Alibaba to host Aus eCommerce Expo for SMBs eyeing China expansion

Retail eCommerce company Alibaba Group has announced it will host an eCommerce Expo to place a spotlight on cross-border export opportunities for Australian small businesses and connect aspirational buyers and sellers looking to expand into China.

Taking place in Melbourne from October 13 to 14, the Alibaba eCommerce Expo is expected to attract up to 500 brands and 3,000 attendees.

It will also feature keynote speeches from Maggie Zhou, Alibaba Group Australia and New Zealand managing director, Jessica Rudd, Jessica's Suitcase founder and popular Australian Weibo influencer David Gulasi.

Comprised of both an exhibition component and a conference, the Expo aims to take Australian SMBs through the Alibaba ecosystem, providing them with access to service partners and buyers through Alibaba's eCommerce platforms.

Workshops will be held for participating brands to advance the knowledge and skills needed to successfully export to China.

"Australian products are highly regarded in China and continue to attract the attention of millions of Chinese consumers who demand high-quality goods," says Zhou.

"To date, many Australian businesses have already taken advantage of the benefits of the Alibaba ecosystem and cross-border eCommerce trade.

"The Expo is a unique event for aspirational small business owners who are keen to learn how to access and succeed in the China market. It will help open doors to new opportunities and empower brands and consumers to connect globally through Alibaba's ecosystem," she adds.

In a shift away from traditional seller exhibitions, the Expo will also have a strong digital and new media component, leveraging popular social influencers and live streaming events throughout the two-day event.

Exhibiting brands are expected to reach tens of thousands of buyers in China as they live-stream their products and brand stories from the event, reaching beyond attendees of the Expo through social media.

"We've only just seen the beginning of China's market growth and I believe the best way for Aussie brands to take advantage of this is through Alibaba," says Gulasi, one of China's most successful Key Opinion Leaders with more than eight million fans across his Chinese social media platforms.

"As brands explore this opportunity, it's important they also find the right ambassador. I've worked with many Australian companies and it's not only about how many followers you have, it's about what you stand for.

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Hangzhou, China, Alibaba Group is one of the world's largest eCommerce companies, providing consumer-to-consumer, business-to-business and business-to-consumer services.

Over 466 million Chinese consumers are active on Alibaba Group's platforms.