Korea’s Trade Exhibitions - Representation and More

Source: KOSIS & Association of Korean Exhibition Industries compiled by IRC Consulting

Trade shows and exhibitions have long been a popular way to develop business prospects in Korea. Since 2002, with 248 exhibitions, the number of exhibitions in the domestic market grew to 650 in 2019, although this number dropped to 288 after the onset of COVID-19. This was mainly because the pandemic restricted events where large numbers of people gather, such as exhibitions and trade shows.

Exhibitions are regaining attention as the government is now easing current social distancing protocols, downgrading COVID-19 from its top tier of most infectious diseases to the second tier and allowing fully vaccinated foreign visitors to enter the country with no quarantine restrictions, although some preparations are still required.

In a survey conducted by AKEI in 2020, 57% of Korea’s private exhibition centers have plans to expand and 33.3% of the public managed exhibitions are thinking of an expansion. We believe this data shows that the number of exhibitions will grow.

Korea has 17 exhibition centers scattered across all regions.

Source: Association of Korean Exhibition Industry, complied by IRC Consulting.

Although there are 17 exhibition centers in total, most of the exhibition and trade show industry’s revenue is focused on Seoul. The same AKEI survey noted that 48% of the overall industry’s revenue is created within the Seoul region. Considering that over 50% of Korea’s population lives in the Seoul metropolitan area this makes sense.

There are various exhibitions in Korea that attract large numbers of both Korean companies and companies from all over the world. The five industries in Korea that we forecast to have the most showcase and growth opportunities in the near term are medical devices, F&B, cosmetics, EV and IT. We have listed several of the largest exhibitions based on the number of visitors and exhibitors from overseas.

1. Korea International Medical & Hospital Equipment Show (KIMES)
   1. Largest medical device trade show
   2. COEX
   3. Mar 23-26, 2023
   4. http://www.kimes.kr/eng/
   5. (2020) 1,208 exhibitors and over 52,000 visitors

2. COEX Food Week
   1. One of the largest F&B shows in Korea
   2. COEX
   3. Nov 2-5, 2022
   4. https://coexfoodweek.com/
   5. (2021) 834 exhibitors 35,021 visitors

3. Cosmetic Ingredients & Technology Exhibition
   1. Largest exhibition regarding the cosmetics industry
   2. KINTEX
   3. Jun 14-17, 2022
   4. https://www.cikorea.org/eng/
   5. (2021) 632 exhibitors 33,881 visitors

4. EV Trend Korea / Inter Battery
   1. Largest EV & EV Battery trade show
   2. COEX
   3. Mar 16-18, 2023
   4. https://evtrendkorea.co.kr/english/  
   5. (2022) 307 exhibitors 38,082 visitors

5. World IT Show
   1. One of the largest IT shows in Korea
   2. COEX
   3. Apr 20-22, 2022
   4. https://www.worlditshow.co.kr/eng/main/main.php
   5. (2021) 150 exhibitors 32,406 visitors

6. Smart Tech Korea
   1. Exhibition for Smart tech, Big data, AI, Retail Tech, Robotics
   2. COEX
   3. Jun 8-10, 2022
   4. http://www.smarttechshow.co.kr/en_main/
   5. (2021) 196 exhibitions 36,196 visitors

7. Cosmobeauty Seoul
   1. One of the largest cosmetics exhibitions
   2. COEX
   3. May 26-28, 2022
   4. https://cosmobeautyseoul.com/fairDash.do?hl=ENG
   5. (2021) 204 exhibitors 12,485 visitors
       
8. Import Goods Fair 
   1. A showcase focused on consumer goods for the Korean import market. 
   2. COEX
   3. June 23-25, 2022
   4. http://www.igf.co.kr/en/exhibition/greeting
   5. (2019) 183 exhibitors 16,271 visitors

While it has become easier to enter Korea, some obstacles may still remain when to traveling to Korea for an exhibition or trade show. Should in-person attendance at a Korea show fail to be a cost-effective option for your business, IRC Consulting provides customized Exhibition Representation services. As a business development consultancy company with over 40 years of experience supporting foreign companies to understand the domestic market and assist in their entry, IRC is able to go beyond the standard “booth presence” focus and provide the total market development process, from building contacts before the show to following up on inquiries afterward.

For more information download our exhibition representation service introduction presentation attachment.