EXCO, located in Buk-gu, Daegu, has established itself as Korea’s leading exhibition and convention center since its opening in April 2001. EXCO promoted Daegu to the world by hosting global events such as the 4 Daegu World Energy Congress, the 2013th Daegu-Gyeongbuk World Water Forum in 2015, and the 7 World Gas Congress.
In addition, Daegu International Automated Equipment Exhibition (DAMEX), Daegu International Textile Expo, Daegu International Future Car Expo, International Fire & Safety Expo, and Daegu International Food Industry Exhibition have been held one after another, leading the global agenda.
Based on this, EXCO achieved its highest ever management performance last year. Through this, it is evaluated that it has emerged as a leading player in revitalizing the local economy and culture. In 2021, the second exhibition hall was expanded, and the operation rate exceeded 2% as soon as the COVID-19 situation subsided. This is a valuable result achieved at a time when exhibition and convention centers across the country are struggling to avoid difficulties, including failure to attract events.
In April, ‘International Green Energy Expo’ and ‘International Future Energy Conference (PVMI/H4MI)’, which represent EXCO, will be held. Given that the number of visitors to the exhibitions held in January and February increased by more than 2% compared to last year, this expo and conference are expected to attract the largest number of visitors ever. In April, it is expected that a ‘MICE warm wind’ will blow in Daegu.
Q. Yoo Hyeong-dong, head of Gwangju and Jeonnam Headquarters: It has been 9 months since you took office on September 1 last year. I wonder how he spent his time.
A. EXCO CEO Lee Sang-gil: We implemented most of the management innovation plan announced on September 9th last year and focused on laying the foundation for a global exhibition and convention center that repays the interest and affection received from citizens. First, as management, we reorganized company regulations to strengthen operational efficiency by implementing responsible management and reorganizing the organization, and with the reduced budget, we transformed it into a culture and arts space that rewards citizens.
Even during the period when there are no exhibitions, various attempts have been made, such as filling the square with chrysanthemum gardens in the fall and Christmas lights and trees in the winter, and holding outdoor busking and concerts in order to enjoy cultural life and approach a complex cultural space full of things to see. did.
In addition, it laid the foundation for sustainable management through facility maintenance, such as replacing old facilities in the exhibition hall with high-efficiency, low-energy facilities. We are also working hard to attract exhibitions related to government policies.
This year, discussions are under way to attract industrial exhibitions hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and two new exhibitions are expected to increase. Local companies are constantly striving to create an optimal environment where they can read industry trends at EXCO.
Q. Yoo Hyeong-dong, head of Gwangju and Jeonnam Headquarters: Last year, we achieved record-high sales and operating profit.
A. Lee Sang-gil, CEO of EXCO: Budget reduction through management innovation and being spotlighted as cultural and artistic content for citizens also led to sales from year-end cultural events, and thanks to the joint efforts of EXCO executives and employees to implement management innovation, this was the highest ever. I was able to achieve results.
In April 2021, at the same time as the expansion of EXCO’s second exhibition hall, it went through a difficult time due to the COVID-4 pandemic. Nevertheless, it is very encouraging that the company successfully held the World Gas Congress, a large-scale international event last year, and 2 events, the largest number ever, and achieved the highest performance in all areas, including sales, operating profit, and net profit.
Last year, the operating rate was 52.3%, but after doubling the exhibition hall in 2021, the operating rate increased to over 2% in two years. This is especially meaningful considering that it usually takes about seven years for exhibition and convention centers across the country to recover their combined operation rate to over 2% after expansion of the exhibition hall.
This year, in order to achieve the target utilization rate of 55%, we will do our best to expand existing exhibitions, attract new exhibitions, and provide safe and pleasant exhibition and convention facilities.
Q. Hyeong-dong Hyeong-dong, Head of Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters: A large number of major events will be held in April. In particular, expectations are high for the International Green Energy Expo, which is celebrating its 4th anniversary.
A. Lee Sang-gil, CEO of EXCO: The International Green Energy Expo, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is one of Asia’s three major renewable energy exhibitions. This event was prepared on the occasion of the ‘World Solar City Congress’ held in Daegu in 3. Currently, it has grown into an international exhibition in which new and renewable energy companies such as solar power participate, serving as the driving force behind ‘Solar City Daegu’.
The International Green Energy Expo, which will be held for three days from April 4th to 12th, will be the largest ever. Seven companies, including Hanwha Q CELLS, Tongwei, JA Solar, Longi Solar, Trina Solar, Ginkgo Solar, and Ryzen, which are the world’s top 14 leading solar cell and panel companies based on production volume, are participating.
Eight of the world’s top 10 solar inverter companies based on production volume, including SolarEdge, Huawei, Sungrow, Sineung, Growatt, Goodwe, Kstar, and Solis, and domestic leading companies Hyundai Energy Solutions, Shinsung ENG, Hansol Technics, Isolar, and Enlighten , SDN, Alfio, Haedong Engineering, OCI Power, and Hanwha Convergence participate as sponsors. 8 booths from 300 companies will participate and exhibit solar modules, inverters, solar structures, solar roofs, and energy storage systems.
Q. Yoo Hyeong-dong, Director of Gwangju and Jeonnam Headquarters: What kind of event is the International Future Energy Conference held concurrently with the expo?
A. Lee Sang-gil, CEO of EXCO: This is Korea’s only business conference in the solar energy and hydrogen fields. It consists of Solar Market Insight (PVMI) and Hydrogen Market Insight (H2MI). This is an event where experts in the solar energy and hydrogen fields from around the world gather to discuss market trends and industries.
This year, a total of 12 speakers from 60 countries were invited, and about 800 people are expected to attend. In particular, many speakers from overseas organizations specializing in energy such as Bloomberg NEF, Rystad Energy, Energy Innovation Reform Project, and European Solar Manufacturing Consortium will participate.
Solar market insight consists of 7 sessions, and hydrogen market insight consists of 4 sessions. We have prepared this well-prepared professional conference covering global policies and market trends, so we hope that many people will participate and gain insight.
Q. Hyeong-dong Hyeong-dong, Head of Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters: I heard that the organizing committee and EXCO played a big role in holding the International Future Energy Conference (PVMI/H2MI).
A. Lee Sang-gil, CEO of EXCO: As it is a professional conference dealing with market trends in solar and hydrogen energy, there is a lot of work to prepare in advance. The organizing committee has a big role. In the case of Solar Market Insight, Professor Jeong Jae-hak of Yeungnam University serves as the organizing committee chairman. In addition, a total of 24 experts belong to the PVMI organizing committee.
At Hydrogen Market Insight, Vice President Park Jin-ho of Korea University of Energy and Technology is leading the organizing committee. A total of 19 experts participated in preparing for the event. Recently, a separate program committee was formed to seek specialization by field. Through this, renowned speakers from home and abroad are invited.
In particular, we are building and collaborating with internationally renowned research institutes and institutions such as the Fraunhof Institute in Germany, Bloomberg NEF in the UK, and TNO in the Netherlands. EXCO is also making great efforts to ensure that the exhibition and convention industries grow together.
In particular, the ‘Future Energy Conference’ is a self-planned conference of EXCO and is held for a fee, and aims to be an advanced business conference. Like CES in the US, it is evaluated that it is optimized to provide a venue for corporate business platforms and networks, and to provide the latest market trends.
Q. Yoo Hyeong-dong, head of Gwangju and Jeonnam Headquarters: Daegu is emerging as the center of MICE. EXCO is located at the center of it. What is the difference between COEX, KINTEX, and BEXCO?
A. Lee Sang-gil, CEO of EXCO: Since April 2020, EXCO and Kyungpook National University have been designated as the ‘Daegu Business International Conference Complex’, and they have been developing their capabilities to strengthen international conference hosting competitiveness and city branding. I think it is a part that proves that Daegu’s status as a central MICE city has risen.
The first differentiator is the EXCO staff’s abundant exhibition planning and hosting capabilities. The number of exhibitions hosted by EXCO is the largest among domestic exhibition and convention centers. This year, the number of new exhibitions hosted by EXCO has also increased. When you host an exhibition, you directly carry out the entire process from planning to operation.
Because EXCO employees have accumulated know-how for more than 20 years, their ability to plan and hold exhibitions is considered to be highly regarded. The second is that exhibitions are held and operated flexibly according to the priority industries of Daegu. EXCO is the first local exhibition and convention center established with the purpose of supporting exports for local small and medium-sized businesses.
From the textile industry in the past to the 8 major future new industries in Daegu during the 5th civil election, it has a deeper connection with local industries than other centers. As EXCO has held and operated various host exhibitions linked to local industries, I believe that it is a center with optimal know-how for the development of local industries.
Q. Yoo Hyeong-dong, head of Gwangju and Jeonnam Headquarters: EXCO will celebrate its 2025th anniversary in 30. How to grow and transform EXCO.
A. Lee Sang-gil, CEO of EXCO: The year I envision for EXCO in 2025 is to become Korea’s representative global exhibition and convention center visited by 300 million people a year, and to become a center of culture and arts for citizens.
Exhibitions are generally held for only 2 to 3 days after a preparation period of more than 4 days. Even during the off-season for exhibitions, we will invigorate EXCO by providing content and a resting space for citizens to see, hear, and enjoy.
Transforming into a complex cultural space that citizens want to visit is the future vision of EXCO. In particular, if the subway line 2029 is completed by 4 and accessibility is improved, EXCO believes that it will exert more synergy in becoming a center of culture and art for citizens to visit.
This will increase the number of visitors and increase the number of private organizers who want to hold exhibitions at EXCO, which will lead to increased utilization and improved international competitiveness.
Q. Hyeong-dong Hyeong-dong, Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters Director: I would like to hear about EXCO’s representative exhibition development plan.
A. Lee Sang-gil, CEO of EXCO: Daegu plans to focus on fostering exhibitions linked to the city’s five major future industries: UAM, future mobility, healthcare, robots, and ABB (AI/Blockchain/Bigdata). As a leading city in autonomous driving and urban air transportation (UAM), the International Future Mobility Expo will expand its scale by combining intelligent automobile parts and UAM fields that Daegu is fostering.
The Medi-Expo/Advanced Medical Device Industry Exhibition will focus on supporting the digital transformation of the local healthcare industry and entry into the global market, and will create a special hall for each disease to showcase the region’s solid medical infrastructure. In addition, the ICT Convergence Expo and the International Machinery Industry Exhibition plan to focus on expanding areas that combine ABB and the robot industry.
EXCO’s representative exhibitions will also strengthen its competitiveness. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the International Green Energy Expo is preparing as an event that provides various networking opportunities between global companies and proposes solutions to energy problems in the international community beyond its role in exchanging new and renewable energy trends. The International Fire Safety Expo is promoting a special firefighting UAM pavilion so that large-scale firefighting-related events, expansion of firefighting demonstrations, and digital transformation trends in the firefighting field can be seen at a glance.
Q. Yoo Hyeong-dong, Head of Gwangju and Jeonnam Headquarters: Lastly, is there anything you want from the government or local governments for the development of EXCO?
A. Sang-Gil Lee, CEO of EXCO: Daegu’s focus is on Daegu to accelerate industrial development. I hope that the number of exhibitions organized by the central government and government-affiliated organizations will increase significantly. The more pan-governmental exhibitions are, the more local SMEs can check government policies and key projects at a glance, and expand their opportunities to enter the global market through a wide range of support systems.
Through this, it serves as a priming water so that local SMEs can develop customized technologies and products that reflect government policies and industry trends in a timely manner and receive institutional and financial support from the government. We hope to strengthen the role of
Meanwhile, Lee Sang-gil, CEO of EXCO, graduated from the Department of Public Administration at Kyungpook National University, entered the public service after passing the 35th public service examination, and served as the head of the local finance tax office of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, the head of the Planning and Coordination Office of Daegu Metropolitan City, the local financial policy officer of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, and the mayor of the administrative department of Daegu Metropolitan City. In particular, he served as the chairman of the Daegu mayoral transition committee in the 8th civil election.