The first time I attended an event that airsoft was showcased in Hong Kong was at the Hong Kong Toys and Gifts Fair which is usually held in January of each year and is the largest toy event in Asia. There, amidst sellers of toys and offers of outsource toy manufacturing, some exhibitors from the airsoft industry were huddled in one are showing their wares. Initially, most the exhibitors were ACM manufacturers, but in the recent years, some more well-known brands from Hong Kong and Taiwan appeared.

In Asia airsoft is showcased in Toy Fairs as compared in the West, where it is seen together with real steel displays at conventions and fairs. This shows an there's an aversion to call airsoft guns toys in North America and Europe and would call them as RIFs and laws treating them as firearms are also in place.

Now, Airsoft gets to be the sole focus on this new event organised in Hong Kong. The Airsoft & Outdoor Gear Show 2013  which started last Saturday is still ongoing until today. The usual names in worldwide airsoft retail and distribution such as RedWolf Airsoft and eHobby Asia were there. But some of the smaller but already high profile retailers such as Tiger111HK were also there.

As for the brands, we noticed G&D, Spartan Airsoft, Celcius Technologies, CAA Airsoft, King Arms, and others were there.

But the highlights of the events were the City Hunter Cup Airsoft Sports Challenge, the Redwolf Airsoft Shooting Open 2013, Brands Test Shoot Day, and the PSP Experience Zone. And of course, the mandatory raffle draw where many visitors went home happy having won something.

Some visitor reported to us state that the event was still small-scale and issues with transportation, especially for international visitors who would prefer an area near an MTR Station. The venue was at the KITEC in Kowloon Bay and the nearest MTR station is also Kowloon Bay which is blocks away from the event and taking a taxi would have been preferable. I remember whenever I go to the Kowloon City area that I always take a taxi from Tsim Sha Tsui.

But for business purposes, an airsoft business wishing to connect to potential suppliers and manufacturers, the event should help as you get to see them in under one roof. Being able to eyeball and check the owners and representatives gives it a personal touch and it means a lot in the Asia.

For all intents and purposes, the event should be further nurtured by the organizers and make it into one of the largest airsoft and outdoor trade fairs in Asia.

Hong Kong is considered to be the biggest airsoft centre in the world, given that it is the transit point of airsoft from Japan, Taiwan, and Mainland China and thus it has much to benefit to showcase airsoft, even if it's a pure business to business affair.

Perhaps next year, it will be more improved and will show more exhibitors and products on display. Big things start small and we hope that this event will become a bright spot amongst airsoft exhibitions in the world.

All photos here from are from the eHobby Asia Facebook Page.