In Daegu, South Korea’s third-largest metropolis, the bold FIX2024 exhibition is reimagining the area’s industrial future. Held from October twenty third to October twenty sixth, FIX2024 showcases Daegu’s dedication to transitioning its established manufacturing industries towards rising sectors like mobility, AI, large information, and robotics. Gyu-sik “Kenneth” Kim, Govt Vice President of EXCO, shared insights into the motivations behind FIX2024, its impression thus far, and plans for future enhancements.
What’s the concept behind FIX2024, and what makes it distinctive amongst tech exhibitions?
FIX2024 is Daegu’s proactive step towards securing its place in a fast-evolving, tech-driven world. Though Daegu has a robust legacy in automotive and textiles, change is required. Mayor Hong Jun-pyo, upon taking workplace in 2022, dedicated to restructuring Daegu’s conventional manufacturing to concentrate on 5 key industries: mobility, AI, large information, robotics, and digital healthcare. FIX2024 isn’t solely a mirrored image of our previous progress however a stepping stone for the long run. Our goal is to speed up development by fostering competitors and collaboration amongst corporations in these fields.
Who’re the exhibitors at FIX2024, and the way does the exhibition curate the enterprise worth chain?
We have now 463 exhibitors, spanning start-ups to world companies, all collaborating to construct an built-in tech ecosystem.
For instance, AI and large information drive developments in robotics and mobility – these applied sciences want one another to progress. Begin-ups introduce contemporary concepts, mid-sized corporations scale them, and huge corporations elevate them to the worldwide stage, creating a whole worth chain.
Moreover, funding assist facilities and enterprise capitalists are right here to supply funding and regulatory help, facilitating fast development for collaborating corporations.
How would you consider the success of FIX2024 by the third day?
The turnout has exceeded our expectations, with sturdy attendance from each native and worldwide members. We’ve had over 200 worldwide patrons interact in one-on-one export consultations, leading to 914 discussions valued at roughly $1.15 billion.
Moreover, vital offers totaling $160 million in contracts and $50 million in buying agreements have been secured with main corporations like Samsung and Hyundai. Past the numbers, FIX2024 has sparked significant networking throughout the worth chain, laying a basis for future collaborations.
What have been the challenges in organising FIX2024, and the way do you propose to reinforce it sooner or later?
FIX2024 marks the beginning of a bigger journey, however there are areas for enchancment. At present, solely 10% of our exhibitors are worldwide, and we goal to extend this to 30%. FIX2024 is meant as a world occasion, not only a native one, and requires sturdy worldwide publicity.
This 12 months, we have been lucky to have AVING and 11 worldwide media retailers cowl the occasion, however our objective is to increase this additional subsequent 12 months.
To this finish, we’ll be forming a council of specialists to evaluation the exhibition totally and strategise for FIX2025. We’re dedicated to a extra refined and impactful present subsequent 12 months, with even broader worldwide participation.
Kenneth Kim wrapped up the dialog with an invite to the worldwide tech neighborhood. “FIX2024 is just the start of our journey. We’re dedicated to creating Daegu a world tech hub, and we’re excited to welcome extra companions and media subsequent 12 months. FIX2025 will likely be much more transformative. We’re constructing one thing particular right here in Daegu.”
With FIX2024 concluding, Daegu has firmly set its sights on the long run. This mix of conventional business and new-age know-how positions Daegu to grow to be a rising world participant within the tech sector, starting with the success of FIX2024.
