The Korea Mining Promotion Association, 19th International Mining Convergence Industry Exhibition and Conference

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] As the with-COVID era opens, the world that had come to a halt is gradually regaining vitality and moving again.

Accordingly, the export market for optics-related companies, which had slowed down, is now accelerating and increasing its momentum. International exhibitions that were consecutively canceled or postponed for some time are now being held with more relaxed regulations and as hybrid online-offline events, providing close support to companies.

The Korea Photonics Industry Promotion Association (Chairman Jeong Cheol-dong) is holding the “19th International Photonics Convergence Industry Exhibition and Conference” over two days from the 24th to 25th at the Gwangju Kim Dae-jung Convention Center, conducted in a hybrid format combining both online and offline participation.

In particular, the exhibition features content that introduces participating companies’ products like home shopping and allows overseas buyers to make purchases. Additionally, a job promotion hall tailored to the local industry has been set up to revitalize the job ecosystem in the Gwangju area and to spread the achievements of support efforts.

All local job support organizations in Gwangju, including the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Gwangju Employment and Economy Promotion Agency, are participating to promote the achievements of Gwangju city’s job projects so far. They have created a comprehensive job matching platform tailored to the local industry to maximize synergy effects in regional and industry-specific job creation projects.

This exhibition provides opportunities for communication and harmony between domestic photonics convergence companies and related organizations. It is held on a scale of about 154 booths from 100 domestic companies and 16 institutions, with participation from over 150 overseas buyers from 20 countries worldwide.

To secure overseas buyers, understand the latest market trends, and achieve actual export contract results, the Promotion Association has invited influential overseas buyers to conduct export consultations both online and offline.

Face-to-face meetings between overseas buyers who have entered Korea and domestic participating companies are helping to open new sales channels for companies struggling due to the export market downturn. For overseas buyers unable to enter Korea due to COVID-19, export consultations are being conducted via online video conferences.

Considering the management difficulties caused by COVID-19, the Promotion Association supported participating companies by covering basic booth setup and rental fees. They also provide differential support for round-trip airfare for overseas buyers, accommodation expenses for two days, and professional interpretation services to facilitate smooth export consultations with overseas buyers.

To assist companies facing difficulties with face-to-face marketing, real-time online marketing activities are supported during the exhibition period through YouTube (B2B) and Naver Live Commerce (B2C). Naver Live Commerce is promoted for companies selling finished products online, where professional hosts conduct real-time broadcasts at scheduled times to promote sales to domestic consumers. This satisfies the purchasing desires of visitors who cannot attend the exhibition in person.

This exhibition showcases various new products equipped with the latest technology and competitiveness from domestic optics-related companies centered in the Gwangju region. In the optical communication field, technologies that protect optical cable connection points and optical fiber splicing points from external environments through various connection methods were introduced. In the photonics convergence lighting field, ultra-energy-saving lighting technology capable of variable forms responding to ambient light used indoors and outdoors was presented.

In the photomedical bio field, skin improvement and anti-aging solution technologies using LED light sources were exhibited. In the optical materials and components field, technologies featuring simple structures with ultra-lightweight, ultra-compact, non-magnetic, low-noise, and low-power consumption characteristics were showcased.

Especially at this exhibition, the “Casper” vehicle incorporating core technologies of the photonics convergence industry was displayed. Beyond existing optical communication and LED lighting, technologies applied to automotive headlights, interior lights, infotainment, and front and rear sensing centers can be seen through the “Casper.” The “Casper” is a compact SUV produced by Gwangju Global Motors (GGM), where the Gwangju-type job model was first applied under commission from Hyundai Motor Company.

Additionally, the 11th Photomedical Symposium hosted by Chonnam National University Hospital and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, the 2021 ETRI Honam Research Center 2nd TECH Day hosted by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, and a regional and industry-tailored job creation promotion hall are being operated. An LED landscape lighting experience hall made using blackout curtains and LEDs also attracted the attention of overseas buyers and visitors.

Cho Yong-jin, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea Photonics Industry Promotion Association, stated, “This exhibition focused on organizing a hybrid event combining online and offline formats in line with the with-COVID era.” He added, “Through this, we will open a global marketing platform, enabling the photonics convergence industry to leap forward as a national core industry and providing companies with an opportunity to step onto the global stage.”