WORK is under way on a new 60,000m2 convention facility adjacent to Chubu Centrair International Airport, which serves the city of Nagoya.
The project was first announced in February and the facility is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2019, according to Masahide Akita, assistant director of the Aichi Prefectural Government’s Exhibitions Site Section.
Nagoya already has a major convention and exhibitions facility, the Portmessse International Exhibition Hall, in the harbour district but the local government hopes the new conventions space will complement that site.
Akita told TTGmice e-Weekly: “We believe that the convenient location – just a five-minute walk from the airport – will be attractive to (event) organisers.”
Some 35 billion yen (US$326 million) is being invested in the project which, when completed, will have six halls, each of 10,000m2, as well as extensive parking space. The island is also linked to the mainland by road and a rail link.
The airport island already has three hotels, although they primarily cater to business travellers with an overnight transit. A new hotel designed for longer stays will be built next to the new exhibition hall, with an expected completion in 2020.
Akita added that the local government hopes Nagoya and the prefecture of Akita – located between Tokyo and Osaka – can emerge as a unique alternative destination for conventions and exhibitions.
