Chongqing International Expo Center wins UFI best practice award

english.liangjiang.gov.cn| Updated: 2024-09-06

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Chongqing International Expo Center in Liangjiang New Area. [Photo provided to english.liangjiang.gov.cn]

The Chongqing International Expo Center has been awarded the 2024 UFI Sustainable Development Award, distinguishing itself among 12 global entries.

This accolade is part of the annual UFI Awards program, started by the global association of the exhibition industry in 2011, to honor best practices and outstanding achievements. This year, the Sustainable Development Award focused on the "best example of sustainability integrated into business proposals".

Located in Yuelai Convention & Exhibition City, the 600,000-square-meter Chongqing International Expo Center is a state-of-the-art, large-scale professional exhibition complex. It integrates exhibitions, conferences, dining areas, accommodation, performances, and events, positioning itself as a global leader in the industry. Since its opening in 2013, the center has hosted over 3,000 exhibitions.

Yuelai follows a strategic plan to build a sustainable development community through the integrated development of city and industry. This approach considers the relationship between urban areas, industries, and the natural environment.

Yuelai is one of China's first national green ecological urban demonstration areas, boasting a plantation rate of 40 percent and achieving 298 days of good air quality in 2023.

By promoting green development, Yuelai encourages stakeholders in the exhibition industry to adopt sustainable practices. For example, the "zero plastic" regulation mandates that catering services in the area use recyclable or environmentally-friendly, biodegradable tableware, eliminating disposable plastic items. Over the past five years, this initiative has reduced plastic waste by more than 3 million metric tons.

From 2013 to 2023, Yuelai has transformed from a rural, farming-based area into a bustling convention and exhibition city. Its GDP per capita has surged from less than 30,000 yuan ($4,232) to over 100,000 yuan.