This Month we get to know Hunan Convention & Exhibition Group:
What was your motivation to join ICCA?
The motivation for Hunan Convention & Exhibition Group to join ICCA is mainly based on the following three considerations:
Firstly, to strengthen industry credibility and international recognition. We are well aware that the ICCA membership represents the authority and professional height of the global conference industry. Joining this international organization can not only enhance the group's brand credibility in the international market, but also showcase our professional service capabilities and international vision to clients through ICCA's global platform, thus deepening client trust and laying the foundation for undertaking high - standard international conferences.
Secondly, to expand the global market and cooperation opportunities. We look forward to accurately connecting with the dynamics of the international conference market through ICCA's global network, industry summits, and professional publications, and increasing the group's exposure among overseas organizers and institutional clients. At the same time, we hope to establish in - depth connections with international peers through the ICCA platform, explore potential cooperation opportunities, and promote the two - way flow of resources between the Hunan convention and exhibition industry and the international community.
Finally, to empower professional capabilities and bidding advantages. We expect to access the bidding dynamics and opportunities of international conferences through ICCA's global conference database and efficiently integrate strategic resources. At the same time, by analyzing the industry reports issued by ICCA, we can systematically build a knowledge system and continuously optimize our professional capabilities in international exhibition projects
Tell us your story. How did your organisation get started?
The development of Hunan Convention & Exhibition Group is driven by the dual forces of industry accumulation and strategic upgrading. It originated from the Hunan Provincial Department of Commerce Exhibition Center, which was established in 2000. Over the past 24 years, it has sponsored and organized more than 100 projects, organized over 400 overseas exhibition projects, with an exhibition area of over 10 million square meters and served more than 20,000 enterprises.
Strategic Reorganization: Building an All - in - One Exhibition Platform
In October 2023, in-depth implementation of the strategic positioning and mission assigned by the Hunan Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, Hunan Tourism Group integrated its advantageous resources to establish Hunan Convention & Exhibition Group, building a provincial - level state - owned comprehensive exhibition service enterprise covering the entire "convention, exhibition, festival, performance, and competition" industry chain. The group's business covers multiple sectors, including the operation and
management of large - scale exhibition venues, the hosting and organization of exhibition activities, exhibition supporting services, cultural and tourism product innovation, and cultural performances.
Core Advantages: Leading with Domestic and Overseas Benchmark Projects
The exhibition sector of the group has participated in the organization and service of nearly 100 key domestic and overseas trade activities, been responsible for the conference services of more than 40 sessions of the Canton Fair, participated in the implementation of 4 sessions of the China - Africa Economic and Trade Expo, and hosted and implemented 9 sessions of the China International Food and Catering Expo, 6 sessions of the Aerospace, Aviation, and Navigation Industry Development Forum, 3 sessions of the Central China Investment and Trade Expo, 4 sessions of the Hunan (Yueyang) Port Economic and Trade Expo, and other national and provincial - level key exhibition projects. It has also planned and executed important events such as the Changsha International Luxury Goods Expo, the Changsha International Wine Expo, and the "Taste of Hunan" Food Season. Every year, it organizes enterprises to participate in nearly 50 world - class well - known exhibitions in more than 20 countries and regions overseas, and has accumulated rich experience in national - level exhibition services and high - end government affairs activities.
International Breakthrough: Two - Way Empowerment for Industry Going Global
In 2024, the group deeply implemented the strategies of "international resources + local industry" and "local resources + international platform", and successfully "went global". Throughout the year, it signed 5 international projects, established liaison offices in 3 African countries, completed 24 overseas exhibitions, 7 outbound business delegations, and assisted 108 local enterprises in participating in exhibitions. Focusing on Sino - foreign economic and trade cooperation, it continuously expanded its international business.
The self - organized exhibition IP, the Food and Catering Expo, has become the province's first government - sponsored exhibition to transform into a market - oriented one. It has been successfully held for nine sessions, and the 10th session will be held from September 19th to 21st this year. The group will also launch a series of special events in Malaysia, including a sub - exhibition of the Food and Catering Expo, the East Africa (Kenya) Home, Gift & Fashion Fair, the Kenya Industrial Expo, the South Africa International Industrial Exhibition, and the Saudi Trade Week CTW & Smart Home and Consumer Electronics Expo.
Future Layout: Aiming at a Modern Industrial System
The group will continue to focus on Hunan Province's "4×4" modern industrial system and 13 key industrial chains, and hold international exhibitions in strategic emerging industries such as aerospace, information security, and biomedicine.
What makes Hunan Convention & Exhibition Group different?
As the leading enterprise in the Hunan convention and exhibition industry, Hunan Convention & Exhibition Group's unique competitiveness is mainly reflected in the trinity model of regional characteristics, policy engines, and resource integration capabilities.
Based on Regional Strategies and Serving National Policies
Hunan is located in the core of central China and is an important node for inland opening in the "Yangtze River Economic Belt" and the "Belt and Road Initiative". Relying on its regional advantages, Hunan Convention & Exhibition Group focuses on national strategic needs and local advantageous industries to create a series of national - level benchmark exhibition projects, including:
Serving the overall situation of national opening - up: China - Africa Economic and Trade Expo, Central China Investment and Trade Expo (CCITF);
Driving industrial upgrading: China Import and Export Fair, China International Food and Catering Expo;
Activating regional cultural IP: Special events such as the "Taste of Hunan" Food Season, achieving a deep integration of policy guidance and industrial economy.
Government Endorsement and All - in - One Industrial Chain Strategic Layout
As a state - owned enterprise in Hunan Province, the group relies on policy preferences and financial support to build an ecological closed - loop in the convention and exhibition industry:
Supported by core assets: It owns 28.57% of the shares of Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center with government support, ensuring the ability to undertake large - scale exhibitions;
Collaborative public services: It efficiently integrates government resources such as transportation, security, and cultural tourism to provide one - stop government affairs support.
Full - chain Resource Integration and Service Capabilities
As a wholly - owned secondary subsidiary of Hunan Tourism Group, which focuses on the five core industries of "cultural tourism, hotel and catering, convention and exhibition economy, life services, and tourism commerce" (with more than 100 subsidiaries at all levels, including Sanxiang Group, Huatian Group (Stock Code: 000428), Shaoshan Tourism Group, Tourism Development Company, Xiangcheng Modern, Smart Tourism Technology, Guoling Fund, Asset Company, Hunan Embroidery Institute, and Arts and Crafts Institute), the Convention & Exhibition Group has the advantage of cross - field resource linkage:
Full - chain industry coverage: Its business covers the full - cycle services of "convention, exhibition, festival, performance, and competition", providing one - stop solutions from venue operation, event hosting, and organization to supporting services, cultural and tourism innovation, and cultural performances, reducing customer communication costs.
Backed by capital and brand: Relying on the resources of listed companies and industry leaders such as Sanxiang Group, Huatian Group (000428), and Shaoshan Tourism Group;
Professional service matrix: Integrating the capabilities of sectors such as Smart Tourism Technology (digitization), Guoling Fund (integration of industry and finance), and Hunan Embroidery Institute (cultural IP).
What are our expectations for the future development of Hunan Convention & Exhibition Group?
Hunan Convention & Exhibition Group hopes to rely on ICCA's global platform to achieve strategic goals such as further international leap, brand value enhancement, and industry standard alignment by connecting global resources, benchmarking international standards, and leveraging local advantages. It aims to promote Hunan's transformation from a large convention and exhibition province to a strong one, and achieve the dual upgrading of economic openness and urban brand.
Global brand exposure and enhancing urban influence: Through its ICCA membership, it conveys a "professional and trustworthy" brand image to global clients, attracting international organizers to choose Changsha as a conference destination. It can also include Hunan - characteristic exhibitions in ICCA's success case database and promote them globally through ICCA's official website, annual reports, and other channels.
Introducing international high - end conferences: Through ICCA's database and bidding support, it aims to secure more international association meetings and industry summits in Hunan, enhancing Changsha's competitiveness as an international conference destination. By leveraging ICCA's global network, it will strengthen the platform function of the China - Africa Economic and Trade Expo, attracting African governments and enterprises to participate and building a "China - Africa convention and exhibition hub".
Enhancing professional capabilities and cultivating international talents: Sending teams to participate in ICCA training and certification, and learning from ICCA's industry report "Global Association Meetings Market Report" to optimize Hunan Convention & Exhibition Group's investment promotion strategies and service processes, thus improving the overall professional level.