Two months after closing its 28th edition, CBD Guangzhou is already looking ahead. On 14 September, more than 20 leading Chinese media organisations gathered for “Witnesses of Going Global”, a CBD World-Connect media exchange reviewing the results of 2026 and outlining the strategy for the 29th edition, taking place from 8-11 July 2027.
The direction is clear: to extend CBD Guangzhou beyond the traditional boundaries of a trade fair – in geography, markets and time – transforming four days of exhibition into a year-round platform for international matchmaking, market development and business opportunities.
2026: Growth Beyond Borders
The 28th edition confirmed CBD Guangzhou’s growing international reach. Overseas visitors reached 11,473, up 33.4% year-on-year, representing 146 countries and regions. Nearly half of exhibitors have already established export channels, with Europe, Central Asia and North America among their priority markets. As China’s building decoration market increasingly shifts from new construction towards the renewal of existing housing stock, new opportunities are emerging in renovation, quality upgrading, smart technologies and omnichannel distribution. Against this backdrop, international expansion is becoming an increasingly strategic priority for Chinese manufacturers.
CBD World-Connect: Internationalisation All Year Round
At the heart of this strategy is CBD World-Connect, the fair’s international trade programme. In 2026, its overseas social media network generated nearly 59 million views across five major platforms. More than 700 international buyers attended in organised delegations developed with over 30 international institutions, while 1,867 brands were involved in year-round activities and matchmaking services.
The programme also saw the debut of The World Connect Lounge and the World Connect Forum, conceived and developed by Edimotion as a new hub for international dialogue, networking and business exchange during the exhibition.
CBD Guangzhou 2027: Three Ecosystems
Guided by four keywords Gather, Momentum, Integrate, Domain, the 29th edition will further concentrate its offering around three major ecosystems across 21 exhibition halls: INTERIOR, EXTERIOR and MATECH.
INTERIOR will respond to China’s growing renovation market and the national “Good Housing” strategy, focusing on existing homes, quality of living, new finishes, customisation, age-friendly solutions and spaces designed around comfort and wellbeing.
EXTERIOR will expand its focus on outdoor living and the building envelope, including sun-shading systems, architectural aluminium, wood-plastic composites and integrated housing. A new focus developed with the Wood Preservation Association will explore heritage restoration in connection with rural revitalisation and cultural tourism.
MATECH will strengthen the exhibition’s international and technological dimension, bringing together global hardware brands and introducing a new smart hardware segment connected to the smart-home sector, alongside machinery, equipment and year-round export matchmaking.
Looking Ahead
The September media exchange also highlighted some of the key challenges facing Chinese companies internationally: moving beyond low-price competition, understanding local markets and standards, strengthening downstream connections and evolving from product exports towards higher-value solutions, services and brands. Building on the strong international growth of 2026, CBD Guangzhou is extending its role beyond the exhibition itself, connecting manufacturers, buyers and industry professionals through an increasingly year-round global platform.
The 29th CBD Guangzhou will take place from 8-11 July 2027 at the Canton Fair Complex in Guangzhou, China, welcoming the international building decoration community to discover new solutions, develop partnerships and explore new business opportunities.
For more information on CBD please visit: www.cbdfair-gz.com/en
