Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center (SWECC) to Open in Mid-2019

March 20, 2018

Initiated by the International Organizers Network, a joint activity of AEO and SISO, jwc has organized a visit of the construction site of Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center, along with a workshop addressing the most important topics for the future operation of the venue.

Participants from major international organizers (Clarion, Comexposium, Informa, EJ Krause, Fiera Milano, Tarsus, Reed, UBM) attended along with representatives of the Government of Shenzhen, the operating companies Zhaohua Int’l Exhibition Operation Co.Ltd. and SMG and representatives of the investors CMSK and OCT

jwc is advising the Government of Shenzhen and the investors on master planning, functional design and operations since 2015.

Subjects of the workshop discussions in Shenzhen included topics like project timeline, venue layout, venue characteristics, surrounding facilities and infrastructure, theme protection, pricing policies and protection of IP rights.

Organizers were impressed by progress of the project, with one participant stating: “I have never seen such a huge and well-organized worksite in all my life! For sure it will be an impressive venue when it’s finished.”

The venue will offer 400,000 square meters of first class exhibition space, divided into 18 halls of 20,000 sq. m.each and one hall of about 50,000 sq. m.

Each hall will offer immediately adjacent conference and meeting facilities as well as a central conference center with a capacity for 7500 pax.

The venue will have three main entrances in addition each hall will have a separate entrance facility. The halls will be connected by a central corridor with two levels, the upper level offering fast connections throughout the venue with people movers, while the lower level connects directly into the halls.

Currently about 30,000 people are working on the construction site. Construction of the venue will be complete in June 2019, with a soft opening taking place in the second half of that year.

The venue will accept bookings from mid-2018. Picture of the construction site.

Chris Skeith, CEO of the AEO, said, “The ION is a strategic alliance between members of AEO & SISO who are ‘independent organisers’ operating around the world. In a short space of time, the network has gained significant interest, and we are very pleased to have held our first delegation visit less than a year since launch.”

“Network members welcomed the visit to Shenzhen, to hear and see the opportunity the new development will bring. Seeing the construction site, meeting officials, and seeking clarification on process and practice will help everyone develop and plan for the future. The group was very impressed with jwc’s contribution and that jwc had brought together senior representatives from key organizations in Shenzhen; participants very much look forward to a continued dialogue to help shape best practice at this brand new venue,” He added. “The ION are working on a number of initiatives seeking to open up opportunities and drive standards globally. We hope this successful delegation is the first of many such beneficial visits.”

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Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.