The 2022 Asia-Pacific Anti-Aging Conference at EXCO: this year’s show aims to be a catalyst for more regional events. Photo Credit: Daegu CVB
The Korea MICE Bureau (KMB) recently interviewed Kim Seong-tae,
secretary general of the Daegu Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB),
who shared his insights on how the CVB is performing.
Operating as an independent organisation with 12 members who are
focused on sales and marketing targeted towards international
conventions, the bureau has hosted 700 international conferences over
the past 20 years.
“Our vision is to become a world-class convention bureau to establish
Daegu as Asia’s leading city for business events,” said Kim.
Key projects
Large-scale international conventions held in Daegu include the 2004
World Solar City Congress, 2013 World Energy Congress, and the 2015
World Water Forum.
The city has established itself as a leading city for brain
convergence research infrastructure and global brain research through
hosting of the Brain and Neuroscience Congress.
Through the annual Global Robot Business Forum, Daegu formed the
Global Robot Cluster (GRC), to create a platform to lead the robot
industry.
Said Kim: “Even now, our convention bureau is in the process of
attracting 30 international conferences focused on Daegu’s five key
sectors including UAM (Urban Air Transportation), semiconductors,
robots, healthcare, and ABB (AI/Big Data/Blockchain). And we are seeing
the creation of legacies including industrial innovation and community
development as key factors.”
Creating legacy events
The bureau is developing various regional programmes that involve the
industry, academia and government. Daegu Exhibition & Convention
Center’s (EXCO) East Wing was opened in April 2022, securing 30,000 sqm
of exhibition space, making it possible to host large-scale
international conferences on a global level.
“With the opening of the East Wing, we were able to successfully host
the World Gas Congress in May 2022, inviting 4,267 participants from 73
countries. We are working on equipping the East Wing with meeting
facilities for small-to-medium scale meetings. This will contribute
greatly to participant satisfaction and attracting international
conferences,” said Kim.
Big wins in tough times
In 2020, the CVB successfully won the bid for the 2024 World Congress
on Fluid Dynamics and the 2026 World Society for Neurorehabilitation by
using an online bidding system. Through the establishment of an online
studio and an XR studio, it responded to the difficult environment with
the creation of a hybrid meeting room at EXCO.
New initiatives
The bureau will be aiming to launch regionally specialised
conventions such as the annual Asia-Pacific Anti-Aging Conference at
EXCO which has been running for six years by Daegu Convention Bureau.
Last year’s event drew 616 attendees, where 312 were international
delegates.