Since the first session in 2004, the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) is a platform of cultural industry exhibition and trade and a showcase of Shenzhen’s cultural vision and open-mindedness. Looking back on the past 10 years, each session of the fair carried a unique highlight of its own.

2004: Exhibition and trade platform

In November 2004, the first fair was held. It was highlighted with innovations and modern technologies in the exhibition and trade of cultural products. It also featured large-scale cultural celebrations. The fair was not only an exhibition and trade platform for the cultural industry but also a place for the public to enjoy culture.

2006: A window on China’s magnetism

In 2006, the second fair made major innovations on the first one and shifted focus on promoting culture product exports, transforming from a fair for export trade of cultural products from purely exhibition and exchange. The second fair strived to open a door for China’s cultural products to bring Chinese culture to the world and show the world the charm of ancient Eastern civilization

2007: Top cultural products fair

With the previous two successful sessions, the 2007 fair clung to the idea of internationalization, specialization, marketization, standardization and quality. It focused on boosting the development of the Chinese culture industry and the export of Chinese cultural products and services. It strived to transform itself into a top fair for Chinese cultural products and a top brand for export. The fair featured richer content, a bigger scale, a higher degree of internationalization, more influence, more standardized operations and improved services.

2008: A gathering of creative products

Originality was the major highlight of the 2008 fair and suffused all products displayed at the fair. In the meantime, Shenzhen and Hong Kong made new cooperative achievements, with Hong Kong sending a government team to attend the fair for the first time.

2009:Taiwan’s debut at the ICIF

The 2009 fair successfully fought against the grim situation brought by the financial tsunami by stepping up market-oriented operations, taking flexible measures and broadening various channels. It saw a surprisingly good result in business invitation. New breakthroughs were made in cooperation with Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, with Taiwan officially attending the fair for the first time.

2010:China’s intangible cultural heritage cut a dash

The 2010 fair put special focus on spreading and showcasing China’s traditional culture. It set up a Chinese intangible cultural heritage zone and systematically displayed excellent arts and crafts with Chinese characteristics in the No 9 Hall, the art pavilion. Works included sculpture, pottery and porcelain, embroidery, folk art, jade jewelry, blackwood furniture and art masterpieces. The fair successfully transformed itself into a prestigious exhibition and export trade platform in China’s arts and crafts industry.

2011:Tourist projects introduced for the first time

The 2011 fair set up a tourism crafts exhibition zone for the first time to showcase famous domestic tourism projects, scenic spots and crafts. It also carried out a tourism crafts design competition to boost culture and tourism integration.

2012: Culture, science and technology integration

The 2012 fair carried a stronger focus on culture and technology integration and culture, as well as market connection. It highlighted the latest technology, achievements and market activities and was a platform for culture creation and science and technology innovation.

2013: Culture industries blossom at the fair

The 2013 fair had many highlights, especially in the innovative industries. The comprehensive hall set up a new cultural industry zone for the first time, and more than 60 enterprises from 16 national culture, science and technology integration demonstration bases made an appearance altogether. In addition, there was an independent cultural tourism zone, enriching the fair’s industrial structure.

2014: Professional visitor day introduced for the first time

The 2014 ICIF will last for five days. It will set up a professional visitor day for the first time. The first two days are for professional visitors while the last three are open to the public. It will receive major buyers in China and abroad and hold major professional and high-end forums and conferences, including one-to-one or one-to-many purchase fairs in the first two days. The last three days will open to the general public and strive to create a warm and solemn atmosphere.