The country's largest software industry expo, 'SoftWave 2023,' will be held for three days starting November 29 at COEX. The event is hosted by the SoftWave Organizing Committee and jointly sponsored by related ministries and local governments including the Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Education, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and Seoul Metropolitan Government, as well as software-related associations, making it the largest business festival in the software sector.
SoftWave, launched in 2016 with the aim of expanding national growth engines through revitalizing the software industry, which is key to digital transformation and innovative growth, is now in its 8th edition this year. Despite crises such as the global pandemic, SoftWave has continued to grow, with this year’s event featuring over 320 participating companies and a total of 557 booths, setting a new record for scale.
The event covers future innovative technologies including artificial intelligence, big data, cloud, blockchain, Internet of Things, metaverse, virtual and augmented reality, IT services, security, mobility, healthcare, and smart finance/education/defense/administration/manufacturing/cities. Leading domestic and international software companies such as LG CNS, Douzone Bizon, Hancom, ITCEN, Tmax, Fourthree, B2N, Gabia, RSUPPORT, and Siemens will exhibit.
Public institutions and organizations overseeing national R&D and industrial support, including the National IT Industry Promotion Agency, Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, SW Convergence Cluster, Korea Youth Entrepreneurship Foundation, Seoul Digital Foundation, Patent Information Service, Korea Information and Communication Technology Association, Korea Software Industry Association, Korea Data Industry Association, and Korea Venture Business Association, will participate extensively in the form of joint pavilions for outstanding companies. Additionally, India and China will set up national pavilions, and more than 40 overseas companies from five countries including the United States, Germany, and Vietnam will participate to showcase new technologies and services.
Various side events aimed at creating business opportunities, revitalizing the industrial ecosystem, and sharing software development policies and visions are also well prepared. The 'Knowledge and Innovation Legislative Award' ceremony, which honors members of the National Assembly who have carried out legislative activities for future-oriented national development, will be held on the morning of November 29 alongside the SoftWave opening ceremony, with six award-winning lawmakers attending.
The SoftWave Summit Conference, which forecasts global software technology and market trends, will be held on November 30 in Room 401 at COEX. Speakers including Kim Jong-su, Sales Director of Siemens Industry Software; Pyo Chang-hee, IBM Executive Director; Song Ho-chul, CEO of Douzone Bizon Platform Division; Justin Kim, Head of Avalanche Asia-Pacific; Han Man-su, Executive Director of TmaxSoft; and Kim Beom-jin, CEO of Tiger Company, will present on software innovation technologies, market trends, and business strategies that will lead the future.
An export consultation meeting inviting overseas buyers and an online export platform will also be provided. The export consultation meeting will feature face-to-face meetings between participating companies and over 20 carefully selected and invited buyers from five countries including Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore. Last year, 132 meetings resulted in export consultations worth 46 million USD. The online export platform operates continuously, allowing SoftWave participating companies to register their products and services on an import-export site with 1.5 million overseas buyers, enabling customized buyer searches and online consultations.
Networking events for SoftWave participating companies will also be held. Executives (C-level) from participating companies will be exclusively invited to provide business connection opportunities through breakfast meetings and special lectures. Economist Kim Han-jin from 3ProTV will forecast the 2024 economy, and over 130 executives from SoftWave participating companies will gather in one place.
There are also abundant events for visitors. Simply pre-registering for exhibition viewing enters visitors into a draw to win prizes such as Apple Watches, cultural gift certificates, and coffee coupons. On-site visitors will have chances to win prizes including Tromm Stylers, LG Gram laptops, and Galaxy Watches through a raffle. Attendees of the SoftWave Summit Conference will have separate prize events featuring Samsung 50-inch TVs and Galaxy Watches, and all summit attendees will receive a free Instapay membership that offers a 25% discount on purchasing commercial books throughout the year.
Amid the digital transformation causing upheaval in all industries and economic environments, software has established itself as an infrastructure industry that will lead the future. This event is expected to be a turning point that opens the dawn of a digital new world by presenting the restructured market order and new business models centered on advanced technologies. Admission to the event is free with pre-registration.
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