Making Life Easier for Expats: Services Expo in Sanlitun Soho

The fourth Expat Services Expo promises to be better than ever before. International schools, embassies and hospitals galore have already booked booths, but in general, the products and services on offer are “designed to make expat life easier here in China,” according to organizer Colin Friedman (also known as the founder of networking group FCGroup). We asked Mr. Friedman about common expat complaints, the most popular vendors and whether the Expo has any value for long-term residents.

What do expats need?
Expats come from all different backgrounds. Some need information on where to meet people, others on schooling, housing and medical services, and some on where to buy this, that or the other.

What are the most common expat complaints?
Apart from the exchange rate, the most common complaints are transport-related and the fact that the major expat-friendly medical facilities and schools are far too expensive.

What would a newcomer to Beijing find useful at an Expat Service Expo?
Information and lots of it! The Expo is designed to be, quote me, ‘Your China Eyes and China Ears to Ease Your China Fears.’

What about a long-term resident?
Things in Beijing change so fast that it is hard to keep track of what’s new. Additionally, over the course of time, our needs and interests change. When I first started living and working in China in 1998, my needs were limited to where to buy cheese and (in some parts of town) milk. Today, my needs are more about where to buy baby items and how to find affordable schooling for people who do not have a generous expat package.

What does the Expat Expo offer that no one else does?
The Expat Expo is run under the auspices of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce; in other words, the vendors are approved vendors. On top of all that, a number of embassies are hosting country pavilions. As of July 27, five embassies have already confirmed participation and most of them will be providing live folk entertainment on the central stage.

Which booths tend to be the most popular?
At lunchtime the food and beverage vendors are the stars.

What booth have you never had, but wish you did?
A booth selling “Beam Me Up, Scotty” Star Trek type transporters to beat the traffic congestion.

What’s the best thing you’ve ever picked up at an Expo?
My wife. We met when I was exhibiting at the Agriculture Exhibition Centre many years ago.

How can you be sure that everything at your Expo is the best option for expats in Beijing?
The Expo will have many options, providing visitors the opportunity to make an informed choice best suited for his/her specific need.

What can expats get out of this Expo that they wouldn’t be able to find our website?
The personal touch. TheBeijinger.com is a great source but often the personal touch, a pinch of chemistry makes an important difference.

Give us your best sales pitch. Why should anyone go?
Exhibitors should attend because it is a “3P” event. Prime Time, Prime Location, Prime Target Audience.
Visitors should attend because it will be FREE (Fun, Relevant, Educational, Entertaining). It is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to find some of the best vendors in town massed together for a weekend that combines quality with quantity.

The Expat Services Expo takes place from 10am-6pm on Sep 14-16 at Sanlitun Soho. Entrance is free.