Gyeonggi Province enhances status with global exhibition, anticipating increased interaction with US marine leisure industry 

◇ The Korea International Boat Show hosted by Gyeonggi Province has obtained Trade Fair Certification from the United States Department of Commerce. The photograph shows the opening ceremony of the Korea International Boat Show held last May. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Yoo Je-hoon

The Korea International Boat Show hosted by Gyeonggi Province has obtained Trade Fair Certification from the United States Department of Commerce (DOC).

Gyeonggi Province announced the certification on March 11, and explained that Trade Fair Certification indicates that the US government endorses this exhibition as a promising event recommended for companies within the US.

By obtaining this certification this year along with the International Exhibition Certificate from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in 2010, the Korea International Boat Show, which is the only Korean member of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and the International Federation of Boat Show Organizers (IFBSO) in Korea, has now secured the status of an international exhibition with strong public confidence.

Moreover, the acquisition of this certification is expected to secure more opportunities for Korean marine leisure companies to expand into the US market and acquire information.

DOC certifies only one or two exhibitions per country every year after reviewing a total of 25 items, such as audit reports by an accounting firm, official support from an international organization, the marketing plans of the host, and the history and size of the exhibition.

Once certified, DOC will actively promote an arrangement to cooperate with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). It will also distribute information on the Korea International Boat Show and Korean marine leisure companies to the companies within the US to encourage participation, and provide full support from extensive marketing to follow-up management.

“We’ll utilize this certification to increase business opportunities within the US marine leisure industry and invite leading companies and buyers to Korea,” said Yoo Yeon-sik, head of the Integrated Service Team of Gyeonggi Province’s Service Industry Division.

The Korea International Boat Show, Korea’s representative marine leisure industry exhibition, has positioned itself among Asia’s top three boat shows.

Held at KINTEX in Goyang City last year, the Korea International Boat Show has emerged as a business-centered marine industry exhibition. With an exhibition area of 28,500 ㎡, it has grown 3.4 times compared to 8400 ㎡ in its first year, 2008, and 2.4 times compared to 11,600 ㎡ in 2012. This is the third largest event of its kind in Asia following comparable shows in Dubai and Shanghai.

The 2013 Korea International Boat Show saw a total of 305 companies from 33 countries operate 1,232 booths, as well as participation by global buyers representing 141 companies from 29 countries. There were 107 yachts and boats displayed at the 2013 show, which was nearly twice the number (60) of the 2012 event. The 2013 show also received 33,398 visitors, almost double the number of visitors of the show in 2012. 

◇ Letter of certification from the US Department of Commerce ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News

ⓒGyeonggi G-News | Chun Kyeong-nam ckn0403@kg21.net 

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201403111102217055C052&s_code=C052