2024 Seoul International Sports & Leisure Industry Exhibition Scheduled for Feb 22–25 at COEX

Highlights include Special Pavilions for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Paralympics, and Bicycle and Leisure; Overseas Market Expansion for Domestic Sports Companies; and Career Fairs in Conjunction with the Sports Industry

Sports policy forum on “Reflections and Recommendations for the Rejuvenation of K-Sports” on Feb 22

The 2024 Seoul International Sports & Leisure Industry Exhibition (2024 SPOEX) sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Minister AHN Dukgeun), cohosted by the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (CEO CHO Hyun-jae) and the Korea International Trade Association (Chairman KOO Ja-yeol) will be held at COEX in Seoul from February 22 (Thu) to 25 (Sun). The opening ceremony will commence at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 22, near COEX Hall A.

Featuring Participation from over 350 Domestic and International Sports Companies, with over 1,600 Exhibition Booths

Since its launch in 2001, SPOEX has evolved into the country’s premier sports industry exhibition. This year, the event boasts over 1,600 booths with participation from more than 350 domestic and international sports companies. This marks a significant expansion from last year’s virtual event, the first since the COVID-19 pandemic, with an increase of approximately 100 participating companies and over 300 exhibition booths. This year’s highlights include premier exhibits on health, fitness, and the latest sports gear. Special pavilions are dedicated to supporting the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics and reflecting the growing interest in the leisure industry, including a distinct “Bicycle and Leisure Pavilion.”

In addition, a career fair aligned with the sports industry will be held, providing a platform for recruitment by sports companies and offering job search opportunities for youth. The event will feature programs such as job matching, career workshops, and mentoring sessions.

Facilitating Overseas Expansion with Export Consultation Meetings with 17 International Purchasing Companies

Seventeen international purchasing companies with an interest in the K-sports industry have been invited to engage in export consultation meetings with around 80 domestic sports companies gearing up to enter global markets. This initiative aims to assist these companies in attracting investments and venturing into international arenas. Support includes assigning dedicated business interpreters to each purchasing company to ensure smooth export consultations. For companies unable to participate in export consultations during this event, separate quarterly online and offline export consultation meetings will be organized from April to December to support exporting enterprises.

Exploring Strategies for Advancing K-sports with International Insights, including from Japan

In conjunction with the exhibition, a sports policy forum titled “Reflections and Recommendations for the Rejuvenation of K-Sports” is scheduled from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on February 22 (Thur) at COEX Hall E2·3. This forum, jointly hosted by the Korea Institute of Sport Science (President SONG Kang-young) and the Korea Herald (President LEE Sung-chul) will feature presenters such as YOO Dae-keun, a reporter for the Korea Herald, PARK Se-jung, Director of the Sports Science Research Department at the Korea Institute of Sport Science, and Professor HONG Sung-chan from Seoul Women’s University. Discussions will focus on support for enhancing athletic performance in Japan’s sports sector and the need to revitalize school sports based on international benchmarks. The forum is open to all, and attendees are encouraged to join freely on-site.

For more information about this event, please visit the official website at spoex.com.

LEE Jung-woo, Director-General of the Sports Bureau at MCST expressed hopes for the 2024 SPOEX, the country’s largest sports industry exhibition, to expand opportunities for domestic sports companies’ international outreach and to boost recognition for companies with superior technology and products. He further pledged, “The MCST is committed to broadening the range of support measures for the sports industry, aimed at strengthening export initiatives and global competitiveness.”