Chengdu becoming top site for major exposition

Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Exposition signed agreements with several renowned exhibition organizers, including Reed Sinopharm Exhibitions Ltd, China International Exhibitions Ltd and German company Koelnmesse (China) Ltd, to bring in more exposition projects, on Feb 26.

Ten major exhibition programs will be held in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, this year, according to the bureau.

"Through enhanced cooperation with exhibition organizers, we are introducing more and more major international exposition projects to Chengdu," said Mu Tao, director of the bureau.

The bureau recently signed a strategic agreement with Greater China for Reed Exhibitions, the world's largest exhibition company, to strengthen cooperation in fields covering information sharing, publicity and promotion, exhibitions and personnel training.

"The signing of so many major projects demonstrates that Chengdu has won the hearts of a larger number of exhibition organizers," said Mu.

"Chengdu is becoming a top priority for major international exposition projects to be held in western China." he said.

Liu Xiuhua, deputy secretary general of Education Forum for Asia, said she used to be worried to working with the government. "But here in Chengdu we feel at home."

"The government departments work with us during the event as if they were departments of our own." she said.

Song Wei, a representative from Reed Sinopharm Exhibitions Ltd, said the city provides excellent service in both hardware and software. "When we communicate with the government or exhibition centers in other cities, we usually share the good experience from Chengdu." Song said.

According to Mu, Chengdu held 503 major events last year, including 105 international conventions and 53 international exhibitions. This year, the number of international conventions and exhibitions is expected to increase.

Other new international events that will be staged in the city in 2014 include the X Games, the Michelin Challenge Bibendum, and the Ninth Conference on China-ASEAN People-to-People Friendship Organizations.