SEOUL, KOREA -The KES, the nation’s largest consumer electronics and technology tradeshow displaying a variety of state-of-the-art electronics and IT convergence products, such as smartphones and curved UHD TVs, is to kick off with a great fanfare.
“Under the theme “Creative IT, Be in it!, the KES 2014, a festival of future-oriented creative thinking, innovative IT and cutting-edge technologies, will be held October 14-17 at KINTEX in Ilsan,” the Korea Electronics Association (KEA) said on Thursday.
Nearly 600 companies from 22 countries will take part in the KES, which has taken place annually since 1969. The 45th KES will showcase electronics and information technologies that have made our lives easier and a new lineup of products, designs and convergence contents that will further enrich our lives.
Flaunting S. Korea’s world-class smartphone and curved UHD TV technologies, this year’s KES will unveil a multitude of latest, eye-catching convergence products, such as flexible & wearable devices, smart home devices, 3D printing and a motion simulator featuring a triple monitor setup.
What’s more, roughly 2,000 electronic and information technologies, developed by 24 universities, will make their debut at the KES 2014 to actualize industry-academia collaboration, the KEA said.
Three keywords of the KES 2014: K- Here in Korea, E-Creative Ecosystem and S-Storytelling Exhibition
The KES 2014 will revolve around three keywords: K- Here in Korea (a feast of state-of-the-art technologies in S. Korea), E-Creative Ecosystem (creation of a new creative economy ecosystem based on the convergence of culture and information technologies) and S-Storytelling Exhibition (nurturing S. Korea into an IT content powerhouse through storytelling by theme).
Above all, the KES 2014 will unleash a slew of world-first innovations, such as the world's largest bendable Ultra HD TV and the largest-capacity refrigerator by Samsung Electronics; the world’s first circular smartwatch featuring an OLED display, premium cordless vacuum cleaners and UHD OLED TVs by LG Electronics; the world’s first 16-megapixel camera module by LG Innotek; and the world’s first MLCC (Ultra Small Ceramic Capacitor) using nanoparticle powder technology by Samsung Electro-Mechanics.
In order to help visitors have hands-on experiences with electronic and information technologies, Korean girl group Dal Shabet and rock bands will put on performances aided by S. Korea’s advanced audio and video systems. A variety of cultural contents is also waiting to unfold.
The KES 2014 will also shed some light on eco-friendly researches: zero carbon products, products free of harmful substances and technologies to analyze and detect harmful substances will be put on view. Experts on industry-academia collaboration from six Asian nations and four African nations will hold meetings to discuss ways to spread advanced technologies around the world and reinforce developing nations’ capabilities.
Eighteen winners of the 3rd KES Innovation Awards will be announced.
Eighteen winners of the 3rd KES Innovation Awards have been handpicked by a distinguished panel of experts in three categories: Best New Product “N”, Best Design "D" and Best Content "C". The 18 winners, developed by 16 different companies, will be displayed at the KES 2014.
Among the 18 winners are the world’s first curved UHD OLED TV by LG; the Samsung Front Load Crystal Blue Washing Machine (in category D); the Moneual Hybrid Robot Vacuum and Dry Mop Cleaner; InBody’s InKids (a portable, ultrasonic stadiometer interoperating with apps); and the KPC’s Miro Clean Pot (a humidifier that is easy to disassemble, clean and reassemble). The award-winning products are projected to become the nation’s major export items in the near future.
A great number of international buyers will pay a visit to the KES 2014. A Chinese delegation of buyers from China Telecom, Haier, ChangHong, Huawei AIGO, etc. and delegations from resource-rich Southeast Asian nations, which are keen on the development of cutting-edge high-tech industries (e.g. IT and bio industries) and high value-added services, are scheduled to visit the KES 2014.
Influential intentional buyers from nearly 20 nations will flock in droves to the KES 2014. Among them are Japanese buyers from Bandai Company (Japan's largest toy and video game company that created Gundam, Pac-Man, Tekken, Tamagotchi, etc.), global carmaker Toyota, and Panasonic; a Middle Eastern delegation comprised of buyers from Sharaf DG (the largest electronics retail chain in the Middle East) and importers of healthcare and home entertainment products; and representative from the Russian Chamber of Commerce in S. Korea.
Of the invited intentional buyers, approximately 200 genuine intentional buyers are projected to hold business meeting with domestic companies though a multi buyer-seller matching program. Deals to the tune of USD 1.8 billion are expected to be put on the table.
Luck draw events for general visitors are also in the wings to juice up the KES 2014. The raffle prizes include latest products released by Samsung and LG (such as UHD TVs, LG TROMM washers, kimchi refrigerators, the Galaxy Tab S, the Galaxy Gear S, Samsung Bubble Shot washers) and season passes to High 1 Ski Resort.
In addition, a special pavilion will be put up to allow visitor to have hands-on experiences with a four-axis motion simulator featuring a triple monitor setup (a first for the nation). And Korean girl group Dal Shabet, who has been chosen as KES Ladies, will deliver exciting flamboyant performances.
For visitors’ hassle-free access to the KES 2014, free shuttle bus services between transport hubs (e.g. Seoul Station, Yongsan Station, Hapjeong Station and Gangnam Station) and KINTEX, will be offered during the four-day event.
By Cheon Tae-un(ctu@koreaittimes.com)
