Gyeongju, South Korea – The 'Local Brand Fair 2025,' a major business platform for local brands across Korea, has been officially selected for a significant government grant, securing its place as a key player in the nation's global business strategy. Organized by the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center (HICO), the event was chosen as a new regional trade exhibition under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's 2025 Domestic Exhibition Support Program.

This selection marks a significant milestone as the first local-focused event in Korea to actively invite international buyers for direct export consultations. The initiative received high praise for its innovative approach, which aims to demonstrate the global potential of local brands.

A key factor in the fair's success was its unique strategy to invite more than 10 overseas buyers from at least three different countries. These buyers will participate in one-on-one business matching sessions with local Korean brands. This distinctive "glocal" (global + local) market approach is seen as a pivotal step in creating a new business ecosystem.

The fourth annual 'Local Brand Fair' will take place over three days, from November 20 to 22, at HICO and various locations throughout Gyeongju. Under the theme "Local × AI," the event will serve as a Post-APEC event, building on the legacy of the 2025 APEC Summit by inviting buyers from key APEC member economies.

Spanning 80 brands and 180 booths, the fair will significantly enhance its B2B-focused programs to support the international expansion of local companies. These programs include:

Glocal Buyer Consultation: A dedicated export consultation session for international buyers.
Glocal Country Pavilions: Showcasing brands from different international regions.
Glocal Brand Conference: A platform for sharing insights and strategies.
Glocal Brand Night: A networking event for participants.
Overseas buyers will be meticulously matched with promising local brands based on pre-event research. The fair will introduce a performance-oriented operational system to ensure these consultations lead to concrete outcomes, such as actual store listings or contractual agreements. This system aims to transform the fair into a practical platform that connects creative local brands from Gyeongju and other parts of Korea with the global market.

Yoon Seung-hyun, President of HICO, stated, "This grant selection is more than just a win for the fair; it's a turning point that will accelerate the global expansion of Korean local brands. We are committed to developing the Local Brand Fair into a results-driven, glocal platform that connects with international distribution networks."

For more detailed information on the 'Local Brand Fair 2025,' please visit the official website at www.localbrandfair.com.

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