ISOT has made vast inroads into on-site increase in business as 39,229 buyers come from all around the country last year. Kintetsu Department Store in Osaka Prefecture says that they stocked 20 million yen worth of stationery. Moreover, Maruzen Tokyo purchased hi-design stationery worth 10 million yen.

"Talking trade through b2b discussions" has become the key event at this event as many companies come to launch their new products. Exhibitors take prior appointments and physically set up special areas in their booths for business talks that is conducive to the trade environment. This has had direct results on trade for companies such as Futaba 220 million yen, Midori 149 million yen, and the Riso Kagaku at 100 million yen.

One-stop shopping experience
This year too ISOT will bring Japan's best brands out for display under one roof. Visiting buyers will be able to look at the latest collections of such top Japanese brands as Pentel, Tombow, Zebra, PLUS, King Jim, Shachihata, Max, Midori 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 All-New variety gift show-GIFTEX
At ISOT 2006, the inaugural GIFTEX will debut to strengthen the already strong performance of ISOT. As the term"variety gift" suggests, a vast range of products will be exhibited, that include health products, bath and beauty goods, home interiorproducts, hobby and art supplies, tableware, party goods, novelty gifts, and much more. Visitors shall include buyers from various gift and lifestyle shops, department stores, online and catalogue shopping. The unique focus provided by GIFTEX shall help buyers meet their goals in a one-stop focused shopping expedition.

GIFTEX shall succeed as Japan's only truly international show where foreign exhibitors shall aim to attract 23000 buyers from gifts shops who are looking to import. The special exhibit area for cutting edge design from all over the world shall include special participation from Sweden, Denmark and other Scandinavian countries apart from major manufacturers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia who have also expressed strong interest to exhibit in the show.

A whole world of scrapbooking materials gathered under one roof-Scrapbooking fair
This section has proved to be a very popular section with visitors. The Japanese market for scrapbooking is very big and is as yet untapped. With the saturation of the markets in the west the scrapbooking industry is looking for new markets and Japan offers the perfect solution. The second scrapbooking fair this year will witness a 60% increase compared to last year and foreign participation will triple in size.

Japan's largest publishing event-Tokyo International Book Fair
Further contributing to the growth of ISOT in 2005 is the Tokyo International Book Fair (TIBF), Asia's leading publishing trade fair. The fair is known as a venue for negotiating publishing rights, co-edition publications, the buying and selling of Japanese and international titles, and related business. It will attract an increased 750 exhibitors from 28 countries and 53,000 visitors this year.