East China's Shanghai is buzzing with energy this summer – defying the typical slowdown in the exhibition industry during the dog days of July and August.

Following a raft of high-profile events like the 2024 World AI Conference & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance and the Shanghai Book Fair, the 2024 Intertextile (Autumn/Winter) expo opened its doors at the National Exhibition and Convention Center on Aug 27.

This year's expo spans a whopping 240,000 square meters and features nearly 4,000 exhibitors from 26 countries and regions.

The UK Fashion and Textile Association, or UKFT, is back for a third year, bringing with it 20 woolen textile companies from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A UKFT spokesman noted a significant shift in product offerings over the past five years, reflecting changing circumstances and tastes.

"Five years ago, we focused on traditional fabrics such as navy wool and pinstripes. Now, with more people working from home, there's less demand for formal office wear. Instead, consumers are gravitating toward bold patterns for social occasions," he explained.

Exhibitors are optimistic about the opportunities the event offers. A spokesperson for Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH – one of the world's biggest exhibition groups – expressed excitement about the strong representation of small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up 95 percent of the company's exhibitors.

The spokesperson added that the German exhibition giant emphasized the value of connecting directly with potential clients,.

Clearly, Shanghai's exhibition scene is thriving with 260 events held in the first half of the year – a significant increase compared with previous years. The growth is seen as a positive sign for China's wider economy, with the hope that these exhibitions will bring more small businesses into action and drive economic growth forward.