Coex, a prominent exhibition and convention center located in Seoul, South Korea, stands as a shining example of innovation and excellence in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. In recent years, Coex has redefined its mission, focusing on connecting and providing experiential value through industry exchanges and the integration of AI. This forward-thinking approach has propelled Coex to the forefront of the MICE industry, making it a platform that drives the activation and future growth of this sector.

A Remarkable Year of Recovery

The year 2023 marked a significant milestone for Coex, as it played a pivotal role in the recovery of the MICE industry. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Coex hosted 27 domestic exhibitions and 9 international exhibitions, achieving an annual revenue exceeding 1 trillion KRW. This remarkable feat surpassed the pre-pandemic revenue levels of 2019, showcasing Coex’s resilience and adaptability.
Notably, the InterBattery exhibition held in March emerged as one of the largest secondary battery industry events in South Korea, with participation from over 470 companies, including global top-three battery manufacturers. The event attracted an unprecedented 60,000 visitors, setting a new attendance record. In June, Coex ventured into the international arena by hosting “InterBattery Europe” in Germany, facilitating the entry of Korean battery companies into the European market. Furthermore, September saw the simultaneous hosting of the KiAF SEOUL and the world’s second-largest art fair, Frieze, drawing more than 10,000 international visitors to Coex. Finally, in November, Coex hosted Food Week, the largest food exhibition in the latter half of the year, attracting over 50,000 attendees. These events not only expanded Coex’s physical footprint but also demonstrated its commitment to globalization and diversified content for sustainable growth.

Coex’s Vision for 2024

As we step into 2024, Coex is poised to expand its influence in the MICE industry through strategic expansion. The unveiling of “THE PLATZ” a versatile event hall on the second floor of the Coex exhibition hall, in January signifies a renewed commitment to host a wide array of events, including exhibitions, seminars, conferences, and banquets.
Mr. Dong-ki Lee, President of Coex, stated, “We are expanding the exhibition and conference spaces at Coex to meet the growing demand from companies and organizations seeking to host events here.” He further elaborated, “Currently, Coex offers a total exhibition and conference space of 48,000 square meters, and we plan to increase this by 2,500 square meters in 2024 and an additional 2,500 square meters by 2025 to cater to the needs of our customers.”
Moreover, Coex is gearing up to operate the Coex Magok Convention Center, located in Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, scheduled to open in November of this year. Leveraging its experience in managing the massive Trade Center in Gangnam, Coex aims to brand the convention center in Magok as “Coex Magok LaWest” and transform the area into a hub for MICE activities in western Seoul.
The Coex Magok LaWest boasts a total floor area of 20,000 square meters, featuring an exhibition hall capable of accommodating up to 400 booths and conference rooms capable of hosting up to 13,000 attendees. With excellent transportation connectivity and a fully-equipped MICE infrastructure, this facility is poised to alleviate the shortage of MICE spaces in Seoul effectively.
Within a 10-kilometer radius of Magok, numerous industrial complexes have been established, making it an ideal environment for hosting B2B exhibitions. Additionally, the region boasts a resident population of approximately 6.88 million people within a 10-kilometer radius, providing an optimal setting for B2C exhibitions.
Anticipated to achieve a 60% operational rate during its first year, Coex Magok is already receiving inquiries for conference room rentals, further solidifying its role in the MICE landscape.

Elevating Sustainability with “good plan”

Coex is at the forefront of promoting sustainability within the MICE industry, and it has introduced the “good plan” a premium eco-friendly event service. This service encompasses various eco-friendly elements, including the “AV DROP,” a rapid and eco-friendly assembly stage system, “Best Systems” lighting booths, and the “vomo” eco-friendly booth package exclusively used by the world’s second-largest art fair, Art Basel.
The AV DROP system has been utilized in approximately 160 events to create diverse spaces such as planning zones, seminar areas, VIP lounges, and photo zones for events like AWS Summit Seoul, Coffee Expo All That Travel, and Food Week.
“good plan” aligns with the current focus of the MICE industry on sustainability, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), and carbon neutrality. Coex is the third organization in South Korea to join the “Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge,” a global MICE industry initiative that aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, aligning with the Paris Agreement and United Nations Climate Change Convention resolutions.
Furthermore, Coex has entered into an agreement for “ESG Cooperation in Seoul Global Exhibitions” with Exporum and KOREA E&EX INC., solidifying its commitment to practicing ESG principles and contributing to the Seoul city’s efforts in this direction.

Shifting Focus: From Innovation to Sustainability

While innovation was a central theme in the convention industry pre-pandemic, the industry is now shifting its focus towards sustainability, ESG, and carbon neutrality. Mr. Lee Dong-gi, President of Coex, highlighted the industry’s commitment to environmentally friendly practices, stating, “Convention centers and large exhibition organizers worldwide are grappling with ways to reduce energy consumption, cut carbon emissions, and minimize waste and food waste generated after events, all in response to the climate crisis.”
Coex’s dedication to this ethos ensures it will continue to discover and expand eco-friendly service offerings that align with the spirit of the times.

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