The South Korean government plans to increase its support budget for the exhibition industry to 11.7 billion won (approximately $8.5 million) next year. This initiative aims to develop more than five national and regional flagship exhibitions by 2030 and to raise the proportion of large-scale exhibitions that integrate industry and culture to 20%.
On October 14, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the "Exhibition Industry Development Roadmap 2030" during an economic ministers' meeting. This roadmap was created in response to the era of $1 trillion in exports and the completion of the third exhibition hall at KINTEX and the Jamsil MICE complex.
The government intends to establish a business platform suitable for the $1 trillion export era by nurturing over five flagship exhibitions and expanding large-scale convergence exhibitions by 2030. To achieve this, it will implement four main strategies and 12 policy tasks, including fostering global representative exhibitions, developing regionally specialized exhibitions, expanding the overseas presence of the K-exhibition industry, and strengthening the competitiveness of the exhibition industry.
Initially, exhibitions in advanced industries such as electronics, semiconductors, and robotics will be consolidated under a common theme of artificial intelligence (AI) to create larger events. This year, the "K-Connect AI" will showcase five exhibitions, including the Korea Electronics Show, Semiconductor Exhibition, RoboWorld, Asia Machinery and Manufacturing Industry Exhibition, and the Industrial AI Expo. With the completion of KINTEX's third exhibition hall in November 2028, the timing, location, and branding of these exhibitions will be integrated, along with an expansion of international conferences.
Consumer goods exhibitions, such as those for food and cosmetics, will incorporate K-pop performances, gourmet experiences, and local festivals. The plan aims to attract overseas buyers and link tourism programs to ensure that participation in exhibitions translates into actual export and tourism demand.
The government is also accelerating the development of regional exhibition industries. It plans to promote regionally specialized exhibitions in areas such as shipbuilding and marine in Busan, mobility in Daegu, energy in Gwangju, and cosmetics in Osong, in line with the "5 poles and 3 specialties" growth engine. To support this, the exhibition industry budget will increase from 7 billion won this year to 11.7 billion won next year, with 3.5 billion won allocated for new regional flagship exhibitions.
By 2027, the government plans to select four to five regional flagship exhibitions through a public competition, providing 500 million to 1 billion won per exhibition over two to four years. In 2029, a mid-term evaluation will identify outstanding exhibitions for enhanced global support, including overseas roadshows and networking with diplomatic delegations. A "Regional Exhibition Alliance" will be established to involve local businesses and small enterprises, and the designation of "Exhibition Industry Development Zones" will be pursued for regions with exhibition spaces exceeding 5,000 square meters.
The government will also expand its overseas outreach. It will support the establishment and operation of overseas exhibition halls in strategic markets such as India, the Middle East, and Central Asia by leveraging the capabilities of KOTRA, KINTEX, and COEX. Additionally, it will enhance support for the overseas hosting of domestic brand exhibitions and buyer matching for participating companies.
Furthermore, the government will form an Exhibition Industry Development Committee and pursue amendments to the Exhibition Industry Development Act. Support will also be provided for the adoption of AI solutions by exhibition businesses, the operation of eco-friendly exhibition facilities, and the training of specialized personnel.
This roadmap is a follow-up to the government's ongoing discussions on strengthening the competitiveness of the exhibition industry. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held a task force kickoff meeting in March to discuss implementation plans linked to the fourth exhibition industry development plan (2026-2030). At that time, fostering national flagship exhibitions like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and revitalizing local exhibition industries were highlighted as key tasks.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan stated, "The exhibition industry is a key high-value-added sector that drives our companies' export expansion and industrial innovation while invigorating the local economy. We will work together with the government, local governments, and the exhibition industry to ensure that the exhibition sector can evolve into a global business platform suitable for the $1 trillion export era."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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