Southern Taiwan Charm: An Alluring Destination for Your Next Conference

(photo provided by Kaohsiung Exhibition Center)

Southern Taiwan is bursting with culture, history and maritime ambiance. Hosting your conference here would make for a truly unique event.

Southern Taiwan, a novel conference destination

Southern Taiwan is a region that blends rich historical heritage with a vibrant maritime culture. This area encompasses several notable destinations, including Tainan, the former capital of Taiwan for two centuries; the Asia New Bay Area, an emerging central business district in Kaohsiung established in response to evolving industries; and Kenting, a renowned beach resort hotspot. An abundance of business events resources has made southern Taiwan an attractive destination for international conferences, such as the 2023 Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology.

Complete transportation networks

Southern Taiwan has convenient transportation, both within the region and for international visitors. Upon arriving at Taiwan's largest international airport, Taoyuan Airport, visitors can access southern Taiwan by taking the high-speed rail, which takes approximately 90 minutes. Additionally, for travelers from Asian countries, there are direct flights to Kaohsiung Airport, the primary international gateway to southern Taiwan.

Within the cities, transport networks include the metro, light rail, and buses, linking key destinations. This extensive infrastructure ensures attendees can easily explore the region's attractions after attending a conference.

Diversified and innovative industry clusters

Southern Taiwan's industrial clusters lead in high-tech and innovative fields. The Southern Taiwan Science Park serves as a magnet for both domestic and international companies specializing in optoelectronics, precision mechanics, biotechnology, green energy, semiconductors, medical devices and such. Future plans include the incorporation of aerospace, precision health, and other promising sectors into the park.

In terms of urban development, new clusters have recently formed in alignment with government efforts to drive industrial transformation and efficient land use. Notably, the Asia New Bay Area, a burgeoning central business district in Kaohsiung, has taken shape. This dynamic area encompasses shopping malls, an exhibition center, a main library, a software technology park, and more. Its primary goals are to boost the presence in the business events sector, enhance its cultural and tourism industries, bolster international visibility, and draw domestic and foreign investors.

In 2016, Tainan established the Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City. This innovative hub actively implements smart city applications, accommodating facilities such as educational institutions, an exhibition center, industrial research centers, shopping malls, and residential areas. As a result, it has successfully attracted green-related industries from both public and private sectors. Abundant industry resources in southern Taiwan make it an appealing destination for non-governmental organizations and industries seeking an ideal destination to host their conferences.

Valuing sustainability, attracting talent and new industries

Sustainability is a paramount priority in Taiwan. In southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung port became the first port in the Asia-Pacific region to receive the prestigious EcoPorts Certificate from the ECO Sustainable Logistics Chain Foundation (ECOSLC), highlighting its commitment to implement environmental management and sustainability systems. In 2021, it earned a Resilient Physical Infrastructure Award from the World Port Sustainability Program (WPSP), organized by the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH).

To further bolster the green energy sector, the Taiwan government established the Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City as a smart ecological city model, designed to harmonize with nature and embrace a low-carbon, intelligent urban concept. It serves as a pivotal hub for national green energy industry development, attracting domestic and international green energy technology talent and enterprises.

These sustainable initiatives attract numerous sustainability-focused business events to Southern Taiwan each year, including the Sustainable Taiwan Expo and the 2022 Green Energy Innovation and Startups Expo. These events draw experts and scholars from around the world to southern Taiwan, fostering collaboration and sustainable development initiatives.

Professional and unique venues, a variety of choices for conference hosts

Southern Taiwan offers a diverse range of conference hosting options, including professional and specialized venues. Some notable choices include:

Where the history meets the modernity – International Convention Center Tainan

Inaugurated in 2022, ICC Tainan (pictured below) is a brand-new venue located in the historically and culturally rich city of Tainan, in close proximity to the Tainan High-Speed Rail Station. This strategic location provides convenience, allowing event attendees to easily access local transportation for exploring Tainan's historical sites after their business events. The venue offers 13 meeting rooms of various sizes, from 52m² to 810m², with the largest accommodating up to 1,000 guests in a theater-style setup. For more information, visit their official website.

The Spotlight of Asia New Bay Area – Kaohsiung Exhibition Center

The Kaohsiung Exhibition Center (cover photo), located in the Asia New Bay Area, is shaped like ocean waves. KEC is the first multifunctional waterfront venue in Taiwan that features innovative 5G AIoT technology applications and business development opportunities. The Center is composed of 15 meeting rooms of different sizes that can accommodate 20 to 4,000 guests, making it a versatile and adaptable venue for a wide array of events. For more information, visit their official website.

Immersing in the art – Tainan Art Museum

Tainan Art Museum (pictured below) is a famous cultural landmark in Tainan. It is located in the heart of Tainan city. Inaugurated in 2019, this five-story building boasts a distinctive pentagon-shaped roof design, inspired by the leaf of the Royal Poinciana, Tainan city's official tree. The outdoor space could be used as hosting banquets. The combination of historical surroundings and the modern amenities creates a memorable backdrop for various events. For more information, visit the website. 

(photo provided by Tainan Art Museum)

Recycling old warehouses for new uses – The Pier-2 Art Center

Originally serving as warehouses for the Kaohsiung port, these versatile venues have undergone a transformation to accommodate a variety of events, coworking spaces, art space, etc. This is a venue full of history and vitality. The special conference experience would stimulate visitors' imagination and creativity. The warehouses range from 495m2 to 1322m2, providing a range of options to suit various event needs. For more information, visit the website.

(photo provided by Pier-2 Art Center)

Diverse post-business event activities

Bleisure is a growing trend of increasing importance for business travelers. Taking time to relax and explore local tourist sites becomes essential for travelers after their intense meeting schedules. Southern Taiwan offers a wealth of cultural diversity and breathtaking natural attractions, complemented by a well-connected transportation network for easy exploration. When in Taiwan for events, consider embarking on a captivating sustainability-focused tour through southern Taiwan before heading home. Here are some recommended tour themes to explore in Southern Taiwan:

Human-centric Port City (Kaohsiung city)

As Taiwan’s largest port city, Kaohsiung is rich in marine, trade and cultural resources. Depart from the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, experience silkscreen printing at the Pier-2 Art Center, and visit a fishery at the end of the tour. For more details, visit the website.

Old Stories Behind Brick Walls (Tainan city)

Depart from the International Convention Center Tainan, visit the Chuan Mei Theater to see hand-painted movie billboards, and visit Guantian to see how water chestnut shells are turned into “black gold”. For more details, visit the website