Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and Hangzhou Expo Group are to co-operate to host the International Smart Space Exhibition (ISSE), a dedicated trade fair held as part of the Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) that takes place 25-29 September 2025. The ISSE will be hosted at the Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Center and will mark Messe Frankfurt Group’s first exhibition in Hangzhou. It also represents an expansion of the company’s portfolio in the building technologies sector.

Leveraging its expertise in organising building technology exhibitions, the group aims to capitalise on Hangzhou’s potential in the digital economy and MICE sector to seize opportunities in the smart space market.

Stephan Buurma, Board member of Messe Frankfurt Group, said: “Messe Frankfurt has consistently focused on the development of the Yangtze River Delta, digitalisation and technological innovation in China. In particular, Hangzhou is renowned for its dynamic digital economy, ideal geographic location and strong government support for the MICE industry.

“GDTE is a world-class exhibition in China dedicated to advancing global digital trade. We anticipate that partnering with Hangzhou Expo Group will deepen our strategic alliances with local stakeholders, enhance our resources and capabilities, and expand our presence in China.”

Messe Frankfurt is one of the first international trade fair organisers to enter the Chinese market. Since launching its first show in Hong Kong, China, in the late 1980s, the group has hosted exhibitions across various sectors in the region. Its building technology fairs in China, including the upcoming ISSE, take place in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou.

Hangzhou’s vibrant atmosphere for science and innovation has fostered many prominent technology companies, including the internet giant Alibaba Group and emerging firms such as the AI start-up DeepSeek. Meanwhile, Hangzhou is leveraging its strengths and collaborating with several innovative technology companies to launch the ‘Hangzhou City Brain 3.0’ initiative. This plan positions the city as an intelligent platform aimed at creating a new framework for smart city development and effective governance of urban public spaces.

All these achievements stem from Zhejiang Province’s initiative in 2014 to prioritise an internet-centred information economy. A series of financial subsidies and standardised measures were introduced to promote the local digital economy, laying a solid foundation for its development. In 2024, the added value of Hangzhou’s core digital economy industry exceeded $86bn, representing a year-on-year growth of 7.1% and accounting for 28.8% of the city’s GDP.

In recent years, the city, which is the capital of Zhejiang Province, has significantly expanded its high-speed rail and aviation networks and established the Hangzhou Expo Group, now driving innovation in the exhibition industry.

Source: www.exhibitionworld.co.uk