UBM plc, one of the world's leading trade exhibition organisers, and Alibaba's B2B business unit, including Alibaba.com and 1688.com, the leading platforms for online wholesale trade of the Alibaba Group, today announced the launch date of the B2B industry's "game-changing" sourcing solution and service.

O2O2O Solution Debuts at SIGN and LED CHINA 2016

The "O2O2O Solution", or "Online to Offline to Online" integrated trade services, jointly-developed by UBM and Alibaba B2B will catapult the trade sourcing experience for manufacturers and buyers before, during, and after a trade show into a new era. Visitors, professionals, and media will be able to experience firsthand the "O2O2O Solution" at its debut at the collocated SIGN CHINA and LED CHINA fairs to take place 19-22 September 2016 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) in Shanghai, China.

The "O2O2O Solution" was developed after months of studies on the dynamics and areas of potential in the online and offline trading worlds by UBM and Alibaba B2B teams, including extensive customer surveys, and will encapsulate an end-to-end solution for professional buyers including*:

1.  For sourcing professionals, personalized search capabilities over a larger pool of potential qualified suppliers and existing business partners, using integrated Alibaba.com and UBM knowhow;
2. For exhibiting companies, search abilities from a larger pool of quality sourcing professionals amongst UBM databases and Alibaba.com members, and enhanced online showroom to display products and company information;
3. .Business match-making and communication functions allowing buyers and sellers to connect before, during, or after an event and to set meetings during the event;
4. Full service onsite "O2O2O Solution Pavilion" with meeting space, lounge and concierge services at SIGNCHINA and LED CHINA

*Future plans in next stage product launch includes further e-commerce integration via Alibaba B2B's transaction, payment, protection, Trade Assurance programme, and host of logistic services.

Jime Essink, President and CEO of UBM Asia Ltd, said: "The experience in working with Alibaba B2B in recent months has inspired us beyond what we originally set out to accomplish. It was clear from the beginning we could leverage Alibaba's strength in online trading technology and UBM's expertise in creating face-to-face trading platforms. We knew that we could enhance our trade shows by way of robust, scalable and more precise pre-show search and meeting technologies (the first 'O', for online) while at the same time Alibaba build on the online sourcing experience by offering their capabilities to the physical 'meet and hand-shake" at trade shows (the second 'O', for offline). What we came to realise was the opportunity for the third 'O' (again for online), or the ability for us to service B2B customers even better by connecting them full circle in the sourcing and buying process through online transactions and other business services made available by Alibaba."

Qian Yi, Global Business Development Director - Alibaba Group B2B Unit, said, "We are thrilled to partner with UBM to develop this brand-new O2O2O trade solution which will greatly enhance the efficiency of the cross-border B2B trading business. With the new solution available at the SIGN CHINA and LED CHINA trade show, we expect more SMEs will benefit from it and expand their businesses more effectively."

"SIGN CHINA and LED CHINA is thrilled to play host to the official debut of the 'O2O2O Solution'", said David Tang, UBM Trust Managing Director and organiser of the fairs. "Through this collaboration with Alibaba B2B, we are able to give our exhibitors an enhanced marketing and business opportunity with pre-show online product showrooms and the ability to connect with even more potential buyers before and during the shows. The online and onsite match-making services offered at SIGN CHINA and LED CHINA will create a truly world-class experience for our international trade attendees."

To stay up-to-date on the news and feature updates leading up to Alibaba B2B and UBM's "O2O2O Solution" launch at SIGN and LED China, please visit:

http://www.signchina-sh.com
http://www.ledchina-sh.com