rethinking china!

Beijing Deep Dive

Rethinking China! provides a deep dive market immersion into the heart of modern China and 1.3 Billion consumers. Join the Research Without Borders team and witness first-hand how the future is unfolding in the new Beijing in 360°!

To begin, delegates will receive preliminary background information on the topics being explored and of the locations being visited. This will lay the foundation for a better understanding of our hosts and of the issues at hand so that delegates will be able to observe and engage in the local context.

Sociocultural researchers will lead small teams in a series of in-home visits, retail shop-alongs, man-on-the-street interviews and on-site visits for an intimate and in-depth look into Beijing and Chinese culture.

Local videographers will capture the quotidian, the unexpected, the nuances and the unarticulated which will be translated and synthesized into a video report (DVD format) of key findings for delegates.

Join the Research Without Borders team for six insight filled days.

Schedule

Day 1, Tuesday-Arrive Beijing! Cultural Exploration + Overview

Beijing is the heart of China’s economy and culture. A city of contrasts, it is torn between the pull of red Capitalism and China's ancient culture. With neighbourhoods disappearing and reappearing, sometimes, literally overnight, experience a taste of what remains of the old Beijing lifestyle by staying in a Siheyuan (courtyard) or traditional hotel hidden in a hutong.

We'll begin by getting an orientation of Beijing and the changes taking place across the Nation. We'll get an overview of the history, demographic and economic shifts and challenges that Beijing and greater China are facing.

Then, in the afternoon, we'll immerse ourselves in the sights and sounds of Beijing as we break off into small groups and explore the city's ancient streets and last remaining hutongs.

Welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.

Day 2, Wednesday-Exploring Beijing's Changing Retail Landscape

In contrast with yesterday's exploration into the city's ancient hutongs, today we'll visit the new architectural wonders that are literally reshaping Beijing's landscape; from the newly re-developed and gentrified hutongs to the commercial and retail areas designed for today's emerging "middle class".

Local experts will join us as we visit the Central Chinese Television (CCTV) headquarters (a.k.a. the 'Z' building or "Twisted Donut" ), National Stadium (Bird's Nest), National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) and National Centre for the Performing Arts (The Egg), the SOHO mega-retail emporium and tour the Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall to put it all in perspective.

After witnessing this overwhelming construction boom we'll meet with a local expert on "Green" construction to discuss China's emerging role in sustainability.

Dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Day 3-Thursday-Silicon Dragon

As China evolves into a powerful market force in the technology sector, Beijing has become China's technology capital. Today we'll visit China's Silicon Valley and tour one of the research and innovation labs.

In the afternoon we'll visit Tsinghua University and learn how China is preparing the next generation of global technology leaders. We'll witness campus life as we visit local cafes and bookstores and talk with the tomorrow's future leaders.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4-Friday-Design Beijing Style

The recent explosion of new design in China, from the 2008 Olympic venues to avant-garde fashion and graphic design, Beijing is becoming a mecca for artists and designers as Chinese designers take the great leap forward onto the global stage. We'll visit local design studios and advertising agencies to get the a better understanding of the challenges of cross-cultural design.

In the afternoon we'll make our way to the DaShanZi arts district, a Bauhaus industrial area re-developed into artists' galleries, studios, bookshops and cafes, where experts on contemporary Chinese art will share their insights with us on Beijing's art culture.

Reception at a local gallery or publishing house, dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Day 5 Saturday-A Day in the Life of Beijing

Today we'll immerse ourselves and experience how Beijingers really live! You'll have the opportunity to spend the day with a University student, a Chinese middle class professional or an extended family to see what daily life in Beijing is really like; we'll explore daily activities including shopping and how residents spend their leisure time; whether watching TV at home with the family, hanging out in a local coffee shop on campus, shopping at a nearby mall or checking out the latest film.

Day 6-Sunday-Where to Next?

Our last day in Beijing will take us to a lesser known area of the Great Wall favored by Beijing's residents. As disposable incomes have grown, China is quickly cashing in on the rapidly developing domestic tourism market. We'll speak with Chinese tourists to understand their perspective on travel and talk with locals about their plans for travel in the future.

The rest of day will be spent digesting and synthesizing our experiences. We'll wrap up by discussing some of the emerging trends, challenges and opportunities that we've witnessed during our stay and what this means for the future of China with a local expert during our farewell reception and banquet at the hotel.

Day 7-Monday-Leave Beijing

Who will benefit?

Professionals involved in:

Innovation + Strategy Development
Consumer Insights + Analysis
Trend Research + Forecasting
Marketing Research
Business Development
Product Development
Design

Professional Development + Networking

You'll have a chance to learn from and network with industry peers, business leaders, product developers, designers and other local market experts on China, during our intimate fieldwork sessions, on-site visits, keynote presentations, off-site dinners and hosted banquets.

Registration includes:

All field excursions + on-site visits + tours
Interior transportation + transfers
Banquets + receptions
Translators + guides (Chinese/English)
Video highlight reel DVD + summary of findings (USD $1595.00 value)

Interested in learning more about the luxury market in China or India, designing for the Bottom of the Pyramid, selling to the BRICs or marketing to the Next Billion? for a 360 ° market immersion targeted to your organization or industry.

Getting There

Although we will recommend a preferred travel agency that may offer discounted fares and facilitate visa arrangements, attendees will be responsible for arranging their travel to/from China and securing their visas independently. Refunds will not be issued due to registrants' failure to secure travel to China and/or required travel documentation. Purchasing travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Research Without Borders; Understand Tomorrow’s Markets Today™