1. Success of Summer Universiade
2003
During this sport event that took place from 21
to 31 August 2003, EXCO was the venue of International
Press Center and fencing-match to be spotlighted
by news media from all over the world. 2,925 journalists
and media staffs, members of FISU headquarter and
organizing committee applauded EXCO's hospitality
and efficiency in running the facilities and supporting
overseas participants.
Specifically North Korea's joining in the game put
additional excitement to the game. Japanese televisions
shot Universiade news by hours reported at EXCO,
leaving impressive image of EXCO in the viewers'
mind.
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2. Achieved 69% occupancy
rate
EXCO's occupancy rate reached 69% in 2003, exceeding
year goal of 61%, only three years after its opening.
This record-breaking rate is regarded as a breakthrough
in history of Korea convention & exhibition
industry. This rate is made possible by EXCO's aggressive
marketing that lured organizers, exhibitors, and
visitors. The most valuable asset that EXCO earned
from this encouraging result is self-confidence
that it could overcome unfavorable circumstances
and achieve desirable results.
3. EXCO's facility expansion
proposed
As EXCO's occupancy rate reached over 60%, some
local media proposed expansion of EXCO's exhibition
& convention space. They argued that expanded
facilities will draw more organizers and exhibitors
in the future, further boosting local economy. Increasing
occupancy and booking rate will make it more difficult
in near future. EXCO considers enlarging its facilities
as a long-term goal, for now.
4. Daegu Convention Bureau
established.
Daegu Convention & Visitors Bureau was established
last April as a legal person, in response to calls
from local government and private sectors, for the
first time in the country. In the Bureau participating
parties, the City, EXCO, and other members are beginning
to work, complementing each others, efficiently
and effectively in implementing city marketing.
5. Seoul
office opened.
For more aggressive marketing in Seoul and surrounding
areas, EXCO opened its Seoul office in 2003. Primary
task of Seoul office is attracting more conventions
and exhibitions to EXCO. Right after it was opened,
Seoul office successfully brought in the Golf Course
Equipment & Resource Exhibition organized by Golf
Course Superintendents Association of Korea, demonstrating
promising future activities.
6. DIOPS
expects UFI approval.
EXCO underwent The Global Association of the Exhibition
Industry (UFI) inspection during the Daegu International
Optical Show (DIOPS) 2003, as a part of the process
for getting approval. Since the portion of overseas
participants in DIOPS is above the UFI minimum demand
for approval, the show certainly will get the approval
this year. If DIOPS gets the approval, it will be
the eighth exhibition approved by UFI in the country
and the first that takes place out of Seoul.
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7. Joint-Marketing
with Andong city took-off.
EXCO reached an agreement with Andong City in Kyeongbuk
Province for joint-marketing last June. EXCO and Andong
City, home of Korean Confucious tradition and an internationally
recognized tourist city, will cooperate in attracting
domestic and overseas tourists and businessmen. EXCO
is offering visitors Andong City tour, as well as
other thousand years old historical sites representing
traditional Korean cultures such as Gyeong-ju (Buddhist
culture), and Go-ryeong (Gaya culture), all of which
are in one hour's drive from Daegu.
8. EXCO mallstores completely
filled up
Every one of EXCO mall store is rented out in March
2003, leaving no store vacant. EXCO mall, located
in two basement floors, is best known as the unprecedented
high-end furniture mall in southern Korea, providing
customers a spacious and comfortable shopping circumstance.
Some buys furniture here, others comes to learn unique
space allocation and display techniques.
9. Convention
rooms increased.
EXCO increased its convention rooms from 11 to 14
in 2003, in response to calls for additional convention
space. The frequency of convention that took place
in EXCO increased year after year. In 2002 the frequency
of convention doubled to 525 from previous year's
256. The number jumped up to 600 in 2003, no one day
passing without a convention taking place in EXCO.
10. KORTEX
show settles in EXCO
As the 15th Korea International Textile Machinery
Exhibition (KORTEX 2004) is decided to be held in
EXCO, best textile (PID) and textile-machinery shows
in the country ended up to be showcased in EXCO this
year. With KORTEX added, EXCO is being recognized
as the first place to go for textile and textile machinery
exhibitions.
