This month we get to know better National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin)
What was your motivation to join ICCA?
NCEC (Tianjin) is a national flagship platform for exhibition and conference in north China, and we are looking forward to connecting with associations from all over the world. By joining ICCA, we hope that more and more international conferences will be held here in the future.
With years of experience in managing exhibition halls and advanced technologies in the industry, NCEC (Tianjin) will be dedicated to build the world’s top smart venue and provide one-stop intelligent services to meet the practical demands of domestic and foreign customers. With the co-guidance of the Ministry of Commerce and Tianjin Municipal People’s Government, NCEC (Tianjin) will constantly help to improve the business environment and build a platform of “cooperation, communication and win-win” for many enterprises with its top international exhibition halls, first-class exhibition facilities and quality services.
Tell us your story. How did National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin) get started?
Co-developed by the Ministry of Commerce and Tianjin Municipal People’s Government, National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin) project is a landmark project to implement President Xi Jinping’s important requirements on “Three Efforts” for Tianjin’s work and the strategy of coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. Aiming to phase out Beijing’s non-capital functions, usher in a new hub in the global exhibition industry and optimize the strategic layout of China’s exhibition industry, NCEC (Tianjin) is deemed as an essential platform to achieve these goals.
In accordance with the Cooperation Framework Agreement between the Ministry of Commerce and Tianjin Municipal People’s Government, a joint venture co-invested by China Foreign Trade Center (Group) and Tianjin Infrastructure Investment Group was set up for the construction and operation of NCEC (Tianjin), namely NCEC (Tianjin), Co., Ltd. It has a registered capital of 4 billion RMB and is responsible for investment & construction, exhibition venue operation and exhibition services among others.
What sets National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin) apart?
NCEC (Tianjin) is to serve convention and exhibition, heavy industry and light industry, tangible goods trade and service trade. With its base in Bohai Economic Rim, the center strives to cast regional influence in east and north Asia and become a sustainable and world class exhibition complex with global perspective. NCEC (Tianjin) is dedicated to be the ideal venue for both domestic and international conventions and exhibitions.
NCEC (Tianjin) has a large size and a regular shape. It integrates such functions as exhibition, conference, commerce, office and hotel, with a total floor area of about 1,380,000 m2, of which indoor exhibition space covers 400,000 m2 and 150,000 m2 outdoor. After completion, NCEC (Tianjin) will become the largest venue in the north, a world-leading new generation of green, intelligent and innovative national exhibition complex with excellent experience.
What is your favourite success story from your organisation?
The first exhibition of China Building Science Conference & Green Intelligent Building Expo (GIB), was successfully held in NCEC (Tianjin) from June 24 to 27, 2021. With an exhibition area of 210,000 m2, this four-day expo brought together nearly 500 exhibitors and a total of 220,000 exhibitors and visitors participated in the event. Meanwhile, 172 forums were held and 267 letters of intent were signed.
Based on the theme of “Green Buildings for a Better Life” and “Green Buildings help to achieve the peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality goal”, the expo is positioned to “promote green and smart buildings, help to achieve the peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality goal”. And it is regarded as a demonstrative and landmark project of China’s convention and exhibition industry to serve the new “dual circulation” development pattern. As a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, this event opened up a new chapter of the 14th Five-Year Plan. Thanks to its ability to integrate the resources of the whole industry chain and all channels, this expo gave incentive to the green and high-quality development of the construction industry, thus helping achieve the carbon peak and neutrality goals.
What can we expect to see from National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin) in the future?
The China (Tianjin) Auto Show was held in NCEC (Tianjin) from September 29 to October 5, which attracted 633,000 visitors. Until now, 14 exhibitions will be held in 2021, including the 105th China Food & Drinks Fair with a total exhibition area of 200,000 m2 held from October 19 to 21, etc. It is estimated that the exhibition scale in 2021 will be about 800,000 m2.
In 2022, it has been confirmed that at least 6 exhibitions will be held in NCEC (Tianjin), including the Auto Maintenance & Repair Expo moved from Beijing to Tianjin, the China Industrial Exposition, 2022, the 2022 China Rural Energy Low Carbon Development Conference and the 15th Rural Energy and Clean Heating Industry Expo moved from Hebei to Tianjin, the China Machine Tool Exhibition, the Home China Expo, etc.
What is an industry challenge your organisation is facing currently?
Due to the impact of COVID-19, the exhibition has been postponed and the exhibition area has been reduced. The rental price has no advantage over some local pavilions. Surrounding supporting facilities and the venue have not completed yet, leading to organizers in a wait-and-see state.
Although facing these problems, the supporting area and the second phase of the venue are under construction. The supporting area will be finished in May 2022 and the second phase of the venue will be finished at the end of 2022. We believe that the success of holding exhibitions in 2021 and 2022 will attract more organizers and exhibitors coming to NCEC (Tianjin).