A hand-painted map of Hangzhou's convention and exhibition centers [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Hangzhou, Zhejiang province will become an ideal destination for international conventions by integrating the digital economy with the convention and exhibition industry, according to the Digital Hangzhou Exhibition Cooperation Conference held on Sept 2.

The conference was hosted by the municipal commerce bureau and consisted of three different parts, namely a summit forum, an exhibition themed on epidemic prevention, and a digital arts exhibition.

Attendees included over 260 experts from Italy, Japan, Romania, Yemen, and Hong Kong, such as Noor Ahmad Harnid from the International Congress and Convention Association and Chen Xianjin from the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

Rising names in Hangzhou's convention and exhibition industry are honored at the Digital Hangzhou Exhibition Cooperation Conference on Sept 2. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Attendees agreed that COVID-19 had accelerated the digitalization of the convention and exhibition industry, and a committee was established to help organize online exhibitions.

Follow-up activities included award ceremonies for extraordinary industry insiders and the release of a hand-painted map of the city's exhibition centers, which highlighted major venues such as the Zhejiang World Trade International Exhibition Center, the Hangzhou International Expo Center, and the Hangzhou Grand Theater.