Sourcing Beyond Borders - Canton Fair 2026
Description
A free Sydney information night for Australian business owners exploring Canton Fair 2026, international product sourcing, procurement and product development.
Hosted by Gravitie at Haymarket HQ, Sourcing Beyond Borders is a practical introduction to Canton Fair and a needs-led approach to international sourcing.
Discover how businesses across hospitality, construction and retail can identify genuine sourcing opportunities, turn them into a clear sourcing brief and explore what could be investigated at Canton Fair.
Gravitie is heading to Canton Fair this October—connecting Australian businesses with manufacturing, product development and sourcing opportunities across one of the world’s largest supplier networks.
Join us in person or virtually for a practical evening exploring what could be sourced, developed or improved for your business—and why successful sourcing starts with understanding what you actually need.
You don’t need to be attending Canton Fair. Gravitie is going—so your sourcing opportunity can travel with us.
Canton Fair demonstrates the enormous scale of what’s possible. Gravitie helps you identify the opportunity relevant to your business, turn it into a proper sourcing brief and determine how it could be investigated at the Fair.
What we’ll cover
What Canton Fair is, how large it is and why it matters
What Gravitie learned from Hotelex Shanghai—and why we’re heading to Canton Fair
How to identify a genuine sourcing, product development or improvement opportunity within your business
Why effective sourcing follows the order: Needs first. Market second. Supplier third.
How a clear sourcing brief reduces wasted time, unsuitable options and costly assumptions
How Gravitie can take a relevant sourcing opportunity to Canton Fair on your behalf
Who this event is for
This evening is designed for Australian business owners, operators and project leaders—particularly across hospitality, construction and retail—who are:
Looking for a product, material, equipment item or supplier
Developing or improving an existing product or range
Planning a venue, project, refurbishment or business expansion
Curious about international sourcing but unsure where to begin
Interested in Canton Fair without needing to attend it themselves
You don’t need an established sourcing brief or prior international sourcing experience. Bring a business need, an unresolved product challenge or simply your curiosity about what may be possible.
Bring your sourcing opportunity
Gravitie will help you begin turning your opportunity into a practical sourcing brief. Paper briefs will be available at the event, or you can complete one via QR code afterward.
Submitted briefs will be reviewed by Gravitie, and we’ll confirm which opportunities are suitable to investigate at Canton Fair.
Submissions close 20 October, ahead of Gravitie’s departure for the Fair.
Agenda
- 5:45 pm
Doors open
Arrival and registration
- 6:00 pm
Welcome and introductions
An introduction to Gravitie and the evening
- 6:15 pm
Canton Fair briefing
What it is, its scale and why it matters
- 6:30 pm
The Hotelex Shanghai story
What Gravitie learned and why we’re heading to Canton Fair
- 6:45 pm
Needs first. Market second. Supplier third.
Identifying a genuine opportunity and turning it into a useful sourcing brief
- 7:15 pm
Questions and discussion
Open Q&A, taking your opportunity forward - sourcing brief handout and next steps
- 7:30 pm
Networking
Food, drinks and conversation
FAQs
- Can I attend virtually?
Yes. A virtual attendance option will be available for anyone who cannot join us at Haymarket HQ.
Select Virtual attendance when registering. Joining instructions and the private event link will be sent to registered virtual attendees before the event.
- Do I need to be attending Canton Fair?
No. Gravitie is attending Canton Fair so that relevant sourcing opportunities can travel with us. The event is designed for Australian businesses that want to explore what may be possible without attending the Fair themselves.
- Do I need to have a sourcing brief prepared?
No. You can attend with a business need, product idea or unresolved challenge. Paper sourcing briefs will be provided during the event, and a QR code will be available if you would prefer to complete yours afterward.
- What kinds of opportunities can I submit?
You may have a product, material, equipment or supplier requirement; an existing product or range you want to improve; or an idea you would like to develop. Gravitie’s approach begins with understanding the business need before identifying the right market or supplier.
- Will every submitted opportunity be investigated at Canton Fair?
Gravitie will review each submitted sourcing brief and confirm which opportunities are suitable to investigate at Canton Fair. Suitability will depend on the requirement, its relevance to the Fair and whether there is enough information to conduct a useful investigation.
- When do sourcing brief submissions close?
Sourcing brief submissions close on 20 October 2026, ahead of Gravitie’s departure for Canton Fair.
- What happens after I submit a sourcing brief?
Gravitie will review all submitted briefs following the event and confirm directly with each business whether their opportunity will be investigated at Canton Fair, ahead of the team's departure.
- Is the event free?
Yes. Registration is free and includes light food and drinks. Places are limited, so advance registration is required.
- Are dietary requirements catered for?
Yes. A dietary requirements field will be included at registration — please let us know any needs when you book so we can accommodate them on the night.
- Is there parking near the venue?
Haymarket HQ is close to public transport, with Central Station and light rail stops within easy walking distance. Limited paid parking is available nearby; public transport is recommended given the CBD location.
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