CEO Summit Invites Global Companies
"Must Be Seen as a Good Father"
Programs to Attract Family Visits
Featuring Performances, Exhibitions, and Beauty Experiences
"To have a comfortable year, you need to look like a good father by the last event on the schedule."
This is what Choi Taewon, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said at a recent meeting preparing for the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit. He explained that the strategy for attracting global CEOs to Korea often starts with content that appeals to their spouses and children.
The APEC Summit, scheduled to be held in Gyeongju from late October to early November, is an international event that will invite not only the leaders of participating countries but also CEOs from major global companies. In particular, the APEC CEO Summit, hosted by Korea's business community, will invite global companies from a wide range of sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, digital industries, finance, distribution, energy, bio, and infrastructure. CEOs representing their respective countries are expected to attend in large numbers. American companies such as Nvidia, OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft are also among those invited.
However, it is not easy to actually bring these CEOs to Korea. It is necessary to persuade them why they should choose Korea among the many international events held every month. Chairman Choi presented "family content" as that one convincing reason.
According to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairman Choi stated in an internal meeting, "For global CEOs to decide to visit Korea, the trip must also be meaningful for their families," and emphasized, "A program that allows them to be seen as a 'good father' at the last event is essential."
In fact, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry is putting special effort into the cultural events linked to the APEC CEO Summit. Programs currently in preparation are close to a "full course," including an orchestra performance, an art exhibition, a beauty experience, and a fashion show dinner.
Choi Taewon, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is speaking at the meeting of the heads of five major economic organizations with presidential candidates held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul on May 8, 2025. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
First, the classical orchestra performance is being planned as a collaboration between a renowned domestic symphony orchestra and vocalists. While the lineup has not yet been finalized, inviting internationally recognized vocalists is under consideration, and artists with high acclaim both in Korea and abroad, such as Sumi Jo, are reportedly among the candidates.
The K-art exhibition will be held in the Gyeongju area as a special exhibition featuring prominent Korean artists. Considering the challenges of transporting and securing overseas artworks, the exhibition will focus mainly on domestic works.
The K-beauty experience will center on beauty and health themes, offering interactive content such as skincare and demonstrations of beauty devices. A special dinner for spouses is also being prepared, and this dinner is planned to be combined with a fashion show format.
In addition, customized tours and local cultural experiences for spouses and children will also be included. Night tours utilizing Gyeongju's historical heritage, as well as cultural experiences at temple and ancient tomb districts, are strong candidates.
Chairman Choi recently visited Gyeongju, the host city, to personally inspect the venues, accommodations, and cultural facilities and to check on preparations. After reviewing potential venues such as the Seoul Arts Center and Hwarang Village, he also discussed joint preparation plans with North Gyeongsang Province.
The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as the Korean representative organization to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and the organizer of this CEO Summit, is preparing a comprehensive event that combines industry, culture, technology, and tourism.
An official from the Chamber stated, "Global CEOs no longer move just for simple meetings or speeches," adding, "Their visit to Korea will only materialize if they can have meaningful experiences with their families." The official continued, "Technology and industry are Korea's strengths, but truly memorable experiences are ultimately created by people."
The APEC CEO Summit is a private-sector economic event held during the APEC Summit, where each year economic leaders from APEC member economies gather to discuss key issues and network.
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