IFEZ Journal

Becoming Global 

Going beyond Being First Place 

in Korea

An exhibition and convention center, an essential piece of infrastructure for the MICE industry, can serve as a landmark that enhances a city’s image and influences the revitalization of the local economy. As such, IFEZ is growing into a world-class city centered around Songdo Convensia and an advanced MICE industry. Let’s take a closer look at what it takes to be among the world’s best exhibition and convention centers, looking for opportunities to advance as a global business frontier.

Songdo Convensia Leaps forward as a Venue for Global Events 

Incheon was the first city in Korea to be designated as a free economic zone(IFEZ). Afterward, as Songdo International City was developed in stages within IFEZ, its tenant companies and other businesses in large-scale industrial complexes nearby needed a place to advertise their competitiveness. Accordingly, in 2003, Incheon Metropolitan City and New Songdo International Development(NCIS) signed a contract to build Songdo Convensia. The construction began in 2005 and was completed in 2008. Songdo Convensia’s exhibition area spreads out over 17,021 ㎡, including four exhibition halls and space for approximately 900 booths. Additionally, it offers over 40 conference rooms, including a premier ballroom and grand ballroom. Songdo Convensia has hosted various domestic and international events related to various industries and cultures, including furniture showcases, weddings, F&B, and e-sports. In 2019, the International Forum of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) was presented here. while the Incheon Asia Art Show(IAAS), Asia’s largest art show, was held at Songdo Convensia two years later(in 2021). Last November, the World Health City Forum, an international forum to discuss future smart healthy cities, also held an event here. Due to these active hosting duties, Songdo Convensia and the surrounding area were selected as Korea’s first international conference complex in 2018. Furthermore, Songdo Convensia is truly accelerating toward becoming a world-class convention center with its hosting of a large-scale international exhibition requiring an exhibit space of at least 30,000 ㎡. To meet this standard, Songdo Convensia plans to carry out construction for expansion this year. Once this is completed, Songdo Convensia will secure a space of approximately 40,000 ㎡ to solidify its place as a world-class exhibition and convention center.

Songdo Convensia hosting global forums and various industry exhibitions

Hannover Messe, One of the World’s Largest Trade Fairs 

Hannover Messe in Germany is simply defined as the world’s largest exhibition hall. The exhibition area here is a whopping 496,000 ㎡. To give more context, Hannover Messe’s exhibition complex spans 13 generous exhibition halls.

Hannover Messe was established after World War II. At the time, the economy of Germany, a defeated and deflated country, was miserable. British and American investors formed Deutsche Messe AG(German Trade Fair Limited) to boost the country’s exports and speed up the German economy’s recovery. Through this operating company, the first exhibition that invited representatives from many countries around the world was held on August 18, 1947. The fair resulted in 1,900 export contracts worth more than USD 3,000. Since then, Hannover Messe has rapidly emerged as the world’s most visited fair. Its first exhibition hall opened in 1970, and a total of 13 halls had been built on the site by 2000. Dating back to 1987, CeBIT has given the city another reputation jolt as a mecca for the world’s high-tech electronics industry. Korean companies also participate in CeBIT, mobilizing substantial materials and staffing. Along with CES in Las Vegas, CeBIT represents the world’s largest electronics and IT industry-focused exhibition. Large-scale events are held year round at this world-famous exhibition complex.