Press Releases

SOURCE INTERNATIONAL OPENS IN NEW YORK

NEW YORK (Jan. 12, 2003) -- Source International (Si), the global sourcing and supply chain management trade fair, opened today at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Manhattan. Serving the North American sewn products market, the show is designed to bring together the total supply chain of the worldwide footwear, leather goods, luggage, leather apparel andcomponents industries. More than 300 exhibitors from 24 countries spanning Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Scandinavia are taking part in the show.

Si is drawing suppliers and vendors from every sector of the supply chain, including companies that create technologies for managing the complex logistics in the process of changing raw materials into finished products.

The first sale of the day occurred within a half-hour of the show's opening, when a Canadian company signed a contract with a Chinese company.

"But this show is mainly about making contacts, not signing contracts, so we are very pleased to see business being done on the exhibition floor," said Michael Kazakoff, vice president of CMP Princeton Inc., organizers of the sourcing fair. "The show is really bringing the world's suppliers and vendors to the American marketplace."

John Brearley, vice president/executive director of Investronica, which sells computerized material-cutting equipment, was enthusiastic about the quality of the people he met on opening day. "Usually at a trade show, you may get 45 business cards in a day, 40 of which you throw out," he said. "Today I have a stack of 30 business cards with notes on them for follow-up contact after the show."

Brearley also noted that every world region where Investronica has either a sales office or distributor is represented at the show, and the fact that Si is being held in New York also is a plus. "We've made some good contacts in New York, where we don't have an office," he said.

Si comprises three vertically integrated shows:

Material Source - showcases leather, textiles, synthetics, trims and components.

Technology Source - highlights leading-edge systems and technologies implemented for design, supply chain management, logistics, packaging, on-line payment and marketing.

Fashion Source - features the world's suppliers of footwear, leather goods, luggage, leather apparel and accessories.

Si runs through Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Jacob K. Javits Center, 655 W. 34th Ave. Exhibition hours are Monday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tuesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Si is managed by CMP Princeton Inc., an affiliate of CMP Asia Ltd., Asia's largest independent trade fair organizer and publisher. United Business Media (NYSE: UNEWY), parent company of CMP Asia, is one of the world's leading business-to-business media and information companies.

Media Contact:
Buck Banks
Stuart Newman Associates
(305) 461-3300
email: bbanks@newmanpr.com

###