South Korea Unveils 2030 Plan to Build Global Exhibition Hubs

South Korea has unveiled a plan to turn its exhibition industry into a stronger platform for exports, industrial innovation and regional growth, with expanded public funding and a push to create globally competitive flagship events by 2030.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced the Exhibition Industry Development Roadmap 2030 at an economic ministers’ meeting on Wednesday. The government aims to develop at least five leading national and regional exhibitions and raise the share of large events combining industry and culture to 20 percent by the end of the decade.

Under the plan, government support for the exhibition sector is set to rise to 11.7 billion won next year from 7 billion won this year. The proposal includes 3.5 billion won in new funding for regional flagship exhibitions. Beginning in 2027, authorities plan to select four or five regional events and provide each with 500 million won to 1 billion won over periods of two to four years. A midterm review in 2029 will determine which events receive further assistance for overseas roadshows and international networking.

A central part of the strategy is to combine exhibitions in industries where South Korea has established strengths. Five events covering electronics, semiconductors, robotics, machinery and industrial artificial intelligence are being linked under the K-Connect AI banner. Once the third exhibition hall at KINTEX is completed in November 2028, the government plans to further integrate their schedules, venues and branding while expanding international conferences.

The roadmap also seeks to pair consumer-goods exhibitions with Korean cultural attractions. Food and cosmetics events could be combined with culinary programs, K-pop performances and local festivals, with the goal of converting overseas buyer interest into both export orders and tourism demand.

Regional policy will focus on exhibitions tied to local industrial strengths, including shipbuilding and marine industries in Busan, mobility in Daegu, energy in Gwangju and cosmetics in Osong. The government also plans to form regional alliances involving exhibition organizers, companies and small businesses, while considering designated exhibition-industry development zones around qualifying venues.

Overseas expansion is another pillar. Authorities intend to help Korean exhibition operators pursue venue construction and management projects in markets including India, the Middle East and Central Asia. Support for Korean-branded events abroad will include market research, buyer matching and export vouchers.

The government will also establish an Exhibition Industry Development Committee and pursue legal revisions, while supporting artificial-intelligence tools, environmentally friendly facilities and professional training. The broader objective is to make exhibitions a practical bridge between Korean companies, foreign buyers and regional economies as the country works toward one trillion dollars in annual exports.