Incheon Global Fair and Festival
By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger
Last year, I learned about 789–the August 7, 2009 kick-off date for the Incheon Global Fair and Festival. With many activities centered in and around Songdo IBD, I follow the event. This Korea Times article notes some of the fair’s planning.
With nearly 100 days left before the kick off of the Global Fair and Festival 2009, host city Incheon’s preparations for the 80-day business fair for corporations and cities around the world have been shifted into high gear.
Songdo International City, in the west of the coastal city, and its adjacent area, is shaping up for the event, which aims at envisioning futuristic urban models, digital technologies, green energy and urban lifestyles. It will start Aug. 7 and continue until Oct. 25.
Mayor Ahn Sang-soo said, “Incheon has had few opportunities to promote itself elsewhere. This event will lay the groundwork for the city to grow into one of the 10 global cities one must visit.”
The organizing committee for the festival said construction of every venue will be completed by May. “All preparations are on track,” a committee official said.
Despite the ongoing economic slump, the committee said it’s attracting investment and raising funds as planned.
Incheon aims to draw more than seven million people from home and abroad ㅡ nearly one third of the combined population of Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and Incheon and the committee has run various promotional campaigns in cooperation with civic groups and companies.
The festival will become a venue for global firms, scholars, policymakers and urban planners to gather and discuss important issues regarding urbanization, futurism and the environment.
Incheon will continue to expand publicity for the fair via the Internet, TV and other media. “We’ll step up the promotional campaign,” the official said. “World-class cultural events will take place, various leisure activities will be available in an environmentally friendly manner and executives of multinational corporations will flock here. It will be a festival you won’t want to miss.”
The committee expects admission ticket sales to exceed 40 billion won ($33 million).
The festival will appeal to foreign tourists as the city is upgrading accommodation, transport, roads and other infrastructure for them to enjoy the festival more comfortably. “We aim to draw half a million foreign tourists, particularly from Japan, China, and the United States,” the official said.
It has formed business partnerships with travel agencies at home and abroad to attract foreign travelers and developed travel programs with itineraries including the venue.
The committee is pinning its hope on a weaker won against the dollar and other major currencies, which will help attract foreign tourists.
The city also aims to use the festival as a springboard to attract more investment into the free economic zones in the districts of Songdo, Cheongna and Yeongjong. During the festival, foreign urban planners and policymakers will be able to learn more about Incheon’s development models. The city itself will be an exhibition site, the official said.
[…] Songdo IBD CityTalk created an interesting post today on 789: Incheon Global Fair and FestivalHere’s a short outlineIncheon Global Fair and Festival By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger Last year, I learned about 789–the August 7, 2009 kick-off date for the Incheon Global Fair and Festival. With many activities centered in and around Songdo IBD, I follow the event. This Korea Times article notes some of the fair’s planning. With nearly 100 days left before the kick off of the Global Fair and Festival 2009, host city Incheon’s preparations for the 80-day business fair for […]
Korea Times
Pop idol group Girls’ Generation have been appointed goodwill ambassadors for the Global Fair and Festival Incheon 2009, Sunday.
The nine members of the group had an autograph event for 100 children from child-headed households. The participating children were chosen through an event at the fair’s Web site in May celebrating the month of the family.
Girls’ Generation debuted in 2007 with their first single “Into the New World” and their latest hit was “Gee.” The members also appear in dramas and variety shows individually ― Tae-yeon, the leader, hosts a radio show, Yoon-a starred in “Cinderella Man,” which ended last week, and Tiffany and Yu-ri emcee a music program on Saturday afternoons.
After the event, Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo and the fair’s Chairman Chin Dae-je appointed the group as goodwill ambassadors for the Incheon Fair.
The group also presented fair tickets to the children and announced their future plans.
The Incheon Fair is a comprehensive festival with a variety of exhibitions and events. The fair will begin August 7 and continue for 80 days with the theme of “Lightening Tomorrow” at Songdo International City, part of three Free Economic Zones in the city.
The fair has five main subjects ― Development of New City, Environment and Energy, Advanced Technology, Tourism and Leisure, and Culture and Art.
Korea Times
Organizers of the Global Fair and Festival 2009 Incheon held an event at Songdo Convensia in Songdo International City, Saturday. They are looking to attract 1 million visitors to the festival slated to run from August 7 through October 25. Some 1,000 businessmen and private cram school runners attended the event.
The participants looked around various venues where the main attractions of the festival will take place. “This event was planned to network with businessmen in order to attract as many visitors as possible,” the organizer said.
“Incheon is now growing as a city leading the economy of Korea. Many businessmen will participate in the coming festival, which is to propose visions for future cities,” said Moon Sang-ju, president of the Federation of Pr