Core Insights - Shenzhen's exhibition industry has evolved significantly over 36 years, transforming from a simple trade window to a powerful lever for industrial upgrading [1] Group 1: Historical Development - The Shenzhen exhibition industry began with the establishment of the Luohu International Exhibition Center in 1989, which served as a trade window connecting Shenzhen with the global market [2] - The early exhibitions, such as the Lychee Festival, attracted foreign investment and technology, laying the groundwork for Shenzhen's manufacturing base [2] Group 2: Technological Advancement - The shift of the city’s development center to Futian marked a new era for the exhibition industry, with significant events like the China International High-Tech Achievements Fair (CHTAF) showcasing Shenzhen's technological prowess [3] - The transformation of the Lychee Expo into CHTAF in 1999 was a pivotal moment, highlighting Shenzhen's transition from processing trade to becoming a leader in high-tech industries [3] Group 3: Recent Growth and Infrastructure - The opening of the Shenzhen International Exhibition Center in Bao'an in 2019 marked a new chapter, becoming a flagship platform for strategic emerging industries under the "20+8" industrial cluster policy [4] - Since its opening, the exhibition center has hosted nearly 150 events in a year, with a total exhibition area of 5.8414 million square meters, indicating a significant increase in exhibition activities [4] - Projections indicate that the number of exhibitions in Shenzhen will grow from 106 in 2021 to over 400 by 2024, with total exhibition space expanding from 5.12 million square meters to 12 million square meters, attracting over 100,000 exhibitors and more than 11 million visitors annually [4]