On January 10th, the 19th China Exhibition Economy International Cooperation Forum (CEFCO2024) with the theme of "Open Sharing, Connecting the World" opened in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. Exhibition industry professionals from multiple countries and regions gathered in the heroic city of Nanchang to offer insightful insights, gather more consensus, and contribute wisdom to promote international exhibition industry cooperation and development.

This forum is jointly hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the International Exhibition Industry Association (UFI), the International Exhibition and Project Association (IAEE), the Independent Exhibitors Association (SISO), and the International Conference and Conference Association (ICCA), and is hosted by the China International Chamber of Commerce, the Jiangxi Provincial Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the Nanchang Municipal People's Government.

At the opening ceremony, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and four international organizers jointly released the "Initiative on Opening up, Cooperation, and Win Win Development of the Exhibition Industry", calling on the international exhibition industry to strengthen communication and deepen cooperation, and play an important role in the exhibition industry.

The forum will have two plenary meetings and eight group meetings, The attending guests focused on "Maintaining the Stability and Resilience of the Global Industry and Supply Chain - Observations and Contributions of the Exhibition Industry", "Review and Prospects of Major Exhibition Markets in the World", "Sharing New Opportunities for RCEP Regional Cooperation", "Inviting Visitors in the Digital Marketing Environment", "China's Exhibition Going Global", "Exhibition Industry Data Assets", "Artificial Intelligence Empowering the Development of the Exhibition Industry", "Exhibition Theme Innovation and Scale Growth", and "Exhibition Business Environment" "Standardization of exhibitions and events" and other hot topics, through high-end dialogue, case analysis and other forms, issue authoritative and professional voices, and contribute wisdom to the development of the exhibition industry.

Li Qingshuang, Vice President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, pointed out that the exhibition industry connects production and consumption, supply and demand, and is an important platform for building a modern market system and an open economic system. It is also an important link in maintaining the stability and smoothness of the global industrial and supply chains. In 2023, China's exhibition economy showed a recovery growth trend, and the domestic exhibition market quickly recovered from the impact of the epidemic. The exhibition industry should adhere to the concept of open sharing and innovative development, deepen international exchanges and cooperation, jointly maintain the stability and smoothness of the global industrial and supply chains, and promote the recovery and growth of the world economy.

Li Qingshuang stated that Jiangxi has abundant industrial resources, superior transportation location, and strong policy support, providing broad space for the development of the exhibition industry. In recent years, the exhibition industry in Jiangxi Province has developed rapidly and its economic scale has continued to grow. Many well-known exhibitions have settled one after another, and the exhibition industry has become an important force driving industrial development and consumption upgrading in Jiangxi. Nanchang focuses on building a leading area for the high-quality development of Jiangxi's exhibition industry, and has hosted major events such as the World VR Industry Conference and the China Aviation Industry Conference at a high level. It has become one of the most favored exhibition destinations in China.

McGold, Executive Vice President of the International Exhibition Industry Association, stated that the exhibition industry plays an important role in promoting international cooperation, economic development, and enriching culture. Exhibitions are a powerful platform for countries and businesses to showcase their achievements, share knowledge, and establish important partnerships.

This forum will be held offline, with nearly 600 representatives from over 10 countries and regions including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Australia, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Canada, and Macau, China attending the event.

The China Exhibition Economy International Cooperation Forum (CEFCO) was founded by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in 2005 and is the only national and international professional exhibition forum approved by the State Council. The 20th Forum will be held in Tianjin in January 2025.