Destination Report |
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For hosted buyer programmes with an interest in innovation, the Hyundai Motor Studio Goyang offers an immersive look at Korean design and engineering excellence. As Hyundai ' s largest exhibition space, it showcases the brand’ s technological advancement through interactive installations – a compelling addition to automotive or manufacturing show itineraries.
Suwon: Heritage meets modernity Suwon, capital of Gyeonggi Province, in northwestern South Korea, extends the country’ s exhibition credentials with the modern Suwon Convention Centre, which opened in 2019 with 30,000sqm of space designed around sustainability and technology. The venue serves the growing Gyeonggi region and offers an alternative to Seoul for organisers seeking a city with strong regional appeal.
The city also boasts its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hwaseong Fortress, providing distinctive networking opportunities for organisers looking to offer delegates something beyond the standard show experience. A classic example of how South Korea seamlessly integrates heritage with contemporary exhibition infrastructure.
Incheon: The Smart City showcase Just 40 minutes from Seoul, Incheon serves as South Korea’ s international gateway and home to one of the world’ s most efficient airports. Within the city, Songdo International Business District stands as a model smart city and a showcase of sustainable urban development. At its centre, Songdo Convensia offers 54,000sqm of exhibition space in a striking glass structure with panoramic views of Songdo Central Park. As one of Korea’ s first LEED-certified exhibition centres, it represents the country’ s commitment to environmental responsibility. It hosts over 320 events a year including Korean Ocean Expo and Tech Week Korea.
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The venue’ s location in Songdo makes it particularly attractive for technology and sustainability-focused shows, offering a live demonstration of smart city principles in action. Accommodation in the area ranges from contemporary luxury hotels to properties with traditional Korean architectural influences, providing options for different exhibitor and visitor profiles.
Cultural depth: Adding value beyond the show floor One of South Korea’ s greatest strengths as an exhibition destination is its ability to offer experiences that resonate beyond business transactions. For shows incorporating hosted buyer programmes or VIP itineraries, the Korean Folk Village in Yongin transports visitors back to the Joseon dynasty. This open-air museum features restored traditional houses, artisan workshops, and live performances including folk music and
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Above: COEX in Seoul
Left: Suwon Convention Centre
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martial arts. Groups can participate in hands-on activities such as pottery or calligraphy, making it an ideal addition to exhibition programmes that seek to create lasting impressions.
A visit to the Odusan Unification Observatory in Paju provides a powerful perspective on Korea ' s history and resilience. Overlooking the Demilitarised Zone( DMZ), the observatory offers views into North Korea and thought-provoking exhibitions on peace and reconciliation.
A destination that delivers What distinguishes South Korea in the competitive Asia-Pacific exhibition market is its ability to balance operational excellence with genuine differentiation. The infrastructure is undeniably world-class, with government-backed support programmes, advanced technology, and sustainable practices embedded throughout the industry. Yet it’ s the cultural richness – from traditional craft demonstrations to the cutting-edge innovation of districts like Songdo – that transforms a trade show into a more memorable and valuable experience for exhibitors and visitors alike.
For organisers seeking a destination that can deliver both flawless execution and distinctive positioning, South Korea presents a compelling proposition. Whether launching a major B2B show at KINTEX, relocating an established expo to COEX, or exploring opportunities in the smart city environment of Incheon, the destination offers the infrastructure, innovation, and cultural depth to ensure success.
As exhibitions continue to evolve beyond simple transactional platforms toward more experiential and digitally integrated formats, South Korea’ s blend of technology leadership, sustainability credentials, and cultural authenticity positions it as one of Asia’ s most forward-thinking event destinations. EW
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www. exhibitionworld. co. uk |
Issue 6 2025 39 |