New markets, new opportunities: CIOSH expands to Thailand with Messe Düsseldorf

CIOSH in Shanghai is one of the most important occupational health and safety trade shows. Last year, Messe Düsseldorf reached an important milestone by signing a cooperation agreement with the China Textile Commerce Association (CTCA) with the aim of establishing CIOSH in other Asian countries, as well. Among the first moves was the expansion of the trade show to Thailand. Held there from June 5 to 7, the first CIOSH Thailand proved to be an immediate and complete success. Messe Düsseldorf has intensified its commitment in Asia across the board, not least through the establishment of the new regional hub Messe Düsseldorf for Asia, which is tasked with coordinating the efforts of the five Asian subsidiaries. Working under the umbrella of this new regional hub, Messe Düsseldorf Asia (Singapore), Messe Düsseldorf China (Hong Kong), Messe Düsseldorf India (New Delhi), Messe Düsseldorf Japan (Tokyo) and Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai (Shanghai) will seek to develop additional markets on the continent.

CIOSH will also benefit from this restructuring. Having taken place since 1966, the China Occupational Safety & Health Goods Expo (CIOSH) in Shanghai has evolved into one of the world's most important trade shows on workplace safety. The joint project of Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai and the CTCA is one of Messe Düsseldorf’s largest foreign trade shows, and it’s enormously important for both regional and international exhibitors. “The significance of CIOSH Shanghai for the regional occupational health and safety equipment industry is reflected, for example, in the great response to the first post-COVID event in 2023, which saw a 63.3% increase in attendance compared to CIOSH 2019,” says Marius Berlemann, Messe Düsseldorf’s operative managing director.

SAFETY-INXS is one of the exhibitors that will benefit from CIOSH’s standing. The company has been exhibiting at both A+A and CIOSH Shanghai for many years. Both events – A+A as a global industry meeting point on one side and the more regionally oriented CIOSH on the other – are now equally relevant for this manufacturer of industrial hand protection products. “The fact that both trade shows are dedicated to health and safety and are leaders in their respective regions makes them an excellent choice for our marketing and exhibition needs,” says SAFETY-INXS Vice President Jason Sparrow. Because the company was initially focused on international business, it initially exhibited only at A+A. After all, the event in Düsseldorf is the leading event on the subject of personal protective equipment (PPE). As the place where the industry’s global market leaders come together, it provides SAFETY-INXS with the opportunity to present its innovations and products to an international audience. “We didn’t start CIOSH Shanghai until a few years later, but we’ve come to recognize the importance of CIOSH and the Chinese market and put together a new team,” says Jason Sparrow. Ever since, CIOSH Shanghai has been SAFETY-INXS’ main event for the domestic market, a key opportunity for the sales team to meet customers from all over China.

But the number of potential customers from abroad is also increasing from year to year, which brings numerous benefits for exhibiting companies. More than 1,500 exhibitors from 14 countries took part in the first CIOSH Shanghai after the pandemic-induced break alone. The fact that CIOSH is now expanding into a further Asian market with the participation of Messe Düsseldorf Asia, Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai and CTCA is a source of great satisfaction for exhibiting companies such as SAFETY-INXS. As Jason Sparrow explains, “We were very successful on the Chinese mainland, which led to customers from Southeast Asia – for example from Thailand – also wanting to work with us and gain access to our products. That’s why it was only logical for our company to exhibit at CIOSH Thailand.” The expansion of the trade fair, which is being organized by two MD Group subsidiaries for the first time, will enable companies to tap into new markets even faster and in a more targeted manner. The same also applies to SAFETY-INXS, which is still relatively new to this market. Thanks to the expansion, a considerable number of new opportunities will open up for them and other exhibitors on the Asian market.

That, in turn, benefits A+A, whose portfolio CIOSH belongs to. The leading global trade show for occupational health and safety in Düsseldorf serves as a central hub for the industry. The expansion brings additional opportunities also for its customers in Asia, all while creating additional regional marketplaces. “The expansion of CIOSH to Thailand provides us with a major advantage in the  competitive international marketplace and makes us the industry leader in this area. Southeast Asia, as one of the most dynamic markets in the global economy, is of great interest to A+A customers, as well,” says A+A Director Lars Wismer. The numbers support the great potential of that regional market. The economy there grows at about 4.1% on average, and the market volume for PPE is expected to increase to up to eight billion dollars by 2030. “South East Asia’s economic status will continue to grow over the next few years – both for the PPE sector and for the other industries represented by our trade shows,” explains Gernot Ringling, Managing Director of MDA. That’s why it’s key to gain a foothold in these fast-growing markets, in particular.” And this plan seems to be succeeding. Following the successful launch of the first CIOSH Thailand, the decision has already been made to continue the event, which will return to Bangkok from June 4 to 6, 2025.