The design of brand identity of Festival Shiwol / Courtesy of Busan Metropolitan Government By Jung Da-hyun Busan is set to make a significant stride in the global MICE — meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions and events — industry with its upcoming festival. Scheduled for early October, the festival will showcase 17 diverse international events, marking a bold effort to elevate the city’s status on the global stage. Busan Metropolitan City unveiled, Monday, the name of its inaugural integrated exhibition and convention project, "Festival Shiwol.
" Set to run from Sept. 30 to Oct. 8, the nine-day festival will feature 17 international events spanning six sectors — music, film, culture, food, business and technology.
Aiming to bolster its status as a global convention city, Busan is focusing on developing a private-led industrial ecosystem and fostering innovation. Highlighting the need for a global convergence festival, the city has introduced this groundbreaking project for the first time this year, under the theme "October's Wind and Busan’s New Wish." The city plans to leverage the "Shiwol" brand for coordinated marketing across international events, aiming to establish the city as a must-visit global hub this October.
A poster for the drama "Vigilante" is displayed at the Busan International Film Festival in Haeundae District, Busan, Oct. 8, 2023. Korea Times file The festival will feature diverse events such as the Busan International Film Festival, Asia.