Signal Toward a Global MICE City... Pohang International Exhibition Convention Center Founders' General Meeting and Inaugural Board Meeting Held

Song Nam-woon, Former Head of Management Division at KINTEX, Appointed as Inaugural CEO
Pohang City and Foundation Join Forces to Propel Pohang as a Global MICE Hub

On the 21st, Pohang City held the inaugural general meeting of promoters and the founding board meeting for the Pohang International Exhibition and Convention Center, which will play a pivotal role in fostering and developing the MICE industry.

Pohang International Exhibition and Convention Center General Assembly Held. Provided by Pohang City

At the meeting, Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang and the promoters attended to adopt the establishment charter, review and approve the articles of incorporation, business plan, and budget, and presented appointment letters to the inaugural executives, including one CEO, eight non-executive directors, and two non-executive auditors.

Song Nam-woon, appointed as the first CEO, is a former head of the management division (Grade 1) at KINTEX. He graduated from Seoul National University in 1991 with a degree in French Language and Literature and has comprehensive expertise in marketing strategy and brand consulting through his work at Hanjin Shipping’s marketing division and McCann Erickson.

Since joining KINTEX in 2006, he has contributed to revitalizing the MICE industry by developing region-specific exhibitions and attracting international conventions and multinational corporate events, earning a reputation as an expert in the related fields.

Notably, during his tenure at KINTEX, he strengthened domestic and international competitiveness by hosting the Korea Industrial Fair, the largest exhibition in Korea, and promoting the construction of the third exhibition hall. He also secured operational rights for the India Yashobhumi Exhibition Center and the Suwon Convention Center, proving KINTEX’s competitiveness in the global MICE industry and achieving KINTEX’s first-ever profitable management.

Song Nam-woon, the inaugural CEO.

CEO Song Nam-woon expressed his aspirations, saying, “I will do my best to establish Pohang as an international MICE industry hub beyond Korea. By leveraging Pohang’s unique strengths combining advanced industries and marine tourism, we will build a differentiated MICE business model to contribute to regional economic revitalization.”

The city plans to complete the corporate establishment procedures, including applying for corporate establishment approval and corporate registration, by next month. Following this, it will accelerate the foundation’s operations through staff recruitment and other processes.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok stated, “With a capable CEO appointed to lead the foundation, we will make every effort to enable Pohang to leap forward as a global MICE hub through sincere communication and close cooperation.”

The city plans to construct the Pohang International Exhibition and Convention Center on a 26,608㎡ site of the former U.S. military base Camp Liberty in Jangseong-dong, Buk-gu, with a total floor area of 63,818㎡ spanning from one basement floor to five above-ground floors.

The main facilities will include an exhibition hall of 7,183㎡, a convention hall capable of accommodating about 2,000 people simultaneously, 11 medium and small conference rooms, citizen rest areas, commercial and office facilities, and more. The center is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.