The 18th edition of SPINEXPO Shanghai, which was held from 6-9 September 2011 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, recorded a record 10,285 visitors.

The exhibition keeps attracting major visitors who come from 55 countries and it registered a 32% increase in numbers compared to the previous Autumn/Winter 2010 season, and 9% increase compared to the excellent Spring/Summer 2011 session which was held for the last time at the Pudong Expo Center.

"SPINEXPO promotes in a very selective way and is not targeting an important increase in visitors, but aims at making sure the quality of the visiting companies is the main issue, providing exhibitors a real platform to achieve the best potential results," the show's organisers said.

"A survey was conducted during the registration process to check which way of promotion achieved the best results. The results show that personal invitation to visiting companies and regular professional emailing with information on exhibiting companies' new strategies, products, and targeted information on the spinning and knitting sectors of industry are the most efficient way of promotion," they added.

The number of Chinese visitors rose to 8228, a 6% increase over the previous session, while overseas visitors reached 2057, showing a regular and important increase compared with the previous seasons (1046 visitors in Autumn/Winter 2010 (50%) and (1715 visitors in Spring/Summer 2011 (20%).

"This increase of visitors does not reflect equally on the results of the exhibiting companies: the best results are achieved by spinning mills which are regular exhibitors to the show and deliver correctly, in quality and respect of timing. The quality of the visitors reflects their way of selecting, based on the professionalism of their suppliers," the organisers explained, adding:

"This is also reflected in the visitors' way of attending the show, with a regular increase of pre-registrations, including visitors from Mainland China. For instance, among the 2057 visitors from overseas, 1610 pre-registered. We plan to take this aspect of the show into consideration and provide the pre-registered visitors with additional information ahead of the show (information on exhibitors' products, new developments, individual colour cards, etc...)."

In term of visitors by business nature, the designers' category showed the highest increase, underlining the quality of the trend forum information, organised by Sophie Steller and Sheila-Mary Carruthers' studios. Visitors by textile sector remains stable compared to the previous session, with 53% originating from the flat-bed knit industry.

"Moving to the newly opened Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center was not a very easy process, since neither the organiser nor the technical team in charge of the Venue had any previous experience of the Exhibition Hall, and we experienced a problem with the lift on move out time. We are working hand in hand with the Venue Management who cares a lot to have the show continuing in their Venue, to clear most of the problems for the coming sessions," the organisers said.

The Trend Forum offered a central part dedicated to activewear, which was achieved through the partnership of Santoni China and Chemtax Hong Kong. SPINEXPO says it believes strongly in this sector of the garment industry and is backing up the excellent technology provided by the machinery developers.

Styled by the designer Ffion Appleton and Giovanni Cavagna, a collection of garments highlighting the importance of circular knits as an everyday life essential was on display. Inspired by the world of sports, the seamless performance yarns with ventilation and performance aspects was executed in a decorative way concealing its function but highlighting its aesthetic appeal.

Cashmere Futurism was another specific trend area celebrating the importance and versatility of cashmere yarns and its luxury. Styled by Studio Roam from Scotland this display area aimed at rethinking the traditions and reinvent the rules to create youthful, modern looks and repositioning cashmere to express vitality offering new possibilities of designs influenced by active pursuits and dynamic movement.