Our First International Journey: Hobby Expo China 2025

It has been a while since our last blog update, but we’ve had so many exciting experiences that we’re eager to share. Starting with this post, we’ll be bringing you more stories, milestones, and behind-the-scenes moments from Horizon Diecast.

April 2025 marked a new milestone for Horizon Diecast — our very first international trip to participate in Hobby Expo China, one of the most renowned gatherings in the diecast and model car world. What began as a dream to share our passion with collectors abroad became a defining moment in our store’s journey.

The Excitement of Travel

From Toronto to China, this trip wasn’t just about showcasing our brand — it was about stepping into a larger stage where model car culture thrives globally. Walking into the Expo hall, we were immediately surrounded by the latest releases, prototype reveals, and thousands of fellow enthusiasts who share the same dedication to the craft of miniature cars.

Meeting Fellow Brands and Friends

Beyond the exhibitions, we also had the chance to connect with many other brands and friends in the industry. We shared great conversations with GCD, LCD, MotorHelix, MiniGT, CM Model, Tarmac Works and Timemicro, each bringing their own unique vision and creativity to the diecast world. Meeting these teams face-to-face was a highlight of our trip — their warm greetings and support made us feel truly welcomed. We’re grateful for the time spent together, and it was a pleasure finally putting faces to names we’ve worked with and admired from afar.

Special Encounters at the MiniGT Dinner

One of the highlights of our trip was attending the MiniGT Dinner, where we had the privilege to meet some of the most influential figures in the diecast and automotive design world.

  • Glen Chow (MiniGT) – As a key figure behind MiniGT, Glen’s insight into the future of diecast collecting gave us a better understanding of how the brand continues to push innovation while keeping collectors’ expectations at heart.

  • Jun Imai (Kaido House) – Known for his bold and creative designs, Jun’s journey from Hot Wheels to Kaido House has inspired collectors worldwide. Meeting him in person was both surreal and motivational, as he shared stories about turning passion projects into a global brand.

  • Hironao Yokomaku (VeilSide) – A legend in the tuning and automotive world, his presence added a special touch to the evening. Hearing his perspective on design, performance, and culture reminded us how diecast models connect to real car heritage.

Sharing conversations, laughs, and stories with these icons reminded us why we started Horizon Diecast — to celebrate car culture in all its forms, from design sketches to collectible scale models.

Looking Ahead

This trip was more than just attending an Expo; it was about building bridges with the global diecast community. We returned home inspired, motivated, and more determined than ever to bring the best models and experiences to our collectors here in Canada and around the world.

Hobby Expo China 2025 will always be remembered as our first international milestone, and we can’t wait to see where the next journey takes Horizon Diecast.

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