From October 18th to 20th, the 2024 China International Consumer Electronics Expo (hereinafter referred to as the Expo) was held at the Qingdao International Convention and Exhibition Center (Hongdao Hall). This Expo aimed at the current global trends in the consumer electronics sector, with the theme of "Green Leadership, Digital Chain Future," bringing visitors cutting-edge technologies and innovative applications in the consumer electronics industry, and showcasing the new trends of high-end, intelligent, and green consumer electronics.
The exhibition area of the 2024 Expo was expanded to 50,000 square meters, attracting over 300 domestic and international consumer electronics enterprises, a 14% increase in参展企业数量 compared to the previous edition. Among them, there were 55 renowned domestic and international brands and 28 first-time exhibitors, marking a 10% increase in the number of brand exhibitors from the last Expo. Relevant chambers of commerce and buyers from countries and regions such as the United Kingdom, Russia, and Malaysia were all present. Over the three days, the Expo welcomed 45,000 offline visitors.
The success of the Expo was not only reflected in its popularity but also in the spillover effects it generated in areas such as trade promotion, industrial upgrading, and consumption stimulation. Many influential consumer electronics enterprises participated, using distinctive and personalized exhibition stands to paint a panoramic picture of the future of smart living. While leading technological innovation in consumer electronics, it also established an international exchange platform for precise supply-demand matching and promoting industrial integration and development. The Expo has gradually transformed from a consumer electronics exhibition to a smart technology exhibition centered on the experience economy.
Combining the development trends of the consumer electronics industry with Qingdao's local industrial characteristics, this Expo set up five themed exhibition areas: "Smart Homes," "New Displays," "Artificial Intelligence," "Digital Intelligence & Life," and "Digital Consumption." A staff member from Huawei Terminal Co., Ltd. stated, "The layout and route planning of this Expo's exhibition areas are well-designed. Upon entering from the login hall, visitors can quickly reach their target exhibition areas according to the guidance. There are many volunteers, and the service response is timely and adequate. Compared to last year, this year's promotion has been greatly improved, and the number of on-site visitors is higher, bringing in many B2B and B2C sales leads."
In the field of smart appliances and smart terminals, not only did local Qingdao industry leaders such as Haier and Aucma put in their best efforts, but also global leaders and innovative enterprises in the consumer electronics industry, including Huawei, Panasonic, JD.com, Midea, Sony, Canon, Lenovo, Xiaomi, Brother, and Ecovacs.
In the new display sector, besides industry giants like Hisense, BOE, and Oriental Movie Metropolis, the introduction of a projection zone for the first time attracted emerging enterprises like XGIMI, JMGO, Dangbei, and Fengmi. They competed to showcase their latest digital innovative products through interactive exhibition modes such as VR, focusing on scenarios like smart home audiovisual, immersive in-car audiovisual, new portable audiovisual, and innovative commercial audiovisual.
In the field of artificial intelligence, companies such as Tesla, Unitree, and Tiger Robotics exhibited a series of cutting-edge technological products, including humanoid robots and large language models. Large enterprises in the aerospace industry, such as Guoshi and Xingke Aerospace, showcased high-end AI equipment developed for B-end users.
In the smart transportation sector, new energy vehicle brands like Landwind, BYD, Lixiang One, and JOYWAY brought forward-thinking smart driving and riding solutions. Leading enterprises in flight equipment and services, such as DJI, Huahang Tianzheng, and EHang, showcased new possibilities for future travel. Additionally, brands like Ruihua Intelligent, Benny, and Xiaohang, which specialize in optical storage and charging, complemented the new energy vehicles to form a smart transportation industry chain.
In the field of digital consumption, cross-border e-commerce platforms like Google for Export, Shein, and Vjin International, as well as domestic leading retail enterprises like Suning.com, focused on showcasing new technologies, scenarios, and applications under the integration of trade, 3C electronics, and digital social life.
This year, the Expo was held at the Qingdao International Convention and Exhibition Center (Hongdao Hall) for the first time. The Hongdao venue further enhanced the Expo's comprehensive service and support quality with its excellent operational capabilities and supporting hotels. Moreover, the Qingdao High-tech Industrial Development Zone, where the Hongdao venue is located, boasts significant advantages in the intelligent and technological industries, which are highly aligned with the Expo's relevant industrial chains. Adopting the exhibition concept of "government guidance, enterprise leadership, and market-oriented operation," the Expo was specifically operated by the Guoxin Group. By continuously improving the Expo's marketization level, strengthening investment attraction and exhibition promotion, and expanding the Expo's "circle of friends," the 2024 Expo received widespread praise from exhibitors, visitors, and partners.
The Senior Public Relations Manager of Panasonic Corporation of China said, "The Hongdao venue provided us exhibitors with quality exhibition space, and the Expo also provided an opportunity for enterprises and consumers to share experiences and discuss cooperation. This year's participation and visit were very smooth, and the atmosphere at the Expo site was very lively. I would like to especially thank the organizers for their excellent organization and service."
During the Expo, a series of colorful and highlight-filled activities were held, including forums on the innovative application and development of artificial intelligence, sustainable development of green consumer electronics exports, new productivity empowering industrial innovation and development, high-end development of the low-altitude economy, cross-border e-commerce and digital trade, Malaysian market development, and corporate roadshows. These activities provided participants with diverse platforms for exchange and cooperation.
A series of rich and exciting activities, such as the International VR Immersive Imaging Exhibition, professional-level gameplay performances of "Black Myth: Wu Kong," Z-Generation experiences, and the "Imagine Future Technology" themed painting exhibition and "Future Vision·Technological Dreams" study tour, took place successively.
During the Expo, the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Commerce organized a home appliance consumption promotion event. In conjunction with the Expo, a trade-in promotion was conducted at 148 offline home appliance sales stores. Companies like Suning and JD.com set up trade-in zones at the Expo site. During the Expo, the city's trade-in activities benefited 5,340 people, driving home appliance sales of RMB 32.15 million.
The General Manager of Shandong Zhongyuan Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. said, "As a buyer, we noticed that compared to previous expositions, the richness of products exhibited at this year's Expo has significantly improved. For example, in terms of AI, each product is very innovative, and we have established connections with several suppliers. We also participated in several concurrent exchange activities, especially the third Smart Home City Industry Conference, which was very impressive with many technology-oriented contents, and we learned a lot."
Unlike ordinary industry exhibitions, the Expo, which began in 2001, has been endowed with a richer heritage by the experience accumulated over time. Over the past two decades, it has witnessed the wave of technological change in the consumer electronics industry. For Qingdao, the Expo has also witnessed the rise of the city's new leading industries – from traditional home appliances to smart appliances, integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and other emerging industries advancing together. A redefined leading industry is rising strongly in Qingdao. In the future, Qingdao will continue to strive to present a more specialized, high-end, and international exhibition for a brighter future.