A Global MICE Platform Delivering Customer Value — EXCO
 EXCO was established in 1995 and opened in 2001. It is the first exhibition and convention center built outside the Seoul metropolitan area in South Korea. Since opening, EXCO has continued to grow. The West Wing was expanded in 2011, and the East Wing was added in 2021. In 2026, EXCO will celebrate its 31st anniversary as it takes a new step forward as a global exhibition and convention center.
EXCO works to create greater value for its customers by supporting the international growth of major exhibitions. It also upgrades its eco-friendly energy facilities inside the venue. Additionally, EXCO collaborates with the local community to develop cultural programs and operates safety systems that involve citizen participation.
By March 2027, new conference rooms will be added on the 3rd floor of the East Wing. Currently, EXCO operates 25 meeting rooms (including partitioned spaces) in the West Wing, including a multipurpose hall. With up to 8 additional meeting rooms in the East Wing, EXCO will be able to host a higher volume of conferences of different sizes and formats. This expansion will increase EXCO’s ability to host international conferences.

EXCO’s Challenge toward the AX/DX Era
EXCO plans and operates strategic exhibitions linked to Daegu’s future industries. These include future mobility, healthcare, robotics, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and big data. Through these exhibitions, EXCO supports real industrial growth. At the same time, it contributes to the local economy by connecting companies, buyers, and new markets.
To strengthen expertise, EXCO has reorganized its exhibition team structure into three categories.
● AX (AI Transformation) focuses on AI and digital innovation.
● NX (Next Growth) supports future growth industries.
● CX (Consumer Experience) highlights consumer-focused products and services. This new structure improves both exhibition quality and industry connections.

Major Exhibitions Organized by EXCO
International Green Energy Expo, one of the largest renewable energy exhibitions in Asia. It will be held for the 23rd time in 2026.
International Fire & Safety Expo Korea, Korea’s largest fire and safety exhibition. It attracts key buyers from the Middle East and Southeast Asia ranking as one of Asia’s top three exhibitions in this field.
FIX 2026(Future Innovation tech eXpo 2026), A large-scale technology exhibition covering mobility, robotics, and startups. It integrates DIFA (Daegu International Future Auto&Mobility Expo), ICT Convergence Expo Korea, and the Daegu Robot Expo.
Although 2026 marks its third edition, it has attracted over 100,000 visitors every year.
Medi Expo Korea and KOADMEX (Korea International Advanced Digital Medical Equipment & Medicine Expo), These exhibitions are held together to build a strong business platform for the healthcare industry.
K-FOOD EXPO, now in its 27th edition, is preparing to launch a new overseas edition in Bangkok this year.
Daegu Machinery Expo and International Parts & Advanced Materials Expo, co-hosted to support and strengthen regional strategic industries.
In addition, EXCO continues to expand exhibitions that reflect global business trends and corporate needs.

A Platform Connected with the Local Community and Citizens
EXCO is also evolving into a community-focused platform aiming to grow beyond being just a venue for viewing exhibitions. Instead, EXCO is becoming a space where citizens can participate in and experience events directly. This approach helps connect exhibitions with everyday life.
Popular events such as Daegu Flower Fairs, Daegu Christmas Fair, pet shows, and Baby & Kids Fairs attract many visitors each year. These exhibitions offer hands-on programs and interactive content. They are now recognized as popular regional lifestyle exhibitions, welcoming families, pet owners, and young parents alike.

Building an Industry-Specific Conference Legacy
In August 2024, Daegu launched a dedicated organization for international conferences, the MICE Bureau Office, marking a major step toward becoming a global convention city. In line with this initiative, EXCO has strengthened its international conference bidding and marketing efforts. It is also systematically promoting region-focused conventions and revitalizing the International Convention Complex District.
This move follows the path taken by Gyeongju, which has built a strong international conference legacy after hosting APEC 2025. Similarly, Daegu is being recognized for pursuing a strategy to enhance its urban competitiveness through international conferences.
Daegu has already built a legacy in the water sector. Its experience includes hosting the World Water Forum in 2015, the IWRA World Water Congress in 2021, IWIC in 2024, and securing the World Filtration Congress in 2028. These events show how Daegu has grown related industries and professional infrastructure alongside its conference portfolio.
These accumulated achievements demonstrate that international conferences are more than one-time events. Looking ahead, Daegu plans to continue using international conferences as a key growth engine, further strengthening its position as a global convention city.

A Sustainable Exhibition and Convention Center
EXCO is dedicated to the development of a sustainable MICE industry. EXCO operates as a green convention center equipped with renewable energy systems, including solar power generation, geothermal energy systems, and solar thermal hot water facilities.
EXCO is also an eco-friendly building that produces part of its annual electricity through on-site solar power generation. ESG principles are applied in daily operations as well. In 2024, EXCO significantly reduced printed promotional materials such as posters and invitation cards, by decreasing the total volume from approximately 1.6 million copies to 1.18 million. This effort further strengthened environmentally responsible exhibition operations.

In addition, EXCO launched a MICE Alliance consisting of around 60 organizations, including hotels, travel agencies, PCOs, and event companies. Through this alliance, EXCO is enhancing cooperation to attract international conferences and operate large-scale events based on ESG standards. EXCO has shared ESG-based operational guidelines for major international conferences with local industry partners.
These guidelines include low-carbon operations, the use of eco-friendly materials, and waste reduction measures. By doing so, EXCO is helping expand ESG-driven MICE operational models across the region.

Annual Event Schedule

 
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EXCO: A Global Hub for Exhibitions and Conventions

EXCO, Korea’s first regional exhibition and convention center opened in 2001 following its incorporation in 1995, has continuously expanded its facilities to enhance its capabilities in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry. The expansion of Exhibition Hall 1 in 2011 and the opening of Exhibition Hall 2 in 2021 have played pivotal roles in strengthening its operational efficiency and promoting the MICE industry.
With its state-of-the-art facilities, services, and global marketing strategies, EXCO has hosted major international events such as the 22nd World Energy Congress (2013), the 7th World Water Forum (2015), the International Society for Education through Art Conference (2017), and the 10th IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience (2019). In May 2022, it successfully held the World Gas Conference 2022, also known as the Olympics of the gas industry, reinforcing its reputation as a global exhibition and convention hub.
As it approaches its 30th anniversary in 2025, EXCO aims to advance further as a global leader through several key initiatives. The organization is focused on internationalizing its key exhibitions while simultaneously strengthening its eco-friendly energy systems throughout its exhibition spaces. EXCO is also dedicated to creating cultural content in partnership with the local community, and developing customer-centric systems powered by data analytics.

Powering Northeast Asia’s Economy through World-Class MICE Leadership

EXCO contributes to the local economy by organizing specialized exhibitions focused on Daegu’s future industries, including AI, Big Data, Blockchain (ABB), Urban Air Mobility (UAM), healthcare, robotics, and semiconductors.
The International Green Energy Expo, one of Asia’s top three and one of the world’s top-10 renewable energy exhibitions, will celebrate its 22nd edition in 2025. The International Fire & Safety Expo Korea, the largest exhibition in Korea’s firefighting and safety sector, has become a globally recognized event attracting numerous international visitors.
FIX2025 (Future Innovation tech eXpo 2025) is a comprehensive exhibition encompassing future technologies such as mobility, robotics, blockchain, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and advanced materials. In 2024, it unified three key expos—the Daegu International Future Auto & Mobility Expo (DIFA), ICT Convergence Expo Korea, and Daegu Robot Expo—to showcase cutting-edge innovation. For 2025, the expo will expand its focus on digital healthcare, semiconductors, and airport logistics to rival global ICT fairs such as the CES in the United States and IFA in Germany.
Additionally, Medi Expo Korea, which incorporates the Korea International Advanced Medical Equipment & Medicine Expo (KOAMEX), serves as a business platform for the healthcare industry. Other exhibitions, such as the Daegu Machinery Expo (DAMEX) and K-FOOD EXPO, provide insights into key industrial trends. Notably, EXCO is preparing to host a specialized airport and aviation exhibition to coincide with the completion of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Unified New Airport in 2030.

Elevating MICE Excellence through Global Conference Mastery

Daegu City established Korea’s first convention bureau in 2003 to facilitate international conference hosting, followed by the creation of an International Conference Complex Zone in 2021. Starting in 2024, EXCO will oversee these functions, operating a cutting-edge system to attract and manage conventions.
Notable international events include the World Biomaterials Congress and the International Conference on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, each drawing over 4,000 participants. Upcoming events through 2028 include the FIRA RoboWorld Cup and the World Engineering Education Forum (2025), as well as the Asia-Pacific Conference on Biomedical Engineering and the IEEE International Augmented Reality Conference (2026).

Enriching MICE Events with Authentic Cultural Experiences

EXCO leverages Daegu’s cultural assets to offer B2C events and promote tourism. For example, during FIX2024, participants enjoyed wellness tours to Sayuwon, a local meditation and healing site, alongside medical tourism programs. With Daegu’s Dongseong-ro being designated a tourism zone, visitors can enjoy various accommodations, shopping, and K-beauty experiences.
EXCO’s proximity to cultural landmarks such as Palgongsan National Park, nearby UNESO World Heritage Sites, and cities like Andong, Gyeongju, and Cheongsong—all within an hour’s reach—provides diverse opportunities for participants to explore Korea’s Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist heritage.

Leading the Way in Sustainable Event Innovation

EXCO is a green convention center equipped with renewable energy systems, including solar power, geothermal energy, and solar water heating. In 2023, it replaced all its lighting with LEDs and installed high-efficiency boilers, thereby increasing energy efficiency by 10%. Annually, EXCO generates 76,650 kWh of electricity through its solar power system, solidifying its reputation as an eco-friendly landmark in Daegu.
Furthermore, EXCO adheres to global standards in the MICE sector, strengthening its position as an environmentally friendly exhibition and convention center. It also strives to fulfill its social responsibilities as a public institution and lead management innovation through accountable leadership and governance.
Pyo Chul-soo, President & CEO of EXCO, emphasized, “Beyond exhibitions and conventions, EXCO aims to create diverse, citizen-friendly content, becoming Daegu’s cultural and tourism landmark while enhancing Korea’s global competitiveness as a premier exhibition and convention center.”
For more information, visit EXCO’s official website.

 Annual Event Schedule

 
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