Terry Towners Exploring the Canton Fair

For another year, our Terry Town team embarks on an exciting journey to the Orient in search of innovative products for our company. Our dedicated team members—Eva, Matt, Sy, Alp, and Esmeralda—set out to discover new and unique items for the upcoming year.

We want to give you an inside look at what it takes to go overseas on this mission. It all begins with a 16-hour flight to Guangzhou, a city that many may not know is the third largest in China with a staggering population of 15.31 million people. For perspective, the city of San Diego has just 1.381 million residents. Guangzhou, an incredible city, hosts the largest trade fair in China, a prestigious event that has been running for 65 years and has established connections with over 229 countries and regions worldwide. Walking through the fair, you hear a symphony of languages, a testament to its global reach and appeal.

The Canton Fair is an awe-inspiring complex comprising four expansive buildings. Navigating this massive venue, we rely heavily on our teammate Eva—without her, we'd surely get lost. Over the course of five intense days, we average 18,000 steps daily as we explore the tradeshow floors. We discover new vendors, investigate cutting-edge products, learn about the latest materials and decoration methods, and brainstorm & design new products on the go. This fast-paced, rewarding experience allows us to gather a wealth of knowledge and innovative ideas to bring back to our company and industry.

A special shout-out and heartfelt thanks to Eva, who expertly guides us every year and graciously shares her beautiful country with us. She ensures we are well taken care of every step of the way. We truly couldn't do it without you, Eva. Thank you!

Check out our quick video that captures the essence of our journey.