Overview of Shanghai's Exhibition Industry in 2018
In 2018, the first China International Import Expo was successfully held, and Shanghai's exhibition industry continued to grow steadily. According to statistics from the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Industries Association, Shanghai hosted 994 international and domestic exhibitions, conferences and various events, with a total area of 19.0631 million square meters. The number of events increased by 18.05 percent year on year, mainly because of an increase in conferences and events, while total area increased by 8.04 percent.
At this growth rate, the scale target for Shanghai's exhibition industry under the 13th Five-Year Plan will be achieved ahead of schedule.
Shanghai's exhibition industry development in 2018 was as follows:
I. Exhibitions, Conferences and Events
1. Conferences and Events
In 2018, the nine major venues further diversified their development and hosted 268 conferences and events, with a total area of 1.9394 million square meters, almost double the conference and event area in 2017. The number and area accounted for 26.96 percent and 10.17 percent respectively of Shanghai's total exhibition industry volume.
2. Exhibitions
In 2018, Shanghai held 726 exhibition projects, with a total exhibition area of 17.1237 million square meters. Among them, 292 were international exhibition projects, with a total exhibition area of 13.4718 million square meters, accounting for 40.22 percent of the number and 78.67 percent of the area. There were 434 domestic exhibition projects, with a total exhibition area of 3.6519 million square meters, accounting for 59.78 percent of the number and 21.33 percent of the area.
The nine major venues hosted 503 exhibition projects, with a total exhibition area of 16.0918 million square meters. The number decreased by 10.34 percent from the previous year, while the area increased by 4.19 percent.
II. Venues
In 2018, Shanghai's major venues remained largely unchanged. After a slight decrease in 2017, the total still stood at about 750,000 square meters. It is worth noting that temporary halls at Shanghai New International Expo Center were expected to be put into use in 2019.
III. Successful Holding of the China International Import Expo
The world-renowned first China International Import Expo became an important platform for China's new round of opening up. The first expo attracted participation from 172 countries, regions and international organizations, more than 3,600 exhibiting enterprises, and over 400,000 domestic and overseas buyers for negotiation and procurement. The exhibition area reached 300,000 square meters. It was the home-country diplomatic event with the broadest country participation and largest scale in China in 2018. In both scale and level, it was a major achievement in the history of international expositions and promoted China's high-quality economic development and a new stage of opening up in the new era.
IV. Development Features of Shanghai's Exhibition Industry in 2018
1. Industry scale grew steadily, and the 13th Five-Year Plan scale target is expected to be achieved ahead of schedule.
From 2016 to 2018, the total scale of Shanghai's exhibition industry grew from 16.048 million square meters to 19.0631 million square meters, with an average annual growth rate of 9 percent.
In 2019, as long as the growth rate exceeds 5 percent, the 20 million square meter target under the 13th Five-Year Plan can be achieved ahead of schedule. If a conservative 5 percent annual growth rate is assumed for both 2019 and 2020, the total scale of Shanghai's exhibition industry will exceed 21 million square meters by the end of 2020.
2. The trend toward larger exhibitions became clear, and large venues were more favored by exhibitions.
In 2018, the 503 exhibitions hosted by the nine major venues had an average exhibition area of about 32,000 square meters, up 16.36 percent from 27,500 square meters in the previous year. There were 42 exhibitions of more than 100,000 square meters, with a total exhibition area of 8.0114 million square meters. Large exhibitions of more than 100,000 square meters already accounted for nearly 50 percent of the total area.
Shanghai New International Expo Center, National Exhibition and Convention Center, and Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, the three large venues in Shanghai, hosted 278 exhibitions in 2018, with a total exhibition area of 14.3016 million square meters, accounting for 88.88 percent of the total exhibition area of the nine major venues.
Shanghai New International Expo Center and Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center had the highest rental rates, both above 50 percent. National Exhibition and Convention Center recorded the fastest growth in rented area, increasing by 690,400 square meters, a growth rate of 14.16 percent.
3. In addition to hosting exhibitions, venues diversified, and the share of conferences and events increased.
In 2018, each venue further pursued differentiated operations, with diversified development across exhibitions, conferences and events.
National Exhibition and Convention Center hosted 66 conferences and events in 2018, totaling 899,600 square meters, making it the venue with the largest conference and event area.
Some small and medium-sized venues saw their exhibition area decline, but their conference and event area increased significantly. Among them, Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Center of International Sourcing had the highest share of conference and event area, hosting 62 events throughout the year with a total area of 270,100 square meters, accounting for 57.8 percent of its total area. The share of conference and event area at Shanghai Automobile Exhibition Center also exceeded 50 percent.