Kind + Jugend ASEAN – Building the foundations to Grow Together!

Kind + Jugend ASEAN concluded its first edition with close to 1,800 trade visitors across 5 – 8 April. The event highlighted the highest standard of innovative products through the Kind + Jugend ASEAN Innovation Award, and the latest trends in the baby and kids products industry.

The much-awaited Kind + Jugend ASEAN has finally opened its doors. The ASEAN region is buzzing with potential growth opportunities, and with the backing of over 200 brands and companies from 15 countries, Kind + Jugend ASEAN has laid the foundations for a regional industry meeting place.1,800 visitors from 45 different countries graced the event, the trade exhibition and a hub of activities including the Trend Forum, the Science Inspiration by the National Science Museum and the Childcare Prototype Area by the Thai Toy and Children Product Trade Association. The first edition focused on attracting top-tier buyers and key brands from around the region. With scheduled business matchings and the hosted buyer program, attendees had a chance to forge meaningful connections and engage in fruitful networking opportunities.

One of the key event highlights, the Kind + Jugend ASEAN Innovation Award, recognised seven companies for their products based on stringent evaluation criterion including innovative nature, safety, additional utility, design, quality, and sustainability.

The winners for the first Kind + Jugend ASEAN Innovation Award are

- MICRO, Luggage Eazy (World of Moving Kids)

- KANGKA BAM, Instant Comfort Baby Carrier (World of Moving Kids: Baby Carrier)

- Glowy Star, I-Orbitta Carseat (World of Travelling Kids)

- HOYO, Premium Playpen (World of Kids Furniture)

- Granny Ben, SMART BIB (World of Kids Textiles)

- Bebe Ploen, Organic Soothing Moisture Calming Cream (World of Kids Care: Baby – Hygiene & Care)

- Camera, BABY IONDRY-5 (World of Kids Care: Mothers – Hygiene & Care)

- Plan Creations - Plan Toys, The Pull Along Hedgehog (World of Kids Toys)

- La-Moon Vita, Synbiotic-Prolacto Yogurt Flavor (World of Nutrition)

The Kind + Jugend Innovation Award represents the highest standard of innovative products in the baby and kids products industry. It provides recognition and prestige for the winning companies, and seeks to inspire others in the industry to strive for excellence and innovation in their products and designs.

Trend Forum sessions provided a platform for market experts and industry professionals to share their insights, experiences and ideas across key current topics including post-pandemic consumer behaviour, latest research in early childhood pedagogy, and recent developments in baby product related regulatory and safety standards.

Overall, the inaugural Kind + Jugend ASEAN 2023 laid the foundation for future editions, providing a valuable platform for businesses to network and build strong partnerships. The event was a transformative experience that brought together key players in the baby and kids products industry to foster growth and collaboration, thus proving that there is much potential for growth in the ASEAN region.

Mathias Kuepper, Managing Director & Vice President Asia-Pacific Koelnmesse Group, the organiser of Kind + Jugend ASEAN, said: "Kind + Jugend ASEAN, Thailand and the region has shown strong potential to grow and develop in the baby and kids products industry. The meaningful in-person interactions, passion and dedication of business owners resonates the need for a business-to-business event in the region and Kind + Jugend ASEAN aims to be that platform for the industry. 2023 is just the beginning. With the kickoff of this 1st edition and with the support of all our industry partners and exhibitors, we are in positive anticipation of the journey that Kind + Jugend ASEAN will take."

Exhibitor, Ms. Pafun Chatakom, Managing Director of Little Dreamer Co Ltd commended: "we were impressed to meet both local and international trade buyers and visitors, exchanging ideas and networking among persons with the same vision, to achieve business goals in negotiations and exporting our products abroad. In addition, the event helped to create awareness of our brand to the international stage as well. It is guaranteed to meet us at Kind + Jugend ASEAN 2024!"

Mr. Prin Sermpong, CEO of Rockingkids International Co Ltd remarked: "after the COVID-19 pandemic, we have achieved our goals at Kind + Jugend ASEAN 2023 held in Bangkok, Thailand. Since presenting our company to the ASEAN market, the next step in our goals is to bring our brand global."

Kind + Jugend ASEAN 2023 is organized by Expolink Global Network Ltd, Koelnmesse, Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and The Thai Toy and Children Product Trade Association and Asia Toy and Play Association.

The next Kind + Jugend ASEAN edition will return from 25 – 27 April 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. For more information on the event, visit Kind + Jugend ASEAN or follow Kind + Jugend ASEAN on Facebook and LinkedIn.