19th Annual Major Event for Small Business Owners
'Small Business Owners Must Thrive for Korea to Smile' Slogan
The largest festival for small business owners, the 'Korea Small Business Owners Festival,' was held.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 31st that the '2024 Korea Small Business Owners Festival' was held at KINTEX in Seoul.
The Small Business Owners Festival, held annually since 2006 and now in its 19th year, is the biggest festival for small business owners aimed at enhancing the social and economic awareness of small business owners and promoting communication and harmony among them. It is hosted by the Small Enterprise and Market Service and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is applauding after awarding the Presidential Citation to Labok Implochae, CEO of Labok Im, at the opening ceremony of the '2024 Korea Small Business Owners Conference' held on the 31st at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. [Image source=Yonhap News]
At the opening ceremony, under the slogan "When Small Business Owners Thrive, Korea Smiles!", awards were presented to exemplary small business owners, and a cheering performance for small business owners was held.
This year, a total of 147 awards were given at the festival, including 2 Industrial Medals, 2 Industrial Decorations, 7 Presidential Citations, and 10 Prime Minister Citations, recognizing exemplary small business owners, contributors to development, and outstanding support organizations.
The Silver Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to 'Seo Yongpil, CEO of Dupang Confectionery,' who has been engaged in the confectionery business for 43 years, contributed to the globalization of Korean confectionery, and participated in social contribution activities through talent donation to the local community.
The Iron Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to 'Kim Daerae, CEO of Elim Coffee,' who developed coffee using buckwheat from Gangwon Province, filed patents, contributed to the development of the domestic coffee industry, and actively worked overseas as an international barista judge.
Park Seonghyo, Chairman of the Small Enterprise and Market Service, stated, "We will do our best to provide customized on-site support so that small business owners, the foundation of the livelihood economy, can grow into entrepreneurial small business owners based on innovative ideas even in times of crisis," and added, "The Small Business Owners Festival features various exhibition halls and attractions where you can witness the strength of small business owners, so we ask for your great interest and visits."
Meanwhile, during the festival period, which continues until November 1st, various programs that small business owners and the public can enjoy together are being operated.
Additionally, to allow visitors to the festival to enjoy together, various experience events such as traditional hanbok wearing, coffee barista experience, and plant planting experience are being held continuously.
At the skills competition held over two days from the 31st to November 1st, about 2,000 small business owners belonging to nine organizations, including the Korea Custom Tailors Association, Korea Gift Wrapping Association, Korea Florist Association, Korea Pet Industry Association & Korea Kennel Federation, Korea Makeup and Beauty Association, Asia Food Service Federation, Korea Culinary Masters Association, Korea Auto Glass Sales Cooperative, and Korea Nail Beauty Association, will showcase their skilled techniques.
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