PAGEV

PACKWORLD Magazine: A Conversation with PAGEV Deputy Chairman Ahmet Meriç

PAGEV's programme for Chinaplas 2026 has attracted significant interest within the industry. Why did it attract so much attention?

As is well known, the global economy is undergoing a transformation, and China is a significant part of this change. Our sector is also significantly affected by this change. Monitoring this change closely and on the ground is also critically important for business people in our sector. Some companies want a quick economic visit, while others are looking for program- mes involving longer stays and detailed meetings. We have therefore offered a total of four options: the Smart Choice Programme, the THY Favourite Programme, the Early Start Programme and the Canton Combo Advantage Programme. In this respect, PAGEV's programme offers much more flexible and comprehensive opportunities than the uniform and fixed programmes offered by rival organisations.

Could you elaborate a little on the differences between these four programmes?

1-) Smart Choice Programme — ‘Quick visit + best price’: This programme is for companies that say, ‘I'll go to the fair, make my connections quickly, but keep the cost low.’ Flights are with Qatar Airways, with accommodation at a central location. It is unrivalled in the industry in terms of price/performance. Some rival organisations also offer economical options, but the hotels are: far from the centre, old, difficult to access the exhibition and the room quality is poor. In our case, even the eco programme is high-quality and centralised.

2-) THY Favourite Programme — ‘Comfort + prestige + high satisfaction’: This programme includes a direct flight with Turkish Airlines. Accommodation is our hotel with the highest satisfaction rating every year: 5-star New Jinjiang Tower. Located in one of Shanghai's most central locations, it offers spacious rooms, comfort close to Western standards, safety, cleanliness and high service quality. The biggest difference between us and competing programmes is that we provide higher quality hotels at the same or lower prices. This hotel is PAGEV's ‘most popular hotel’ for all tours over the last five years.
3-) Early Start Programme — ‘Yiwu + Factory Visit + Extra Business Connection’: This programme is going a day early. We organise visits to Yiwu or factories, particularly for raw material suppliers, mould makers and machine operators. This content is not available in any competing programme. Because the Yiwu market is not just about products; it is a unique place to read trends, prices and supplier profiles. Participants have already established business connections before Chinaplas begins.

4-) Canton Combo Advantage Programme — ‘Two fairs in one trip’: We can say this programme is the ‘king’ of all options. After Chinaplas, you fly to Guangzhou and visit the Canton Fair. The opportunity to see two mega fairs in one flight. It makes a lot of sense financially too — one expense instead of two separate trips. There is no combined programme with Canton among competitors. This is a unique value proposition that PAGEV offers to the sector. 

It is said that the PAGEV delegation is ‘Turkey's largest dele- gation’. What does this mean?

The largest delegation actually demonstrates PAGEV's strength and the trust the sector has in us. Every year, we take the largest delegation from Turkey to Chinaplas. This provides the following advantages: You are becoming more visible as a Turkish delegation in China. The networking effect between companies is multiplying. Chinese manufacturers and distributors are showing greater interest. Our meetings are packed with content. Participants connect with each other and create business opportunities. In short: Going in large numbers increases the commercial value.

The PAGEV stand is also part of the programme. What does this stand provide?

In busy environments such as trade fairs, it is difficult for everyone to find a space where they can comfortably hold meetings. The PAGEV stand solves this problem. When participants wish to take a break from the exhausting fair, they can sit down and rest, hold their meetings at the PAGEV stand, entertain their guests, and use the business card exchange area. So the PAGEV stand is like a field office. This opportunity is not available in rival programmes. Participants generally try to hold meetings while standing amid the chaos at the fair.

The issue of accommodation always sparks debate. How is PAGEV making a difference in this regard?

Accommodation is one of the most critical aspects of the business. Various programmes often feature hotels that are far from the city centre, far from the exhibition centre, with poor services, and lacking in comfort and food quality. Such situations cause discomfort, disrupt our concentration, and negatively impact our business trip. With this in mind, we never compromise on quality in PAGEV committees. Even in our most economical programme, we offer a central location, a safe environment, clean and high-quality rooms, and a breakfast tailored to Turkish tastes. The hotels we use in the THY Favourite Programme have been receiving over 90% satisfaction from participants for years. This is the gold standard for the industry.

This year's programme also includes a gala dinner and boat trip. Are these paid?

No, it's completely free. As part of the event, PAGEV is offering the entire delegation a Turkish breakfast, a networking gala dinner, and a Shanghai boat trip with a Bosphorus theme. These events are where business connections are truly established. Again, these services are either charged extra by competitors or are not available at all.

What are the benefits of having the tour organised by Altın Tur?

Altın Tur has been PAGEV's corporate solution partner for many years. They are particularly knowledgeable about China as a destination: they are very strong in flight management, visa processes, domestic transfers within China, hotel relations, and emergency management. At PAGEV, we manage the ‘strategic content and organisation’ aspect, while Altın Tur flawlessly executes the technical and operational side of the business.

Finally, do you have a message for companies?

This trip is not just a trade fair visit. An opportunity to strengthen the Turkish plastics industry's position on the global stage. Demand for each programme is very high, and places are filling up fast. We tell our companies: ‘Whatever your budget, there is always a suitable alternative for you at PAGEV.’ Come along, let's witness the transformation at Chinaplas 2026 with a comfortable journey and showcase the strength of Turkey's plastics industry together.

"As PAGEV, this year we have created a modular travel architecture consisting of four separate options rather than a single type for the first time. The reason for this is that the sector has very different needs."