Texvalley shaping the textile industry’s future through TAG Expo
TAG Expo is South India’s premier expo, specialising in all kinds of textiles, accessories, garments, and other fashion items. A bi-annual event, the expo is organised and held at Texvalley, Erode, (Tamil Nadu), India. It provides a great opportunity to network with the industry’s leading manufacturers and buyers of textiles, accessories and garment. In a candid interview with Fibre2Fashion, Texvalley Vice-Chairman C Devarajan and Managing Director P Raajashekar discuss the growth and aspirations of the Expo.
Can you tell us a bit about the history of TAG Expo and how it has evolved over the years?
TAG Expo is a dynamic platform that showcases the latest trends, fabrics, and fashion. Situated in Texvalley, an ‘Offline Marketplace’, it offers unique business opportunities by enabling textile, apparel, and garment (TAG) manufacturers to display their latest merchandise to buyers, wholesalers, and agents worldwide. This event draws merchandisers and buyers from top global brands and stores.
The inaugural TAG Expo took place in August 2022, and its success led to the second edition in January 2023, which had an even wider reach and coverage. Throughout its first two editions, TAG Expo saw exponential growth in various areas such as reach, coverage, product portfolio, participating brands, industry innovations, technology, buyer base, exhibitors, sponsors, and footfall.
The upcoming 3rd edition, scheduled for July 24-26, 2023, is anticipated to attract over 5,000 buyers from five countries, with more than 400 exhibitors presenting their brands, products, and services. This edition will also feature comprehensive media coverage across leading channels and platforms, amplifying publicity for all participants.
Further elevating the event’s stature, the 3rd edition will host industry experts for panel discussions to address developments, trends, innovations, policies, and issues within the textile industry. An international standard fashion show will enable brands to showcase their products, while an awards ceremony will celebrate the accomplishments of various textile manufacturers and business houses.
With its two successful iterations, TAG Expo has transitioned from a regional event to an international exhibition, a testament to its growth and significance in the textile and apparel industry.
In the context of sustainability and ethical production, how does TAG Expo encourage these principles among its exhibitors?
TAG Expo actively promotes sustainability and ethical production practices among its exhibitors in several ways. To incentivise sustainable practices, we have established a special award that recognises manufacturers adhering to these principles, thereby encouraging others to understand and adopt sustainable product development.
In our third edition, TAG Expo has partnered with the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), which has allowed exhibitors to benefit from subsidies on exhibition fees. This esteemed association mandates that exhibitors adhere to certain compliance standards, further bolstering the Expo’s commitment to ethical production.
Furthermore, TAG Expo requires exhibitors to submit supporting documents related to production and manufacturing at the time of registration. These documents are thoroughly vetted to ensure adherence to sustainability and ethical standards. By implementing these measures, we encourage our exhibitors to commit to sustainable practices and ethical production in the textile industry.
TAG Expo offers not just a marketplace, but also a conference, fashion shows and award ceremony. How do you balance these different components to create a comprehensive event?
TAG Expo is designed to offer a holistic experience to all its stakeholders. This involves more than just an effective marketplace – it also includes industry-specific conferences, panel discussions with experts, an international-standard fashion show, and an awards ceremony to recognise and reward achievements.
Each component of TAG Expo is of equal importance and has been carefully curated to complement the others, ensuring a well-rounded and comprehensive event. By integrating these various elements, we strive to create a balanced and fruitful experience for all participants. This multi-faceted approach allows us to deliver an event that not only facilitates trade but also promotes knowledge exchange, showcases talent, and celebrates accomplishments in the textile and apparel industry.
What makes this expo a standout event in the textile and apparel industry?
TAG Expo, located in the textile industry hub of Texvalley, Erode, stands out in the textile and apparel industry due to its holistic approach and unique offerings. Its strategic location in the heart of South India’s textile region allows the Expo to cater to a broad textile region.
The Expo attracts a vast audience, including 400+ exhibitors and buyers from over five countries, industry leaders, textile and garment manufacturers, traders, and more. This wider audience base amplifies its impact and reach in the industry.
Additionally, TAG Expo features panel discussions led by industry experts, providing a platform for understanding and addressing the specific needs of the industry. It also hosts international standard fashion shows, enabling brands to gain global exposure for their products and merchandise.
Further enhancing the Expo’s appeal, an awards ceremony is held to recognise and reward standout performances and significant achievements in the industry.
The key differentiator for TAG Expo compared to other expos is its dedication to developing a comprehensive ecosystem that adds value to all stakeholders. This integrated approach is what makes TAG Expo a standout event in the textile and apparel industry.
How do you ensure a wide variety of exhibitors and products at each expo?
TAG Expo ensures a wide variety of exhibitors and products by catering to diverse sectors within the textile industry. It not only attracts primary textile manufacturers and traders, but also engages manufacturers and traders involved with accessories and garments.
The product segments exhibited at TAG Expo are also broad, covering everything from various types of textile raw materials to a wide range of apparel including formal wear, casual wear, festive wear, occasional wear, seasonal, regional, and themed menswear, womenswear, kidswear, and even inner wear. This extensive product classification ensures a rich selection, drawing exhibitors from different regions eager to participate in TAG Expo and benefit from its expansive showcase.
Can you share any success stories of exhibitors who have greatly benefited from participating in the expo?
TAG Expo has seen significant growth in its buyer base, a trend that has greatly benefited our exhibitors. On average, exhibitors have experienced a notable increase in their sales year-on-year, with a boost of more than 22 per cent.
The Expo serves as a potent platform for lead generation, enabling exhibitors to engage with a global audience and maximise their business opportunities. The loyalty expressed by our exhibitors, many of whom have participated in the last two editions, speaks volumes about their success stories. Their ongoing commitment to TAG Expo signifies the tangible benefits they have reaped from their involvement in the event.
Are there any parameters for selecting exhibitors for TAG Expo?
Selection of exhibitors for TAG Expo is based on a variety of parameters to ensure a high-quality, diverse, and relevant exhibition. Interested parties are required to provide comprehensive details about their businesses. This includes their company profile and credentials, specifics about their products or services, brand information, company details, business categories, and the range of products intended for display at the Expo.
These details are crucial as they help us understand the exhibitor’s relevance to the textile and apparel industry and ensure they align with the overall theme and goals of TAG Expo. This process ensures a valuable experience for both the exhibitors and the attendees of the Expo.
What are the biggest challenges you face in organizing TAG Expo, and how do you overcome them?
Organising TAG Expo presents a unique set of challenges due to the high expectations that have been built up over its previous successful editions. As we strive to provide the best possible experience to all stakeholders – including associates, exhibitors, sponsors, buyers, panellists, nominees, industry leaders, and organisers – the bar has been continually raised.
TAG Expo has successfully evolved across all metrics, turning the challenge of creating a global platform into an opportunity. We have exceeded these heightened expectations through our dedication to delivering nothing but the best for all involved.
Our approach to overcoming challenges is rooted in going the extra mile. We pour in additional effort and resources, ensuring we not only meet but exceed the expectations of all our stakeholders, thereby creating a successful and impactful event each time.
Could you discuss some of the key trends and themes you expect to emerge from this year’s expo?
This year’s TAG Expo is set to amplify its global reach, moving from a focus on five states in its first edition to now engaging participants from five countries. As such, the key trend for this edition is elevating brands onto a global platform.
From a diverse global exhibitor profile to an international buyer base, this year’s Expo is poised to showcase an extensive range of textiles, accessories, and garments. Additionally, we anticipate major trends to emerge from our industry expert-led conferences and the international-standard fashion show, directed by a renowned fashion choreographer. The awards ceremony, which honours deserving brands, is also expected to draw significant attention.
In essence, this year’s TAG Expo will showcase international trends within a global theme, making it a truly worldwide event in the textile industry.
How do you ensure that the trade show remains a relevant and must-attend event in an increasingly digital world?
While TAG Expo is fundamentally an offline event, we have embraced digital technology to ensure the trade show remains relevant and essential in today’s digital era. We have digitised the entire process of stall booking, as well as visitor and buyer registration, making it seamless and efficient.
In addition, TAG Expo features an exclusive mobile application that continues to facilitate collaborations between buyers and manufacturers even after the event concludes. No longer do exhibitors and buyers need to exchange physical business cards. Instead, a simple scan of identity cards allows them to capture each other’s data, fostering future collaborations with just the click of a button. This innovative use of technology enhances networking opportunities in a more reliable and foolproof manner.
TAG Expo, as a continually evolving platform for the buyer-manufacturer-trader community, has kept up with the digital trend. Our value proposition for all stakeholders ensures that the Expo remains a must-attend event in the textile and apparel industry.
What role do you see the expo playing in shaping the future of the textile, clothing, and apparel markets?
TAG Expo plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the textile, clothing, and apparel markets. By offering regional brands a platform to engage with the global market, we expose them to new horizons of growth and expansion.
The Expo serves as a hub for introducing the latest techniques, technologies, designs, and trends in the industry. By being at the forefront of such innovation, we help direct the future trajectory of these markets.
Moreover, TAG Expo creates opportunities for entrepreneurship. We bring together industry professionals, budding entrepreneurs, and established businesses, thereby facilitating networking and the exchange of ideas.
In essence, through exposure, education, and networking opportunities, TAG Expo plays a significant role in shaping the future of the textile, clothing, and apparel markets, both regionally and globally.
How does the exhibition contribute to the development of the textile and apparel industry, particularly in South India?
TAG Expo serves as a crucial catalyst for the development of the textile and apparel industry, particularly in South India, by establishing a platform that facilitates productive networking between manufacturers and buyers. It fosters a business environment that amalgamates various industry components, providing a national-level exposure opportunity to all attendees.
In addition, TAG Expo actively contributes to fostering entrepreneurship in the textile industry. It does so by assembling all necessary resources on a single platform, thereby nurturing and promoting entrepreneurial aspirations. This is particularly beneficial in Texvalley, a thriving textile marketplace.
By encompassing the entire product lifecycle and thereby developing a complete ecosystem in India’s textile hub, TAG Expo significantly contributes to the evolution and growth of the textile and apparel industry. It thus plays a pivotal role in the industry’s expansion, particularly in South India.
Looking beyond the 2023 edition, what are some of your plans for the future growth and development of TAG Expo?
We have ambitious plans for the future growth and development of TAG Expo. Our primary objective is to establish TAG Expo as the premier platform for manufacturers and buyers from across India, not just the southern states. We aim to position TAG Expo as the most prominent exposition for garments and allied products on a pan-India basis.
Our aspirations extend beyond the Indian shores as well. We are keen on expanding our buyer database internationally, further elevating the Expo’s global stature.
Ultimately, we envision TAG Expo as India’s largest B2B exposition for the textile, accessories, and garment industry. We are committed to steadily advancing towards this vision, ensuring that TAG Expo continues to grow and serve as a significant platform in the industry.
