Replying to [kikichichi]: I attended canton fair in 2005 & 2006, and I think the effect is not ideal. comparely, I prefer expert fair. especially for some high-tech & electronical products.
for handcrafts and gifts etc. canton fair is ok for these products.
Replying to [kikichichi]:It depends on your business. You can actually register and log into the website to see the list of manufacturers which suits you.
Otherwise, there are many other trade fair from other provinces. Go to your country's China Embassy to ask for the different trade fairs information for different product. Or try this at search engine: agriculture, flowers (if you are dealing with it), trade fair, china.
I personally has benefited from the trade fair. In fact, that's where we obtain the direct source from the manufacturers whom you can deal directly to know them better.
I remember one of my experience when I was half way through the Manager of an exhibitor, she suddenly got up and attended to a westerner and left me unattended.
Of course, I went over to the next booth beside and close the deal with the kind gentleman, whom until to-date is still our regular supplier. This is one advantage of be there in the trade fair, to know your supplier well.