Venue project
including storage and restaurant
space.
JWC was able to draw on a rich
seam of experience and data,
having built up a database and done
benchmark work with venues in
Germany, Europe and major places in
Asia (40 altogether).
“Traffic patterns were also
considered, toilets, entrants, truck
access,” Weber adds. “Who should
be next to what. We had very clear
ratios.”
One challenge Weber recalls was
convincing the architects to study
other venues to learn from both best,
and worst, practice.
“It was important, however, that
we weren’t building a German venue,
but a Chinese venue in China.
“For example lunch is at 12 noon
sharp; that is important in China and
is why you need catering capacity
because everyone comes at the same
time.”
The government really listened
and acted on our advice and followed
95% of it. They understood that form
follows function.
What of budget controls? How did
JWC charge for its work?
“We give clients a fixed fee, we
don’t work on a daily basis. If the
extent of work is reasonably above
what we planned and goes to a
totally different level, then we would
talk. But one or two more visits to
Shenzhen or a few days more is OK,”
says Witt. “We want to deliver top
quality and part of that game is that
you occasionally have to put in more
resource than you had planned.”
What of the overall construction
budget?
“It is always demanding. The
roof construction was complex in
this instance but there was never
a risk that there would any halt in
construction. At the end of the day the
two companies are state owned.”
Building on reclaimed land and
soft foundations and getting the load
factor right was a real challenge.
“Our Chinese partners always
honour all contracts, but do not enter
w w w.exhibitionworld.co.uk
a new agreement if something is not
right,” Witt notes.
One main point of discussion was
whether to go for a one or two level
design. The JWC advice was not to
complicate with two levels and go for
a spacious one storey design.
Another example of debate was
how much daylight to let into the hall,
“A lot of glass can help promote the
hall but it can be a mess. We know
a number of halls in venues with
daylight, which are a mess for many
shows, since the windows have to be
darkened for a lot of events - a costly
exercise,” notes Witt.
With Shenzhen experiencing
hot weather most of the year, air
conditioning was also another test
and all 19 halls have air conditioning.
There has been a big investment
in rigging possibilities. Weber is a
great believer in its power to facilitate
sustainable booth construction
like light textile hangings and give
organisers many more options,
including extra sources of income.
Another part of the plan was
advising on what kind of shows
are required and getting the mix
right. “What you do in year one will
influence what you do in year five,”
Witt points out. Certain industries are
Above:
Central
corridor of
Shenzhen
World
also targeted.
“The machinery sector is very
strong in China and very interested in
a quality venue,” he says.
Shenzhen, Witt believes, can
compete with Beijing and Shanghai,
but needs to get the call right when
deciding whether to take the small
show or wait for that big one.
“There are A shows, B shows and C
shows and you need a combination,”
he says.
But Shenzhen World is not going
into business as an organiser, just yet
at least, and Witt believes that is the
right strategy.
“If our assumption is right that
the venue will be full after five
years, then there is no room for own
organising activities. If that is not the
case, then we could reconsider.”
What of the 5% of the JWC advice
not taken by the government?,
“We’re not telling!” Witt laughs.
The JWC contract runs into 2020 and
the team is discussing areas where
further support may be needed.
And what does Witt have to say to
international organisers considering
Shenzhen?
“Shenzhen will be the No.1
economic city in China, possibly even
in Asia in medium to long term. The
earlier you will be here the better it
is for you.
Weber adds: “It is a perfect
location for a venue and has
excellent infrastructure, including
a good choice of airports. Shanghai,
by comparison, is crowded and
infrastructure limited.”
Witt concludes: “When you look
at European venues, there are so
many investing hundreds of millions
of euros without really changing the
structure. It is amazing how money is
being wasted without thinking what
kind of structure will be needed in 10
years. We need to be thinking about
moving old centres and the freed up
land can then finance the move.”
The new build experience can
surely offer a lesson for finding a
fresh lifespan for some of our old
favourites.
Issue 5 2019
71