Goyang International Flower Festival

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Flowers in Goyang International Flower Festival

Goyang International Flower Festival (Hangul: 고양 국제 꽃박람회; RR: Goyang Gukje Kkotbangamhoe) is one of the largest flower festivals in South Korea and takes place in city of Goyang, Gyeonggi, Province. It attracts many visitors annually. The festival is a success in a metropolitan area and serves as a model for local culture festivals in which various foreign flower farmers participate.^[1]^[2]

During the festival, various flower events and cultural performances are held, and visitors can purchase flowers from all over the world. This promotes the domestic flower industry.^[3]

In 2015, it was held from 24 April to 10 May and took place at Ilsan Lake Park. This festival had the largest scale of participants, consisting of 25 National Pavilions, 120 companies from 35 countries, and 200 domestic companies. The exhibition size was 150,000 square metres (1,600,000 sq ft); it was organized by the Goyang International Flower Foundation.^[4]

History

The festival started in 1991 and was a domestic event held annually until 1996. From 1997 to 2012, the Goyang International Flower Festival was held every 3 years. Since 2013, the Goyang International Flower Festival has begun being held annually again.^[5] It has since attracted 5.7 million people and has grown into one of the most famous international flower festival in Korea.^[6]

In 1991, The 1st Goyang Korea Flower Show
In 1997, The 1st Goyang International Flower Festival
In 2012, The 6th Goyang International Flower Festival
In 2013, The 7th Goyang International Flower Festival
In 2014, The 8th Goyang International Flower Festival
In 2015, The 9th Goyang International Flower Festival (24 April to 10 May)

Flower Convention

Composition

In 2015, official events, as well as the Press Day for the Goyang International Flower Festival Opening ceremony took place on 23 April. Business days were held from 24 April to 10 May. The closing ceremony occurred on the last day of the event (10 May).^[7]

At the Indoor section, people from overseas governments, as well as internal and external enterprise and associations, hold event booths. The Outdoor section consists of many different types of gardens, such as the: Mosaic Culture Garden, Korea Garden Show, Flower Tunnel, Heal-ing Garden, Children's Garden, Flower Wall, etc.^[8]

There are various Flower Culture Events for attendees with contests like the Flower Design Contest, The Traditional Flower Arrangement Contest, Preserved Flower Cup Contest, and Flower Drawing Contest.^[9]

People can also experience programs like the Flower Boat Ride, and flower related experiences, such as making a pot, soap, perfume, herbal tea, and hand-made flower props. Traditional culture experiences like wearing traditional clothing and wedding experiencing programs take place as well.^[10]

Program

The Goyang International Flower Festival has produced many programs every year, with both domestic and foreign cooperation. In 2015, the Goyang International Flower Festival program consisted of two parts: Indoor exhibition and Outdoor garden.^[11]

Exchange of world flowers 1

-Exhibiting new varieties of flowers from 110 excellent flower firms from 23 countries.

-Business matching by inviting foreign buyers and local florists.

-Garden of explorer : Variety of foreign flower exhibitions from The Netherlands, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Chile, etc.

-Life Style Zone: rare plants exhibition, office exhibition, practical use exhibition for interior design, wedding flowers.

-Laboratory of horticulturists : Flagship store directing institutions and companies together.

Exchange of world flowers 2

Flower Works

-Display new varieties of flower products and real life works by 210 local companies.

-Exhibition Ideas concerning flowers

-Promoting a variety of products with different design features

Effect

In 2015

With various business programs, Goyang International Flower Festival brought in 33 million won of export contract. As a result, Goyang International Flower Festival signed an export contract more than $30 million for four straight years. Flower markets in Goyang negotiated an export contract totaling more than $14 million, which is 42% of the total contract amount.^[12]

There were over 550,000 guests who visited Goyang International Flower Festival 2015. The total number of visitors has increased about 20%.^[12]

According to the analysis of Shinhan University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Goyang International Flower Festival 2015 brought in a profit of about 71.1 billion won.^[12]

Total

Since the festival became an International exhibition in 1997, it has attracted more than 5.7 million people domestically and internationally, and has also attained export contracts in the amount of about $200 million.^[13] It has opened new prospects in the field of the developing local horticultural industry, and has been commonly acknowledged as one of the best exhibitions in Korea.^[14]

Landmarks

IIsan Lake Park

Ilsan Lake Park

Ilsan Lake Park is the largest artificial lake in the East. Citizens of Goyang city can follow the trail by riding a bicycle or enjoy weekend performances and shows.^[15]

Lafesta

Lafesta is the biggest street themed shopping center. It is the only UEC (Urban Entertainment Center) shopping mall in Korea. Lafesta (Ilsan Myeongdong) is an exclusive shopping center. It contains a movie theater, fashion outlets, a food court, a themed café, a game center, a record shop, a book shop, a beauty clinic, and more.^[16]

View of KINTEX

Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX)

KINTEX (Korea International Exhibition Center) is the largest international exhibition and convention venue in Korea. It is located in Ilsan, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Korea. To internationalize Korea's exhibition industry, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), Gyeonggi Provincial government and Goyang city have a joint investment to build KINTEX in order to resolve the shortage of event space in Korea.^[17]

Onemount

Onemount is a Complex-Cultural Facility which has nine floors above ground and two underground. It is one of the biggest shopping centers in Goyang city. It consists of a Water park, a Snow park, Shopping malls, and a Sport club. The Water park and Snow park are open everyday of the year so guests can enjoy summer and winter seasons at their leisure. It contains 125 shopping malls. It is not far from Ilsan Lake Park and KINTEX.^[18]