江陵会议中心（GCO）启用，承接2026 ITS World Congress

Gangneung is stepping onto the global business events stage, driven by the opening of its first purpose-built convention facility and the successful hosting of the 2026 ITS World Congress.

The centrepiece of Gangneung’s MICE ambitions is the newly-opened Gangneung Convention Center (GCO), located inside Gangneung Olympic Park. As Gangwon State’s first purpose-built convention facility, the four-story venue spans nearly 19,000m². It features a main multipurpose hall capable of seating up to 2,100 delegates, alongside 19 flexible meeting rooms designed for breakout sessions of varying scales.

The venue made its international debut as the main stage for the 2026 ITS World Congress (October 19 to 23). Dubbed the “Transport Olympics,” the event ran under the theme Beyond Mobility, Connected World, drawing intelligent transport experts and participants from across the globe. GCO served as the hub for the congress’s core agenda, housing opening and closing ceremonies, high-level roundtables, academic sessions, and the official gala dinner. The momentum is set to continue beyond the congress, with GCO already securing a major national semiconductor conference in early 2027, and an international thin-film conference slated for 2029.

City officials and event planners are positioning Gangneung’s natural environment as its key differentiator. Designed to appeal to meeting planners seeking destinations that offer restoration and local culture, Gangneung allows delegates to transition quickly from technical sessions to outdoor escapes.

Located minutes from the convention venue, the historic Gyeongpodae Pavilion and Gyeongpo Lake offer walking trails and scenic views, while Anmok Beach features a strip of oceanfront cafés along the East Sea. Inland, the high-altitude forests of Daegwallyeong provide natural settings tailored for incentive trips and corporate retreats.

Gangneung’s push into business events builds on the infrastructure foundation established during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The city features an established network of hotels and event venues, supported by high-speed KTX rail links that connect Gangneung directly to Seoul.