TRADE MISSION FOR THE LIGHTING INDUSTRY October 16 – 25 US-China Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit, non-governmental, non-political member support organization headquartered in Chicago, is planning to organize a Trade Mission to attend The China (Guzhen) International Lighting Fair 2004 in Zhongshan, China, which is about two hours away from Hong Kong, from October 18 to 23 this year. We are making this special trip because this every-other-year lighting show is one of the largest in the world. Guzhen, the unofficial lighting industry capital of China, is the home of many lighting companies in China. According to the organizers of the program, over 500,000 visitors attended the Fair two years ago, and the total transaction volume was 6.82 billion RMB or US$800 million. About half was domestically related. It is anticipated that about 700 exhibitors will be at the Fair this year.
Schedule: Details of  the Trip in  China             Start to Register :  Trade Mission Registration

In addition to attending the Trade Fair, we will also visit showrooms, distributors, retail stores, and manufacturers. USCCC will also use its best efforts to arrange private meetings and visits with some of the potential business partners for members of the Delegation in other cities including Shanghai and Zhejiang. To conclude the Trade Mission, members of the Delegation will have an option to go to visit the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing to learn more of the history and culture of China for two days before they return home.

The purpose of the Trade Mission is to provide first hand experience to US lighting fixture companies to understand the opportunities and challenges facing the industry in the US at an affordable price. Your trip cost, which includes visa, transportation, both ground and airfare, accommodation, foods, interpreters, and other business related items is US$5,500 per person. The only additional cost for which you are responsible will be any incidental expenses that are to be incurred in the trip. Please note that this does not include your trip to Beijing, which is optional and will cost an additional of US$1,250.

According to the Department of Commerce, the total employment in the lighting industry in the US has remained relatively flat over the last few years. However, the number of production workers has declined from 42,300 to 39,900 and the value of imports has increased substantially from US$2.8 billion to US$4.7 billion, respectively from 1997 to 2001. As one of our missions is to help our members to stay competitive in this global market, USCCC has conducted a series of programs to address such issues and to provide relevant information to the public regarding some of the strategies and common mistakes made by uninformed corporate executives in their US-China business activities. Hence, this Trade Mission is tailored for the industry to that effect.

I hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to join us on this Trade Mission. Please contact me at 312-368-9911 if you have any questions. Due to a very tight schedule, please complete the attached form and send it back to us via fax at 312-368-9922 at your earliest convenience.

 Thank you.