Featured Report on the 5th China Human Capital Management Conference
“2007 Corporate Training & Career Development Expo”
Speaker: “Can Training Really Deliver Performance?” – James Chin
Date: September 26, 2007 | Source: Guangzhou Daily | By: Yu Qin, Deng Zhongmou
The “2007 Corporate Training & Career Development Expo” was the first of its kind in South China, focusing on the professional development of employees and the growth of enterprises. Targeted at both corporations and working professionals, the event featured a rich mix of forums, lectures, and exhibitions to explore and showcase the pathways to training and career development against the backdrop of economic transformation.
On September 22, the 5th Human Capital Conference and the “2007 Corporate Training & Career Development Expo” were officially held at the Asia International Hotel in Guangzhou. Co‑hosted by 12 mainstream media outlets including Guangzhou Daily, and co‑organized by Guangdong Zhuoyu Management Consulting, the event attracted numerous high‑profile guests from leading companies, business schools, and top consulting firms, as well as over 2,000 HR managers from various enterprises.
The Expo was hailed by industry insiders as the “Canton Fair” of corporate training and career development, with more than 40 exhibitors. To meet the needs of both professionals and corporate representatives, the exhibition area was divided into five zones: management training and consulting, professional skills training, continuing education, overseas study, and HR/administrative services and management tools. The Expo also featured 20 thematic lectures on career development, covering everything from high‑level forums on Chinese wisdom and leadership to specialized sessions on marketing innovation, business etiquette, English learning, and more.
The enthusiasm of the audience moved the speakers – every lecture hall was packed, with many people willing to stand at the back just to get in. James Chin, the Chief International Trainer from Singapore ICT, who had flown in specially for the event, remarked: “I’m very happy to see such a warm response!”
“No seats left – looks like we’ll have to stand by the door…”
Another caption: “The teacher’s words are humorous but reveal a deep truth!”
“Teacher, we have exactly that problem you mentioned!”
The Expo received high praise from its exhibitors. Zhao Yuanyuan, Marketing Supervisor of Web International English’s Guangzhou Center, said that the number of visitors far exceeded their expectations. Zhang Wujiang, General Manager of Tianzhe Education & Culture Communication Co., Ltd., commented: “This is our first time participating. We met many corporate HR professionals, and the participants were of a high caliber. The Expo provides a face‑to‑face platform for peers to exchange ideas, and it also helps enhance corporate image.”
A representative from Dade Education Group noted that their initial goal was to share information with learners within a limited time, promote their offerings, and showcase Dade’s brand – and that goal was achieved. A representative from New Oriental mentioned that New Oriental also offers corporate training, and participating in the Expo was an ideal way to present that capability to businesses. Beyond brand exposure, some exhibitors gained unexpected opportunities: Peking University Jade Bird – Guangzhou Guangli Training Centre, for instance, said that some academic institutions had expressed interest in collaboration, and some companies wanted to recruit employees through them.
Our reporter observed that the Expo was bustling with activity. All 40+ booths were crowded with visitors, who listened attentively to the staff’s introductions while leafing through brochures with great interest. One Ms. Wang, after walking through all the zones, left with her hands full of fabulous (exquisitely designed) information bags from Web International English, EIC Education, Hewitt, and many others. The three free lecture halls on the 8th floor each had queues stretching more than ten meters; many people had started lining up as early as 8 a.m., and some had travelled over an hour by bus from Foshan or Panyu.
Because space was limited, each lecture required a fresh queue for entry, so many people waited over an hour just to get in and then rushed to queue for the next session immediately after. Most attendees felt that the content was excellent, but the venue was too small to accommodate everyone. They expressed hope that more events like this would be held in the future, offering even greater opportunities for learning and networking.