What to really expect at this year’s show – and how to work it like a pro.

So you’re planning for Guangzhou Design Week. Good call. Having walked these halls for the better part of a decade, I can tell you this: come prepared, and it’s gold. Come unprepared, and you’re just another face in the 400,000-strong crowd.

Let’s cut through the marketing speak. Here’s what actually matters.

The Lay of the Land: Three Worlds, One City

Forget thinking of this as one big show. It’s not. The three venues operate like separate kingdoms, each with its own culture and specialty.

Poly: Where Things Get Built

This is the hardware store from heaven. We’re talking structural materials, smart home systems, and everything for full-home customization. The conversations here get technical. People are comparing substrate densities and finish durability. If your project involves walls, floors, or anything structural, start here. The vibe is all business.

IPC: The Feel-Good District

Walk into the International Procurement Center, and the atmosphere shifts. This is soft furnishings territory – fabrics, lighting, furniture, and decor. It’s where spaces get their personality. Designers flock here for tactile inspiration. The lighting is better, the displays are more curated, and you’ll see people actually touching things.

Haizhu: The Grown-Ups’ Table

Outdoor living, high-end craftsmanship, and proper art pieces. Haizhu moves at a slower pace. The products have more breathing room, and so do the visitors. If you’re working on luxury residential or boutique hospitality projects, this is where you’ll find those signature pieces that make a space memorable.

2025 Guangzhou Design Week

The Real Work Happens Between the Halls

Anyone can collect brochures. The professionals do things differently.

Your Phone is Your Office

I clear my calendar before this show. Why? Because the most valuable meetings happen spontaneously. That supplier you’ve been emailing for months? Grab 20 minutes with them at a café between halls. That connection you made in a forum? Follow up immediately. This face time is priceless.

The 60-Minute Manufacturing Advantage

Here’s something you won’t read in the official guide: some of the region’s best manufacturing isn’t even on the show floor. Take Kanod – their factory sits about an hour from the venues. While they’re not exhibiting this year, their proximity means you can actually see the production lines that bring these designs to life. For serious buyers, that factory visit often reveals more than any booth ever could.

2025 Guangzhou Design Week

Working the Show Like a Veteran

Comfort Trumps Style

Seen someone hobbling in dress shoes by 2 PM? You will. Wear the most comfortable shoes you own. Your feet will thank you.

The Reverse Strategy Works

Most people start at Poly and work their way out. Try this instead: begin your day at Haizhu when it’s quiet, hit IPC as it hits its stride, and tackle Poly after lunch when the morning engineering crowds thin out.

Ask Better Questions

Instead of “What’s new?” try these:

• “What are you seeing European clients ask for now?”
• “Which of these finishes holds up best in high-humidity environments?”
• “What’s the realistic lead time for a 20-unit order?”

The answers to questions like these separate the professionals from the tourists.

The Forums Are Your Secret Weapon

While everyone else is fighting crowds in the main halls, the conference sessions offer breathing room and real insights. The talks featuring practicing architects and designers often reveal where the industry is actually heading, not just where the marketing departments want you to think it’s heading.

The Bottom Line

Guangzhou Design Week isn’t a passive experience. It’s a contact sport. The visitors who get the most out of it are the ones who understand it’s equal parts trade show, networking event, and intelligence-gathering mission.

Come with clear objectives, comfortable shoes, and a willingness to engage beyond the booth. Do that, and you’ll leave with more than just brochures – you’ll leave with the connections and insights that actually move projects forward.

The official Guangzhou Design Week website has the latest maps and schedules. Check it a week before you go – layouts and sessions do change.