Focusing on “Time-Honored Brands,” Showcasing “New Vitality”: The Inaugural Meeting of the Taizhou Time-Honored Brands Association Successfully Held!

On the afternoon of January 23, the inaugural meeting of the Taizhou Time-Honored Brands Association was successfully held in Taizhou. Over 100 attendees participated, including officials from the Taizhou Civil Affairs Bureau, the Taizhou Cultural, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau, the Taizhou Market Supervision Bureau, as well as business bureau representatives from various counties (cities and districts), and members of the association.

Time-honored brands represent the essence of commercial culture that has evolved alongside Chinese cultural development. These brands are closely linked to social and historical progress. As a birthplace of China’s private economy, Taizhou has a rich history of time-honored enterprises, including a number of century-old brands such as “Shen Baoshan” and “Taiwu.” Since launching the “Taizhou Time-Honored Brand” recognition initiative in 2022, the city has organized two batches of recognition work for these brands. The number of time-honored enterprises is steadily growing, with 66 various types currently in operation, including 4 “Chinese Time-Honored Brands,” 28 “Zhejiang Time-Honored Brands,” and 62 “Taizhou Time-Honored Brands,” primarily concentrated in the traditional Chinese medicine, catering, retail, and food sectors.

Taizhou Time-Honored Brands Association is a significant event for the city’s commerce, playing a crucial role in stimulating consumption and cultural heritage of these brands, and enhancing Taizhou’s urban consumption capacity.The assembly articulated three strategic objectives: firstly, to foster innovation-driven revitalization of heritage brands, including product and service differentiation to cultivate regionally unique and culturally enriching offerings, leveraging cultural resources to bolster brand culture, and establishing digital sales channels such as online flagship stores and specialty boutiques. Secondly, to utilize platforms as catalysts for the development of time-honored brands, through the creation of exhibition and sales venues to amplify brand visibility, integrating with commercial districts to facilitate collaborative development among participating entities, and partnering with academic institutions to advance technological upgrades and product innovation. Thirdly, to leverage the association as a conduit for the revitalization and sustainable growth of time-honored brands, emphasizing roles as a connector, resource integrator, and strategic advisory think tank.

The meeting included a ceremonial recognition of leadership positions, an announcement of Taizhou’s listed heritage brands, and messages of congratulations from provincial and autonomous regional associations. Additionally, the launch of the “Time-Honored Brands” section within the Taizhou Wangchao App was announced, with “Wangchao Life” aiming to feature these brands prominently to enhance their visibility.

The foundation of the Taizhou Time-Honored Brands Alliance establishes a strategic platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange among indigenous heritage enterprises, significantly facilitating brand modernization and expansion while safeguarding and leveraging their resources.

Moving forward, the alliance will concentrate on three core areas: firstly, conducting market intelligence and stakeholder engagement activities—such as site visits, surveys, and forums—to communicate the needs and challenges faced by traditional brands, enabling governmental understanding of their developmental landscape and fostering constructive dialogue. Secondly, creating promotion channels and orchestrating events—including heritage brand expos, industry exhibitions, brand cluster initiatives, and museum collaborations—to elevate brand influence, broaden supply chain networks, and enhance market visibility and consumer trust. Additionally, the alliance will organize academic symposia, experience-sharing workshops, seminars, and professional training to advance contemporary management practices and strategic branding skills. Cultural outreach efforts via publications, digital platforms, media campaigns, and audiovisual content will further disseminate the brands’ cultural significance. Thirdly, strengthening organizational capacity through internal development initiatives—such as aligning with relevant regulatory standards, participating in their implementation, guiding enterprise compliance, safeguarding consumer rights, and offering legal advisories in collaboration with legal professionals—will uphold sustainable growth and industry integrity.

Translator：Louis