rave New World The five months since Shenyang New World EXPO ’ s reopening in northeast China are illustrative of the region ’ s pent-up event market demand .

The events complex is the region ’ s newest and most modern exhibition venue . Situated in Liaoning province ’ s capital , EXPO is reporting renewed event bookings while incidences of Covid-19 had been decreasing within the region up until December .

Twenty-two events had been staged at EXPO in the period up to the start of January since it reopened its doors in July 2020 . Management had tried four times previously to reopen last summer , but all efforts were interrupted by fresh regional outbreaks of Covid-19 , leading to the delay .

The event mix at EXPO over these past months has included exhibitions , meetings , and smaller local and regional events , as well as the China Korea Investment and Trade Expo and concurrent Liaoning International Fair for Investment and Trade , which drew a cumulative attendance of 68,365 , 11-17 November 2020 .

Additionally , the 2020 Northeast Asia Catering Conference and the 6th ( Shenyang ) Huajiao Catering EXPO Conference , attracted 28,710 visitors , 22-26 October , while the 42nd Northeast ( Shenyang ) Asia Pacific Beauty & Cosmetics Fair and the 2020 Liaoning Plant Protection Product Fair both drew over 12,000 visitors each for four-day separate runs in September 2020 .

Previous EXPO management company chairman and current senior executive advisor , Cliff

Wallace said : “ The vigilance , and emergency preparedness of the EXPO staff , as well as the proactive response of Shenyang ’ s government to combat the pandemic , is leading to a recovering exhibition and meeting industry within the region . The release of the new vaccines to combat Covid-19 will have a very positive impact . I remain very optimistic .”

Wallace ’ s optimism notwithstanding , it is fair to add that since December 2020 , Shenyang – in common with some other regions in China – has been experiencing a small resurgence of Covid-19 cases ( 29 cumulative infected cases found between Christmas and 9 January 2021 , following nearly seven months of no new cases ). The entire city population of 8.4 million residents was tested twice during a nine-day period as a result .

EXPO general manager Diane Chen said : “ The ability for China to administer medical testing to such numbers and so quickly is difficult to comprehend by those

Above : Cliff Wallace , CVE – EXPO Senior Executive Advisor

Below : Shenyang New World EXPO

in other countries . This is simply due to the experience in dealing with comparable population challenges in the past that have helped to make the Chinese so resilient . We are optimistic that the peak season of exhibitions in 2021 will be uninterrupted with the prevention measures implemented by EXPO and supported by the local authorities .”

The team reports that 28 events are currently scheduled on the 2021 EXPO calendar , including the following large exhibitions : in the first quarter :

• Shenyang International Advertising Festival ( 10-14 March )

• The 23rd North International Exhibition of Heating , Ventilation , Air Conditioning and Comfortable Home System ( 15-19 March )

• The 22nd China Northeast International Dental Equipment & Affiliated Facilities Exhibition & Symposium on Oral Health ( 20-25 March )

• The 26th China Northeast International Building & Decoration Exhibition ( 26-30 March ).