Shanghai’s MICE industry: a chronicle of growth and global standing
Print Edition
THE construction of the Shanghai International Conference Center in 1999 marked a turning point for the landscape of the city’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry.
With the 99 Fortune Global Forum choosing Shanghai as its host city, the local government swiftly responded by constructing the center in Lujiazui within an astonishing 11 months. This move not only addressed the absence of a dedicated venue for international conferences but also laid the groundwork for Shanghai to emerge as a key player in the global events arena.
Over the past 25 years, the center has stood as a testament to the remarkable growth of China’s MICE industry.
“Since 1999, the Shanghai International Conference Center has borne witness to the development of China’s exhibition economy. Through hosting various conferences and exhibitions, it has played a significant role in driving economic development,” Zhou Hong, former director of the conference department at the Shanghai International Convention Center Oriental Riverside Hotel, told Shanghai Daily.
Fast forward to 2001, when Shanghai took center stage by hosting the prestigious APEC Summit at the center. Against the backdrop of global political shifts, the summit served as a platform for world leaders to convene and discuss pressing issues. The following years saw a string of high-profile events hosted at the center, including the Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting in 2002 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in 2006, cementing Shanghai’s reputation as an international conference destination.
As Shanghai navigated through the early 2000s, the exhibition industry witnessed unprecedented growth and innovation. The hosting of the Shanghai World Expo in 2010 and the CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia) in 2014 underscored the city’s ability to orchestrate world-class events on a grand scale. The inaugural China International Import Expo in 2018 further solidified Shanghai’s position as a global exhibition capital, attracting participants and dignitaries from around the world.
China’s speed has also accelerated development of the exhibition industry. Over the past 25 years, Shanghai has rapidly built numerous international exhibition landmarks. From the opening of the New International Expo Center in 2001 to the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center in 2010 and the completion of the National Exhibition and Convention Center — the main venue for the China International Import Expo and one of China’s largest exhibition halls — Shanghai’s hardware facilities have reached world-class level in the exhibition industry.
In 2024, Shanghai’s exhibition industry shows no signs of slowing down. With the unveiling of the “Shanghai Action Plan for Promoting High-Quality Development of the Exhibition Economy and Building an International Exhibition Center (2023-2025),” the city reaffirms its commitment to advancing the exhibition sector to new heights. This strategic roadmap underscores Shanghai’s ambition to enhance its international standing and further elevate the city as a premier destination for global events.
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