Posters, promo videos and a marathon all organized for BIE

Industry

Posters, promo videos and a marathon all organized for BIE

Published: 03 Apr. 2023, 18:11 Updated: 03 Apr. 2023, 19:08

Samsung Electronics put up banners with the message "World Expo 2030 Busan, Korea" at seven of its branches in Busan from Monday. Employees pose with the banner at the Saha branch on Monday. [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

Big companies in and outside of Korea — such as Samsung Electronics and Mercedes-Benz — bolstered their support for Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030 Monday as the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) delegation kicked off an on-site inspection in the city.

The delegation was welcomed with a number of banners erected by businesses which also hosted promotional and charity events that centered around the capital city of Seoul, where the BIE team spent its first two days.

Efforts in the port city are also evident. Samsung Electronics put up massive banners with the message “World Expo 2030 Busan, Korea: Samsung Electronics supports the bid to host the Busan World Expo 2030” at seven store branches in Busan — Gwangan, Gupo, Daeyeon, Dongrae, Saha, Centum and Haeundae.

The company is also promoting its latest Galaxy S23 series with new ads at major bus stops in Busan.

The banners will also be erected in Seoul such as at the Yongsan branch of the company's store, as well as at Shinsegae Department Store in Jung District, central Seoul and Incheon International Airport.

Mercedes-Benz Korea's CEO Thomas Klein, third from right, poses for the camera at the marathon held in Busan on Sunday to support the city's bid. [MERCEDES-BENZ KOREA]

Mercedes-Benz Korea held a marathon across Busan’s landmark Gwangan Bridge to support the city’s bid on Sunday. It was the first large-scale marathon to be held since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 18,000 people participated in the race. The company donated 1 billion won ($760,075) to support children in need and adolescents from low-income households. Mercedes-Benz Korea’s CEO Thomas Klein donated half of amount to fund educational and medical expenses of underprivileged adolescents in the southern city.

A promotional video by Hyundai Motor Group surpassed 19 million views on YouTube, according to the company Sunday. Hyundai Motor released the promotional video to rally support for Busan’s bid to host the World Expo.

The video was released on March 26 ahead of an on-site visit by the inspection team from BIE, which is scheduled from April 2 to 7.

Titled “Busan citizens invite you all,” the promotional video features local residents introducing the port city’s attractions and strengths in 15 languages of BIE member countries, including English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Czech and Greek.

LG Electronics put up electronic displays supporting the bid at various destinations where the delegation will visit, including at Incheon International Airport, Seoul Station and Gimhae International Airport.

The delegation arrived at Incheon International Airport on Sunday. The inspection team will head to Busan on a KTX train Tuesday, and exit Korea through Gimhae International Airport on Friday.

LG affiliates such as LG U+, LG Household & Health Care are also putting up banners, as well as posters, at their branches nationwide. The latter will run a discount event in line with the team’s visit from Tuesday to Saturday at 400 of its branches nationwide.

LG HelloVision will play a promotional video containing messages from Korean citizens who support the World Expo bid at Signiel Busan hotel, one of hotel brands run by Lotte Hotel & Resort and where the team will stay during its visit to Busan.

Shinsegae is displaying promotional banners at the Busan branches of its department stores, as well as at the Westin Chosun Busan and Emart Haeundae.

The company also showcased the promotional video via electronic displays at its Starfield branches nationwide, Shinsegae Duty Free Store’s Myeongdong branch in central Seoul and Shinsegae Central City in southern Seoul.

Shinhan Securities released its promotional video to support Busan's World Expo 2030 bid. [SHINHAN SECURITIES]

A promotional video from Shinhan Securities titled "We Hope Together" is being played on buses and subways nationwide. Like LG, the financial firm will display the video at places where the delegation will visit, including Incheon International Airport.

The team visited Gwanghwamun Square on Monday evening for the Light It Up Expo, a 5-day outdoor exhibition event organized by the Busan Expo bidding committee which kicked off Thursday in Seoul.

Samsung Electronics, LG, Hyundai Motor Group, SK, Shinsegae, CJ ENM and SPC each showcased their latest products and technologies at the event, along with the Busan City Government and Busan Tourism Organization. Most of the companies are part of the private-sector Busan Expo bidding committee, formed in May last year.

LG displayed its Omnipod self-driving vehicle, which was first introduced at CES 2022 last year. The autonomous driving vehicle represents a next-generation technology that may come to reality in 2030, explained an LG employee.

A gaming experience zone with LG’s organic light-emitting diode screens was also on show.

SK showcased its battery technologies and also offered visitors a chance to spin a wheel and win a prize.

The Expo Dream Expedition visited Suncheon in North Jeolla on Friday as part of its tour to promote Busan's bid for World Expo 2030. [YONHAP]

The Expo Dream Expedition, consisting of 10 young Busan citizens, is touring across the country nationwide to promote the bid. The tour kicked off on March 29 and the members are conducting various events such as flash mob dances to singer Lee Mu-jin’s song “Welcome to Expo.” The team toured Seoul, Suncheon, Gwangju and Daejeon and will head back to Busan from Tuesday in line with the delegation’s on-site visit.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]