:: KINTEX e-NEWSLETTER ::

“The future historians will put the year 2005 as the year when the Korean exhibition industry secured a foothold for a take-off!”
This is how KINTEX President Hong Ki-hwa described the significance of the forthcoming launch of KINTEX in April. Hong’s remark is seen as an expression of his strong determination to make a new history for the Korean exhibition industry by promoting international, specialized and grand-scale exhibitions. At the same time, the remark can be viewed as an expression of his firm resolve to contribute to the national economic development through the fostering of the exhibition industry. The Koran exhibition industry can be classified into the pre-KINTEX and the post-KINTEX era. Before the opening of KINTEX, the exhibition industry in Korea suffered from such problems as the limited exhibition space, the lack of specialized exhibitions and the prevalence of similar exhibitions.

These problems were hard to tackle because of the poor conditions of the exhibition centers. They were also related with the practice of exhibition centers repeating similar exhibitions every year. Constrained space made it virtually impossible for exhibitors to host large-scale exhibitions. Hence, there were usually stereotypical exhibitions coming out in similar sizes or similar methods.

From 2005, the situation will change significantly. This change is possible because of the “power of KINTEX.” Both government officials and exhibitors have long emphasized the need to hold specialized and international trade exhibitions. However, such exhibitions could not be held because of the lack of exhibition centers equipped with sufficient facilities and space. This will change with the inauguration of KINTEX.

When the third-phase construction is completed by 2013, KINTEX will provide Asia's largest single exhibition space with its exhibition space of 178,513 sq. meters while sitting on a total site of 333,580 sq. meters. Then, of Asia’s single exhibition halls, KINTEX will be the largest. KINTEX will be able to display such large items as airplanes, machines or heavy tools - all too big to be installed in any of the existing exhibition halls in Korea. With KINTEX available, there won't be any longer a shortage of display space in Seoul and its metropolitan areas.

KIINTEX offers no shortage of video conferencing systems, facilities for simultaneous interpretations and IBS systems. KINTEX is in a modern and refined shape, with its display and convention facilities being rated at the top-end of quality.

KINTEX is also making steady progress in its endeavor to secure high-quality contents commensurate with its grand size and superb facilities. Between 2005 and 2006, KINTEX will host the so-called “Big Five” Korean exhibitions, including the Seoul Motor Show, which is the nation’s largest exhibition with international reputation. The other four exhibitions are the Korea Electronics Show (KES), the Korean Machine Tool Industry Show, and the Kyunghyang Housing Show and the Machine Tools Show. As of December 2004, four months before the inauguration, KINTEX has secured 28 events. It can be said that the center of gravity in the Korean exhibition industry has shifted to Goyang City, where KINTEX is located.

KINTEX’s marketing drive was not the only contributing factor. Exports have pointed out that KINTEX has all the features required of an international exhibition center, including its superb location. These features, plus its marketing capability, have enabled KINTEX to achieve such a remarkable achievement.

KINTEX has set off its globalization drive for the nation's exhibition industry. Its capacity to hold events that require a space of over 50,000 sq. meters is making the venue an attractive choice for exhibitors in Europe and the US that seek exhibition venues in Japan, China or Southeast Asia. KINTEX has already signed an MOU with the Singapore EXPO and is conducting negotiations with the Fiera Milano of Italy and the CIEC of China. More cooperative ties with international exhibitors and related organizations are expected to follow.

The Korean exhibition industry will be ushered into a new chapter with the launching of KINTEX, in April 2005. And, this year will surely be remembered as the year when the nation’s exhibition industry secured a foundation for take-off in the international arena.