The 16th China Expo Forum for International Cooperation (CEFCO) will be held in Liyuan Villa, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region from Jan 9 to 11.

The forum is co-hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), as well as the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO).

More than 500 representatives from nearly 20 countries and regions such as China, the United States, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, India, as well as Hong Kong and Macao will explore the broad prospects and huge potential of the exhibitions industry at the forum.

The forum will have three plenary sessions and 11 group meetings, exploring practical issues like marketing, new technology applications, overseas market opportunities, venue management, and exhibition training. Experts, scholars, and leaders of the exhibitions industry will also be invited to share cutting-edge ideas through interpretations, high-end dialogues, case analysis, round-table discussions, and special forums.

During the forum, CCPIT will sign a memorandum of cooperation with the International Conference and Convention Association (ICCA) to strengthen international cooperation and talent training in the conferences industry. CCPIT will release the China Exhibition Economy Development Report 2019, summarizing the development status of China's exhibitions industry in 2020. It will also promote the relevant institutions in Guangxi, as well as domestic and international exhibition companies to reach 28 cooperation agreements.

In addition, Guangxi MICE companies and institutions will sign 26 cooperation projects with well-known domestic exhibition companies and convention associations, as well as enterprises of the US, Britain, Germany, France, and Vietnam.

Exhibition industry in Nanning develops well. The photo shows the Nanning International Exhibition and Convention Center. [Photo by Huang Weiye/Nanning Daily]