Crowds flock to the various pavilions to experience the latest cultural products and creative innovations from the Yangtze River Delta region. [Photo/Shanghai Municipal People's Government]
The sixth Yangtze River Delta (YRD) International Cultural Industries Expo concluded on Nov 22 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), generating an impressive 149 billion yuan (about $21 billion) in intended transactions and signings.
Remarkably, this record was set despite the event being shortened from four days to three.
The expo covered over 80,000 square meters, featured more than 1,500 cultural enterprises, and hosted 126 events, making it the largest and most comprehensive edition yet.
A new "1+6" exhibition format was launched, which included one comprehensive section and six specialized thematic exhibitions, crucial for improving efficiency. These themes covered immersive industries, innovations in ancient towns, and major cultural achievements from the YRD region, providing a focused platform for industry networking and collaboration.
During the expo, 17 themed summits, nine trade matchmaking events, and 10 investment promotion sessions took place, attracting around 20,000 professional visitors and 238 visiting groups.
With a service model of "pre-exhibition research—during-exhibition matchmaking—post-exhibition follow-up", the expo shifted from simply showcasing to creating cooperative value.
Specific matchmaking events were highly successful. A Sino-foreign cultural tourism meeting attracted 17 Southeast Asian institutions, promoting domestic services abroad with an intended cooperation amount of 30 million yuan. Another event focusing on cultural and creative products connected cultural investment groups, museums, and brands with designers and IP owners, enabling creativity-to-product transitions worth 5 million yuan.
Beyond its three-day span, the expo launched initiatives like the YRD Travel Passport, connecting 150 scenic spots and performances for "one-time purchase, year-round travel", fostering a sustainable consumption loop.
