Creating a new events hub in Central China

President of the Union of International Fairs (UFI) Cliff Wallace and his team are pushing forward the internationalization of Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Wallace, also chairman of Hong Kong-Shanghai Venue Management (Zhengzhou) Limited (VMZL), said he would like to introduce Zhengzhou to every member of the UFI in about one year.

He set this as his main goal in the process of internationalizing Zhengzhou's exhibition industry.

With the assistance of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center and the network formed by the relationship of cooperation with the Shanghai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wallace will actively introduce Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre to exhibition organizers, and related media and associations worldwide.

Several countries and regions, such as Russia and India, had expressed their desire to sign cooperation agreements with Wallace but he chose Zhengzhou, a decision that resulted from his long-held wish to develop cooperation with the Chinese mainland.

Wallace said he conducted a number of investigations before reaching this decision, on areas such as the environment, policies of the local government, functions of the Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre as well as the market development potential of Zhengzhou, all of which helped him make the final decision to cooperate with Zhengzhou.

His decision to cooperate with Zhengzhou is based on the potential of the Zhengzhou exhibition industry and is proof of his confidence in the city's municipal government.

He said the Party secretary and mayor of Zhengzhou are very well informed about its exhibition industry and its role in the economy, which gave him considerable encouragement.

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre highlighted Zhengzhou in a photo album it launched recently.

It has a big photo of the Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre printed on the front cover, while the back cover has a photo of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Such juxtaposition indicates the importance of Zhengzhou, capital city of Central China's Henan Province, as it has been accorded an identical significance as Hong Kong in opening up to the world.

ZZICEC attracts attention

Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre (ZZICEC) has made great progress in operation and management, attracting widespread attention in the sector.

Supported by a cable-stayed suspension system connected to the roof, the center is one of three iconic buildings in Zhengzhou's central business area.

The center is a convention and exhibition complex with a construction area of 227,600 sq m. Its rentable indoor area totals 74,000 sq m, making it an ideal venue for conventions, exhibitions, entertainment events, receptions, banquets and ceremonial events.

The center has hosted more than 50 conventions and exhibitions so far, attracting nearly 3 million visitors from home and abroad.

"We are satisfied with the events held by the center, which benefit from the support of the local government and the efforts of all the staff. Such a good relationship of cooperation will give us more confidence for the internationalization of the center in the near future," said Cliff Wallace.

The center was named "the Best Convention and Exhibition Center in 2006 in China" at the Third China International Expo Festival held in Shenzhen last July.

Wallace emphasized that continuous analysis of the development of the local exhibition industry and its relevant sectors is necessary for reaching projected goals, while help from related sectors is necessary for the development of the exhibition industry and also for the sectors' benefit.

Training is one of the two factors necessary for the development of Zhengzhou's exhibition industry. Employees engaged in the exhibition industry should know more about the sector and attain professional standards in whatever they do.

Successful optimization of the city of Zhengzhou will also contribute to the development of the exhibition industry and increase the usage of its exhibition venues.

The extension of the Zhengzhou airport and highway will directly promote development of the exhibition industry. Easy access to the exhibition center, hotels and business centers of the city is crucial for the exhibition industry's development.

The exhibitions successfully hosted by the center have been introduced to the rest of the world through the networks of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Venue Management (Zhengzhou) Limited (VMZL).

With its favorable location in Central China and a population of over 4 million rooted in Chinese culture, as well as its strong manufacturing industry, Zhengzhou expects a brighter future for its exhibition industry.

(China Daily 01/03/2008 page24)