Shenyang New World EXPO reopens to pent-up demand

Optimistic outlook for northeast China's events sector, with 190,905 event attendees and no reported health issues.

China Korea Investment and Trade Expo
The China Korea Investment and Trade Expo (pictured) and concurrent Liaoning International Fair for Investment and Trade, welcomed a combined total of 68,365 attendees from 11 to 17 November.

Since reopening its doors in July, Shenyang New World EXPO in northeast China has already hosted 16 events, with none of the 190,905 attendees reporting health issues during or following the events as well.

The newest venue in Liaoning province’s capital had made plans to reopen during the summer months, following the success of other events in Beijing. However, this was interrupted due to new Covid-19 outbreaks in the region.

Despite being a relatively smaller regional venue compared to the rest of China, EXPO general manager Diane Chen is "confident the rapidly booked activity following our reopening in late July clearly indicates that the demand for such venues throughout the region, as well as within all of China, is significant".

The numbers and scale of event sizes match Chen's sentiments.

Consisting of a mix of exhibitions, meetings, smaller local and regional events, some events staged at the EXPO included the 2020 Northeast Asia Catering Conference, the 6th (Shenyang) Huajiao Catering EXPO Conference, the 42nd Northeast (Shenyang) Asia Pacific Beauty & Cosmetics Fair, and 2020 Liaoning Plant Protection Product Fair.

Between 11 to 17 November, the China Korea Investment and Trade Expo and concurrent Liaoning International Fair for Investment and Trade welcomed a combined total of 68,365 attendees.

Making all these happen are "the vigilance, ongoing staff attention, and emergency preparedness of the EXPO staff, as well as the proactive response of Shenyang’s government to combat the pandemic," said previous EXPO management company chairman and current senior executive advisor Cliff Wallace.

"[All these contribute] to a recovering exhibition and meeting industry within Shenyang and the region. I remain very optimistic.”