Host's supportive policies boost key exhibition sector

The ongoing China International Fair for Investment and Trade, as well as the BRICS Summit held from Sept 3-5, promote the development of the conference and exhibition industry in the host city Xiamen, and demonstrate the sector's role as a new engine of local economic growth, according to local officials.

Xiamen, Fujian province, was one of the first cities in China to start developing its conference and exhibition industry. The local authorities said they have long valued the industry.

Government statistics show that 93 exhibitions and 3,850 commercial conferences were held in Xiamen in the first half of this year, attracting a total of more than 850,000 participants.

The sector generated 18.6 billion yuan ($2.84 billion) in revenue during the period, which accounted for one-third of Xiamen's tourism industry.

The conference and exhibition industry is an important part of the modern services sector and also a key indicator of internationalization and economic development, according to the Xiamen government.

To create a more friendly environment conducive to the growth of the industry, the Xiamen convention and exhibition affairs bureau, and the city's bureau of finance launched a joint supportive policy in April.

According to the policy, the Xiamen government will provide subsidies for event organizers, determined by the event's scale and area.

The government will provide 100,000 yuan to organizers for an exhibition, if it offers more than 500 exhibition booths in an exhibition area of more than 10,000 square meters.

To develop itself into a model city for the industry nationwide, as well as an international destination for conferences and exhibitions, Xiamen has upgraded its infrastructure, facilities and services toward internationalization, following rapid development in recent years, according to the local government.

Official statistics show that the city hosted 967 exhibitions from 2012 to 2016, an 84.54 percent increase compared to five years earlier.  

The area for exhibitions and conferences expanded to 8.78 million sq m during the 2012-16 period, a growth of 105.25 percent.

"The government encourages projects and organizations relating to conferences and exhibitions to settle in Xiamen, including international exhibitions and local-brand exhibitions," said Wang Qiongwen, director of the Xiamen convention and exhibition affairs bureau.

"Premier conferences and exhibitions need global industrial resources, professional planning teams and innovative promotional events, with the aim of creating new models of running conferences and exhibitions," Wang said.

Lai Guoxiang, general manager of Xiamen Jinhongxin Exhibition Co, gave the example of the Xiamen International Stone Fair. The annual event is held in March, promoting the development of China's stone industry, as well as foreign trade in stone products.

"It helps to strengthen international competitiveness and learn overseas expertise in manufacturing, processing and application," Lai said.

"By showcasing new products using stone materials, as well as related technologies and equipment, from around the world, the exhibition has built up a platform for industrial communication and created new business opportunities.

Xiamen is expected to hold more than 1.3 million global conferences annually by the end of 2020, according to the city's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20).

By then, the yearly revenue of the industry is expected to surpass 70 billion yuan, and events-themed tourism is projected to generate more than 170 billion yuan in annual revenue.