New convention centre shifts Shanghai’s MICE epicentre towards Hongqiao

THE National Exhibition and Convention Centre, Shanghai (NECC), which commenced trial operation last October and completed its second-phase construction officially this January, has ramped up the MICE prospects of Hongqiao district where it is located.

Equivalent to thrice the size of Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) in Pudong district, NECC stands as the largest single-block building as well as integrated exhibition complex worldwide, offering 400,000m2 of indoor exhibition space and 100,000m2 outdoors.

The organising committee of the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show announced that the exhibition will convene for the first time at NECC rather than SNIEC, signifying the shift of Shanghai’s MICE hub from Pudong to Hongqiao district.

Shanghai Exhibition vice president, Gao Wenwei, remarked that NECC symbolises the dawn of a new era for Shanghai’s exhibition industry, as the new complex marks the largest exhibition venue globally while also adding to the city’s showcase of iconic architecture.

One of the first exhibitions NECC hosted during its trial operation was the four-day China International Auto Parts Expo, which drew 1500 exhibitors and 130,000 visitors.

Despite teething problems during its four-month trial operation, NECC attracted renowned exhibitions from China and abroad, including Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, China International Fashion Fair, Yarn Expo, and Italian textiles and accessories exhibition Milano Unica.

Works are in progress for NECC’s various peripheral services. Many hoteliers in Hongqiao look forward to the venue’s completion as this would greatly boost demand for commercial services, offices, hotels and residential accommodation.

Translated by Ong Yanchun from the original TTG China e-Daily, March 10, 2015 article

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