Zhengzhou has established itself as a major exhibition destination among second-tier cities in central China, since the opening of the Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre (ZZICEC) in 2006.
Last year, ZZICEC hosted 61 exhibitions and 170 conventions, with a total of 1.6 million visitors from within China and overseas. This represents a 24.5 per cent increase in the number of exhibitions and 24.1 per cent increase in conventions from 2010.
Damion Wan, general manager of ZZICEC, Zhengzhou, says it was chosen to host prestigious national exhibitions because it has the strongest economy in Henan province. "Zhengzhou has a lot of commercial and trading enterprises, and its commodity distribution markets serve a wide area. It boosts comprehensive transport and communications networks, excellent logistics and well-developed business services."
Wan says a positive response is ensuring more events are returning to ZZICEC, along with an increase in local branded exhibitions and exhibition companies.
He says Henan's status as a major agriculture area has resulted in Zhengzhou becoming a preferred location for hosting exhibitions for textiles, agricultural machinery, fertilisers, processed meats, electrical equipment, pharmaceutical equipment, motor parts, wines and spirits, food products and consumer goods.
ZZICEC, which is in the central business district of Zhengzhou, is about 20 minutes drive from Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport and 15 to 20 minutes from the city's main railway station. It will be one of the major stations when the city's subway opens next year.