THE number of conventions and exhibitions held in Shenzhen this year will exceed 100, an all-time high, and some blockbuster exhibitions are expected to stage a comeback following a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Shenzhen Economic Daily reported, quoting commerce officials.

Shenzhen is picking up its pace in becoming an international convention and exhibition hub. The post-pandemic recovery of its expo sector is evident as the city has already hosted a number of exhibitions since the start of February.

Automechanika Shanghai, the city’s first large-scale globally influential professional exhibition this year, was held Feb. 15-18, followed by about 15 other exhibitions, including the China (Shenzhen) Cross-border E-commerce Fair, the China Intl. Allfood Exhibition, the 18th Asia Printing Technology, Office Equipment and Consumables Exhibition, and Design Shenzhen, in quick succession.

A bustling scene was seen at Automechanika Shanghai when approximately 6,000 people showed up on the exhibition’s opening day. The China Intl. Allfood Exhibition drew nearly 1,500 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and regions and the number of on-site professional visitors was three times that of the previous exhibition. According to exhibitors, this year’s China Intl. Allfood Exhibition was much better than they had expected.

Some brand-name exhibitions, including the China International Optoelectronic Exposition, the DMP Greater Bay Area Industrial Expo, NEPCON ASIA, and the Global Tea Fair China (Shenzhen) Autumn, will make a comeback this year.

The integration of industry and exhibition is one of the key trends in the development of the convention and exhibition industry, the Daily report said. Efforts will be made to ensure the success of premier exhibitions such as the China Hi-Tech Fair, the China Marine Economy Expo and the China International Optoelectronic Exposition, commerce officials said.

Shenzhen has vowed to ramp up its efforts to introduce and cultivate trade fairs related to the city’s strategic emerging and future industries. Over 60 of such exhibitions are scheduled to be held in the city this year.

The number of exhibitions in the city’s three major exhibition venues, namely Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District, Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center in Bao’an District, and Yanzi Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center in Pingshan District, is expected to grow by 3.6 times year on year, reaching a record high.

As a vital part of the modern services industry, the exhibition sector has a multiplier effect, according to industry experts. In other words, large-scale and professional exhibitions can generate the rapid flow of people, logistics, information and capital, which will in turn create a consumption chain integrating transportation, accommodation, catering, shopping and tourism, injecting new momentum into Shenzhen’s high-quality economic growth. (SD News)