Nearly 10 months after the Sichuan Wenchuan earthquake, Chengdu, the provincial capital city that functions as the headquarters of the massive reconstruction operations, which was also affected by the earthquake, is planning to host a series of exhibitions and conventions to boost its exhibition economy, a significant player in the city’s service sector, hoping to spur domestic demands in line with the central government’s stimulus package against the negative impact imposed by the ongoing global economic slowdown and financial turmoil.
As the first move toward this end, Chengdu will host China National Sugar and Alcoholic Commodities Fair (Spring Session). The upcoming event, which is sponsored by China National Sugar and Alcohol Group Corp, is scheduled to be held from Mar.21 to Mar.27. It is held twice a year in spring and autumn respectively and has become an import economic event for China’s food industry. After half century of development, the Fair has become well-known in both China and abroad for its exhibiting area of 60,000 square meters, over 3,000 participants, and trading volume of over RMB 10 billion.
More events and exhibitions will be held on schedule in the following months, including the 10th Western China International Economy & Trade Fair, China International Software Summit, the 12th Chengdu International Auto Exhibition 2009, China Sport Tourism Expo, the China International Food & Tourism Festival, etc. Chengdu has been always the ideal place for exhibitors to launch their activities, due to its unique position and excellent condition.
Chengdu is a leading city in the west as well as an exhibition & convention center in this region. Exhibition industry is a key growth point in Chengdu. The influence of exhibition and convention industry in Chengdu is second to only Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in China.
Indeed, even hit by the quake, Chengdu didn’t lose its appeal as the technological, commercial, financial center and logistics hub in western China. In 2008, over 260 conventions and exhibitions were held in Chengdu, 13% more than the pre-defined goal. The direct revenue (output) which was generated from those events, grew by RMB 870 million to hit RMB over 1.32 billion, representing an increment of 20.1% year on year. Based on the international calculation method, the indirect revenue exceeded RMB 18 billion.
According to Chengdu municipal government, the city is scheduled to host over 280 conventions and exhibitions in 2009, aiming to promoting consumption by RMB 20 billion. Through these series of events, Chengdu is trying to seize the opportunities to showcase the city’s new image in the post-quake era.
As the world economy encountered a severe crisis, China is still expected to achieve sustainable growth at 8%. However, not every Chinese city will benefit equally from the growth. As the production coast soars and competition for talents intensifies, there will be more and more foreign and domestic investors shifting there focus to inland China. Chengdu, a city equipped with all ingredients for success, sound infrastructure, deep talent pool, huge market potential and transparent government, is set to prosper further.