Taichung, Taiwan — March 23, 2026 — The Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center (TICEC) officially commenced operations today, realizing a vision long anticipated by central Taiwan’s industrial sector. The grand opening ceremony was led by Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen and TAITRA Chairman James Huang, with more than 700 industry leaders and international representatives in attendance, marking a significant milestone in Taichung’s development as a regional hub for conventions and exhibitions.

A Gateway for Central Taiwan to the World

Since 2019, the Taichung City Government has pursued a clear principle: “If construction cannot start, it must start; if it cannot finish, it must finish.” With NT$8.8 billion in city-funded investment and a workforce of 500,000, the project overcame challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and typhoon disruptions.

The facility spans approximately 132,000 m² (≈40,000 ping), featuring 2,360 exhibition booths, 5,000 conference seats, and a maximum capacity of 12,600 attendees for international events. To date, the center has secured over 50 exhibition bookings and is projected to generate an annual economic impact of NT$17–20 billion.

International Delegations Attend Opening

Representatives from foreign offices in Taiwan attended the ceremony, underscoring the center’s international significance, including Robert Kennedy Lewis, Ambassador of Saint Lucia; Karsten Tietz, Director of the German Institute Taipei; Marco Lombardi, Representative of the Italian Economic, Trade and Cultural Promotion Office; Corazon Padiernos, Representative of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office; Ankit Yadav, Assistant President of the Taipei Indian Association; Hamish Rea, Deputy Head of the Political Section at the British Office Taipei; Jordan Turley, Deputy Director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei; Ivy Lu, Executive Secretary of the Embassy of Belize; and Vu Van Cuong, Head of the Commercial Section at the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office.

Mayor Lu personally welcomed each guest and participated in bilateral exchanges and group photography, underscoring international recognition of Taichung’s convention development and industrial influence.

Strong International Appeal During Trial Operations

During a five-month trial period from October 21, 2025, to March 23, 2026, TICEC hosted eight exhibitions, demonstrating robust international visibility:

The Taiwan International Tools & Hardware Expo featured nearly 400 companies and 800 booths, attracting over 22,000 professional visitors and 500 international buyers from 70 countries.

The Taichung Machine Tools and Smart Manufacturing Expo brought together 250 companies and 600 booths, leveraging local industry clusters to create business opportunities.

The 2026 Industry Fair integrated business and consumer activities, welcoming over 200,000 visitors and generating NT$500 million in consumption.

Subsequent exhibitions—including pet shows, baby and children expos, travel fairs, wine expos, and furniture shows—culminated in the first major post-opening flagship event, TMTS 2026 Taiwan International Machine Tool Show, returning to Taichung after eight years with 400 companies and 1,800 booths.

In total, TICEC has booked over 50 exhibitions and 300 conferences for 2026, covering smart technology, green energy, precision machinery, and consumer sectors, reflecting the growing potential of Taichung’s convention industry.

International Exchange with German Convention Experts

Before the official opening, the center had already attracted international attention. On March 20, Dr. Albert Kauflein, Deputy Mayor of Karlsruhe, Germany, led a delegation to visit the center. Hosted by Director general Chang Feng-Yuan of Taichung’s Economic Development Bureau, this visit allowed in-depth discussions on convention development and urban governance, reaching a shared understanding on leveraging conventions to drive industry growth and city branding.

Positioning Taichung as a Regional Convention Hub

Mayor Lu emphasized that the convention center fulfills a long-held aspiration of local industry leaders and serves as a timely catalyst amid global challenges such as tariffs, energy shortages, and economic volatility. The center is envisioned as a driver for economic growth, trade facilitation, investment promotion, and industrial upgrading, positioning Taichung as an international gateway and platform for dialogue.

During the trial phase, TICEC welcomed over 400,000 visitors and generated more than NT$1.5 billion in business opportunities. With the 2026 schedule fully booked, strong market interest demonstrates the center’s capacity to integrate exhibitions, conferences, investment promotion, and city marketing. Taichung aims to establish itself as a leading convention city in Asia, embodying the vision: “Bring the world to Taichung, and take Taichung to the world.”