Organized by the International Trade Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and executed by the World Trade Center Taipei, the MEET TAIWAN program, aimed at promoting the development of Taiwan's exhibition industry, has once again achieved international recognition by winning the 2023 Asia's Best Convention & Visitor Bureau at the prestigious Stella Awards. It is the third consecutive year that Taiwan has been awarded the honor. Additionally, Taiwan was honored as Asia's Best Exhibition City. The award ceremony took place on August 16 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore.

The Stella Awards, organized by M&C Asia of the Singaporean Northstar Meetings Group's, honors the best of Asia's MICE industry, including exhibition bureaus, convention centers, and convention cities. The awards are determined through votes from global clients and industry professionals. For the third consecutive year, Taiwan has been named Asia's Best Convention & Visitor Bureau and was also recognized as Asia's Best Exhibition Destination, demonstrating high international regard for Taiwan's exhibition industry.

In the post-pandemic era, the global exhibition industry is experiencing accelerated recovery and enhanced international exchanges. To remain competitive and attract international clients and opportunities, the International Trade Administration (TITA) has been upgrading exhibition venues and enhancing professional services. For instance, establishing the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center as Taiwan's first national smart venue with a dedicated 5G network, opening the International Convention Center Tainan in April last year, and accelerating completion of the Taoyuan International Exhibition Center—all contribute to shaping a complete north-to-south exhibition corridor in Taiwan, promoting the development of the exhibition industry.

Furthermore, the TITA continues to assist exhibition industry practitioners with adopting digital technologies to strengthen their digital capabilities, offering exhibitors and participants a more diverse and enriched digital experience, and expanding the depth and variety of exhibition activities.

In response to global sustainability trends, the TITA has been encouraging the exhibition industry to align with sustainable development goals. This year, by establishing a carbon calculation formula, the Bureau is helping industry practitioners assess their carbon reduction capabilities and encouraging energy-saving and carbon reduction efforts. These endeavors are concrete steps towards implementing the Taiwan MICE Sustainable White Paper released last year. Additionally, the Bureau's support in obtaining ISO international certifications and organizing sustainable exhibition awards demonstrates Taiwan's commitment to transitioning its exhibition industry towards carbon reduction and achieving net-zero goals.

This year, Taiwan is receiving a series of positive news for its exhibition industry. The EXPO-TECH Digital Exhibition Navigator Program launched by the TITA was awarded a 2023 Industry Partner Award by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) in July. The GREENTOPIA Sustainable MICE City initiative organized by MEET TAIWAN was also honored with a Best Sustainable Event Award by the international event marketing organization Eventex in June.