Taiwan’s business events industry is charging ahead, showcasing a robust post-pandemic recovery, bolstered by the addition of two new conference venues set to open in the coming months.
One of the most anticipated venues is Messe Taoyuan. Slated to open on October 29, Messe Taoyuan will be the largest international conference facility in Taoyuan, and is the first venue in Taiwan to integrate a shopping mall with conference and exhibition spaces. It will be operated by Interplan Group, which is also the operator of Kaohsiung Exhibition Center.
Messe Taoyuan will feature 10,168m2 of exhibition space (up to 600 booths), a ballroom for up to 5,000 guests, and nine meeting rooms totalling 11,467m2 of meeting space.
Lily Su, co-project leader, Meet Taiwan, shared: “The World Congress of Junior Chamber International will be held at Messe Taoyuan from October 29 to November 2, 2024, and this will bring more international attention to Taiwan’s business events industry.”
The World Congress of Junior Chamber International will be the venue’s inaugural event, and is set to attract approximately 4,000 international participants from 120 countries.
Su added that Messe Taoyuan boasts a strategic advantage due to its prime location near Taoyuan International Airport and Hsinchu Science Park. The science park is home to over 400 high-tech companies in sectors such as semiconductors, computers, telecommunications, and optoelectronics, offering excellent proximity to key industry hubs.
Another major development is the Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center (TICEC). Slated for completion in 4Q2025, TICEC will be able to house 2,360 exhibition booths, and feature an outdoor plaza, and a large international conference hall with 2,200 seats.
Su shared: “Central Taiwan is known for its precision machinery industry and rich industrial and tourism resources, and this venue will further enhance the city’s economic competitiveness and international reputation.”
Building upon the success of last year’s Meet Taiwan Open Arms campaign, this year’s initiative, the Taiwan Business Events Corridor, invites international delegates to discover the diverse business events offerings in Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung; all reachable by high-speed rail.
In 2023, Taiwan’s business events sector bounced back to 98 per cent of pre-Covid levels. The destination hosted 382 international conferences and 186 exhibitions, which drew 135,000 participants and generated an economic impact of US$430 million.
This momentum carried into 2024, with 1H2024 registering 239 international conferences and exhibitions, marking a 9.6 per cent year-on-year increase, to date. Meet Taiwan expects this upward trajectory to continue into 2025.
