About TECA

Review of the Post-Pandemic Era in 2024

In 2024, the world economy thrived as AI rapidly boomed, and the high-tech industry experienced unprecedented prosperity following the aftermath of the Covid pandemic. The global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry also made a strong recovery. Busy commercial activities took center stage, replacing the disruptions caused by the Covid crisis and drawing people’s attention. Meanwhile, businesses of all sizes struggled with labor and talent shortages, a challenge that spanned across industries worldwide in the post-Covid era. Companies found themselves searching for where to find the right talent to meet their needs. On the other hand, the global geopolitical landscape, which had begun shifting in 2018 during President Trump's first term, continued to stir the world. In 2025, President Trump further reshaped the global order at the start of his second term. He surprised the world with astonishing news on a regular basis, making each day feel like a thrilling and unsettling journey, akin to venturing down a dangerous trail in a dark tunnel.

"To gain talent is to gain the world."

Given the global environment, Taiwan's MICE industry faces numerous challenges ahead. Among these, the most critical is the issue of talent acquisition, as skilled manpower is essential for driving the industry's long-term development. In recent years, I have led the Taiwan Exhibition & Convention Association in bridging the gap between universities and industries to address the labor shortage. For example, in the workshop "The Industry to Create Miracles and Make Dreams Come True—A Workshop for the MICE Industry," held at Tamkang University, we invited distinguished entrepreneurs to share their experiences in MICE practices and interact with students face-to-face. These workshops also serve as a platform to explore, educate, and recruit talent for the MICE industry. It is noteworthy that in 2024, our association successfully helped over 20 students secure jobs in the MICE sector.

"Leverage geopolitical dynamics to seize opportunities."

Additionally, due to the impact of Trump's tariff policy, companies around the world, especially manufacturers, faced pressure to accelerate the relocation of their factories. For Taiwanese businesses, as they adjusted their global presence, structural changes in Taiwan's main export markets became evident. Historically, Taiwan relied heavily on China and Hong Kong as primary destinations for its exports. However, since 2018, Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Mexico have gradually emerged as key new export destinations. By 2025, Taiwanese companies have increasingly shifted their global focus toward the United States. MICE industry professionals, particularly those involved in international exhibitions, should closely monitor these shifts in export markets and take strategic action to stay ahead of competitors and seize emerging opportunities.

Taiwan's MICE industry is accelerating its development, leveraging its well-established infrastructure.

Even though the world is still navigating turbulence and facing a shortage of talented manpower, Taiwan’s MICE facilities, thanks to efforts made before the Covid pandemic by the Taiwan International Trade Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, have continued to be completed one after another. Furthermore, the "Taiwan Business Events Corridor" will be officially completed by the end of 2025, connecting eight major exhibition centers across Taiwan, including Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1 and Hall 2 ( TaiNEX Hall and Hall 2), Taipei World Trade Center ( TWTC ), Taipei International Convention Center ( TICC ), Messe Taoyuan, Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center, ICC Tainan, and Kaohsiung Exhibition Center. The Corridor will not only link MICE clusters and boost urban development but also help Taiwan become an attractive MICE destination for international visitors. In my opinion, Taiwan’s MICE industry is growing steadily and is on track toward its golden age. However, whether a company can truly capitalize on opportunities amid global turmoil still depends heavily on the leadership and management of its leaders. Therefore, how to strategically deploy and expand at the right time to seize business opportunities will be the most important challenge and opportunity in 2025.

President Chiu, Hui-Li