The 17th Asia-Pacific International Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Cold Chain Technology Expo is set to open its doors on September 16–18, 2026, at the China Import and Export Fair Complex (Canton Fair Pazhou) in Guangzhou. With exhibitor re-booking already running at 78%, the show is shaping up to be its largest edition to date.
A New Zone That Reflects Where the Industry Is Heading
Sixteen editions in, the show's organizers are making a deliberate structural change this year. Alongside the traditional refrigeration equipment, air conditioning systems, and cold chain technology halls, AVAI CHINA 2026 will introduce a dedicated Building Automation & System Integration Zone — bringing IoT controls, smart building management systems, sensors, and variable frequency drives into the main exhibition floor for the first time.
The reasoning is straightforward: buyers are no longer shopping for standalone equipment. They want integrated systems. By giving automation and controls their own space, the show is acknowledging a shift that's been building for years — traditional hardware manufacturers are increasingly expected to speak the language of system integration.
Scale: What the Numbers Look Like
The 2026 edition is projecting 600 to 1,000+ exhibiting companies, 35,000 to 80,000 professional visitors, and a gross exhibition area of 30,000 to 60,000 square meters.
The re-booking rate of 78% among returning exhibitors is the more telling figure. Companies like Xueyu Refrigeration, Xuheng Electronics, Jingxiang Automation, and Julang Fans have participated consecutively for multiple years — a sign that the show delivers enough commercial value to warrant repeat investment without much deliberation.
The event is organized by Guangdong Hongwei International Exhibition Group, which has been running professional trade shows for over two decades. Across 16 previous editions, AVAI CHINA has served nearly 2,500 exhibitors and drawn approximately 300,000 cumulative professional visitors.
40% International Buyers — With a Clear Focus on Southeast Asia
The show is targeting around 40% of its buyer base from outside China, representing more than 40 countries and regions.
What gives this target more credibility than usual is the parallel programming built around it. The ASEAN HVACCR SUMMIT 2026 will run concurrently with the exhibition, covering energy efficiency standards, regional compliance requirements, cold chain infrastructure development, and market entry pathways into Southeast Asia under current trade frameworks.
More significantly, AVAI CHINA 2026 is formally linked to the ASEAN (Thailand) HVAC, Refrigeration & Cleanroom Expo (AHRC 2027) in Bangkok, scheduled for March 2027. The two events are designed as consecutive stops on a single regional circuit — Guangzhou in September 2026, Bangkok in early 2027. For Chinese manufacturers looking to expand into Southeast Asian markets, the back-to-back structure offers a more sustained route than a one-off exhibition appearance.
What Else Is Running Alongside
AVAI CHINA 2026 shares the venue with five co-located shows:
- PV Guangzhou — World Solar Photovoltaic & Energy Storage Industry Expo
- WBE — World Battery & Energy Storage Industry Expo
- AHE — Asia Heat Energy Expo
- GEHE — Asia Electric Heating Technology & Equipment Exhibition
- APCTEE — Asia-Pacific Cleantech & Equipment Expo
The combination is deliberate. HVAC and refrigeration systems are among the largest consumers of electricity in buildings and industrial facilities. Running alongside solar, storage, and cleantech exhibitors puts the supply side and demand side of the energy equation in the same building — useful for system integrators, engineering firms, and design institutes looking to spec out low-carbon building solutions in a single visit.
Getting There
The Canton Fair Pazhou Complex sits at No. 380 Yuejian Middle Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou. The venue is well connected by metro and is the most practical option during exhibition days.
By Metro:
- Line 8, Xingang East Station, Exit A → Hall A
- Line 8, Pazhou Station, Exit B → Hall B
From Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport: Take Metro Line 3 North Extension to Tiyu Xilu, transfer to Line 3 toward Panyu Square, get off at Kecun, then transfer to Line 8 toward Wanshengwei to Xingang East or Pazhou Station. Airport Express buses to Zhujiang New Town or Jinhan Station are also available, with taxis available from both stops to the venue.
From Guangzhou Railway Station: Line 2 to Changgang, transfer to Line 8 to Xingang East.
From Guangzhou East Station: Line 3 North Extension to Tiyu Xilu, transfer to Line 3 to Kecun, transfer to Line 8 to Xingang East.
From Guangzhou South Station: Line 2 to Changgang, transfer to Line 8 to Xingang East.
Visitors from Hong Kong can fly directly to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport in approximately 30 minutes.
For those driving, the venue is accessible via Guangzhou Bridge, Liede Bridge, Jiangwan Bridge, or Haiyin Bridge onto Xingang East Road or Yuejiang Road. GPS navigation to "Canton Fair Pazhou Hall A" (广州琶洲展馆A区) is reliable. Taxis have a designated drop-off and pick-up lane on the central road of Hall A — roadside stops elsewhere around the venue are not permitted.
Contact & Registration
Pre-registration is free and open until September 16, 2026. Walk-in tickets are available at the venue service desk.
For exhibitor inquiries and media partnerships, contact:
Mina Liu Email: [email protected]
Tel: +86 188 8271 1997