The Ministry of Economic Affairs invested NTD 3 billion into Kaohsiung Exhibition Center (KEC) which held its official grand opening on April 14th, 2014. KEC was built with a mission to enhance the international presence of Kaohsiung and become the new focal point for MICE business in the Asia- Pacific. The grand opening of KEC took place concurrently with the opening of the first show held at KEC: the “Taiwan International Fastener Show”. Over 600 political leaders from Taiwan and abroad participated in the opening. The guests were Mr. Wu Den-Yih, Vice President of the Republic of China, Madame Chen Chu, Mayor of Kaohsiung City, Mr. Chang Chia- Juch, Minister of Economic Affairs, Mr. Chang Chun-Fu, Director General of the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Mr. Michael Tu, President of Kaohsiung Exhibition Center Corporation, Mr. Chih-Kang Wang, Chairman of TAITRA, Mr. Joe Chen, Chairman of Taiwan Industrial Fasteners Institute, and Mr. Mark Cochrane, regional manager Asia for UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. KEC is operated by Interplan Group (formerly Uniplan Taiwan) with an operation rights contract for 12.5 years under the name of Kaohsiung Exhibition Center Corporation (KECC). Michael Tu, the Chairman of KEC stated that having been in this industry for over 30 years, it is crucial for the MICE industry to reach international standards in order to benefit the economy of Kaohsiung City in general. KECC invested NTD 250 million in additional facilities to help KEC become the premier event venue in Taiwan. In total economic activity generated, KEC brought in NTD3 billion in revenue in 2014. KECC has assembled a strong team of international and local experts in the MICE industry including Mr. Robert Campbell, Vice President from the Uniplan headquarters Germany, as well as Frank Huang, the former CEO of Nangang Exhibition Center as General Manager. With these experts, KEC is sure to soon reach an international standard and main its quality of service over time. As the first waterfront multifunctional exhibition and convention center in Taiwan, the waterfront plaza and exhibition halls extend seamlessly from indoor to outdoor, which enables a maximum of creativity for any type of events. KEC’s exhibition grounds can hold 1,500 standard booths: the largest venue in South Taiwan. KEC’s conference rooms can accommodate 4,000 guests at once. Its Central Boulevard, designed featuring natural lighting and artistic objects hanging from the roof, has shops to satisfy visitors all year round, and is now up and running. By providing business and leisure opportunities to the local industries, Kaohsiung Exhibition Center will enhance the growth of the service industry as well as working towards becoming a new landmark for Kaohsiung City, creating a platform for trade, technology, culture and fashion in Taiwan.
