Tag Archive for Incheon Global Fair and Festival

CISCO Looks to Korea and Sondgo IBD

August 12, 2009 Songdo IBD in the News Comments Off on CISCO Looks to Korea and Sondgo IBD

By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Bloggerimages

I had the opportunity to meet and spend time with the Cisco team at the Songdo IBD Grand Opening last week. I also was given a VIP tour of their pavilion at the Incheon Fair.  Songdo IBD fits well with Cisco plans as noted in this PR.  I’ll share more as it unfolds.

INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA — 08/11/09 — Cisco  today announced its intention to expand its relationship with Gale International by bringing together complementary skills, capabilities and solutions to create smart, sustainable cities of the future. The collaboration combines the Cisco®Smart+Connected Communitiesvision with Gale International’s experience as a smart-city builder to provide a connected and sustainable living and working experience to communities worldwide. Cisco shares a common vision with Gale International that in cities of the future urban services will be delivered more innovatively, and cities will be managed more efficiently using technology that enables newer models of managed and hosted services within public-private partnerships.

Highlights / Key Facts:

  • Cisco is building on its collaboration with Gale International in Sondgo International Business District (IBD) and intends to jointly develop and deliver a robust, repeatable platform and transformational solution set that will help customers deploy Smart+Connected Communities solutions globally, including near-term opportunities in China.
  • In April 2009, Cisco signed a framework agreement with Gale International to establish the ‘Cisco Global Center for Smart+Connected Communities’ in Songdo IBD, a 1,500-acre new city being developed off the coast of Incheon by Gale International and POSCO E&C under the auspices of the Incheon Free Economic Authority. The same month, Cisco also announced it would work closely with Incheon Metropolitan City to develop network-enabled innovation and to support sustainable economic development in the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ).
  • The two companies intend to partner to help accelerate the development of such smart and connected cities, which will be designed to improve economic development, environmental sustainability, and the quality of life for citizens. They will also assemble a broad ecosystem of strategic design, development and technology partners to enable and drive network-enabled city-scale innovation.
  • Cisco and Gale International also today announced that they intend to collaborate on the Meixi Lake District project in Changsha, Hunan Province, China. The Meixi Lake District project will be the first city-scale development in China for Cisco and Gale International.
  • Focused on eight “tracks” within a city, Cisco’s Smart+Connected Communities initiative is designed to provide smart and connected solutions for real estate, safety and security, transportation, utilities, government, education, health care and sports.

Executive Quotes:

  • Wim Elfrink, chief globalisation officer and executive vice president, Cisco Services

“The vision for this new city is truly transformational, giving residents, businesses and government leaders within Songdo the opportunity to experience the city of the future — today. Our collaboration on Songdo IBD with Gale International is a living example of the globally replicable model we are building for Smart+Connected Communities. We are thrilled to be part of such a groundbreaking initiative, working closely with Gale International to develop new business models for managing and delivering urban services using the network as the platform for transforming cities and countries. We look forward to future visionary projects like this one, such as the efforts currently underway in Meixi Lake District in China.”

  • Stan Gale, chairman of Gale International

“We are globalizing the real estate industry by identifying and deploying integrated solutions in a unique replicable model. City-scale development must fit the needs of the visionary communities daring to undertake them. The city of Incheon is to be commended for their vision. More than a decade ago, they believed that Songdo IBD could deliver a better quality of life and deliver economic benefit to the people of Korea. We are excited about this vision and look forward to working closely with IFEZ, Cisco, and other partners to make Songdo IBD and IFEZ the successful model for sustainable cities of the future. Similarly, our next project, China’s Meixi Lake development, seeks to provide an unparalleled quality of life for its inhabitants. Gale International and Cisco, working with other global partners, such as UTC and 3M, intend to deliver sustainable, smart cities of the future that will allow those who live and work there to thrive for generations to come.”

  • The prospect of the partnership was lauded by Mayor Xie Jianhui, vice mayor of Changsha, Hunan Province

“The Meixi Lake project is central to the success of the West Changsha Pioneer Zone. Our vision for the Meixi Lake District is to create a harmonious society that integrates innovative technology with environmental and sustainable design. The involvement of Gale International, a world-class city-scale developer, and Cisco, a leader in intelligent systems, will ensure that the Meixi Lake District will become a world-class city right here in Changsha, the heart of Hunan Province.”

Chemulpo to Songdo IBD Launched in Incheon’s Historic District

August 10, 2009 Songdo IBD in the News Comments Off on Chemulpo to Songdo IBD Launched in Incheon’s Historic District

Incheon, South Korea August 11, 2009 The global launch of the pictorial history Chemulpo to Songdo IBD: Korea’s International Gateway took place on Thursday August 6 at Incheon Korea’s historic Chemulpo Club. Hosted by author Don Southerton and sponsored by Gale International, the event was attended by notables including Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo, Gale International chairman Stan Gale, and former Ambassador Donald Gregg. Also attending were local officials, Korean and American guests, and the media.

Chemulpo to Songdo IBD: Korea’s International Gateway documents 125 years of life in the port area through first hand accounts and historic photographs. Fittingly, the book’s launch was held at the foreign settlement’s former gentleman’s club, which was built in1901.

After warm opening remarks by Stan Gale, author Southerton shared his inspiration for writing the book—one built on collaboration. In fact, Southerton noted the early trade settlement and surroundings were home to Europeans, Americans, Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans. Likewise, the book was a collaboration of Korean and American teams. Building on this theme Southerton pointed out that today’s nearby Songdo International Business District (IBD) was, too, a diverse international collaboration of firms including Gale International, POSCO E&C, Kohn Pederson Fox, and most recently CISCO.

Joining Southerton on the podium, Mayor Ahn Sang-soo was presented with a copy of the book. The mayor then shared his vision for the city becoming one of the world’s top ten cities.

Following the book presentation, Southerton, conducted a tour for the American VIPs of Jayu Park and the historic Chinatown district.

Plans call for the book to be donated to Korea-focused organizations and universities in the U.S. and Korea. A full schedule of book promotion events is also planned.

An online eBook version of Southerton’s work is now available at http://chemulpotosongdoibd.com

About the Author
Don Southerton has held a life-long interest in Korea and its rich culture. His previous books center on culture, entrepreneurialism, and early U.S.-Korean business ventures. Southerton extensively writes and comments on modern Korean business culture and its impact on global organizations. His firm, Bridging Culture Worldwide, provides consulting and training to Korea-based global business.

About Gale International
Gale International is a premier international real estate investment and development company with headquarters in New York and offices in Boston; Irvine, California; Seoul and Songdo, South Korea.

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Chemulpo-to-Songdo IBD: Korea’s International Gateway Book Released

August 6, 2009 Songdo IBD in the News Comments Off on Chemulpo-to-Songdo IBD: Korea’s International Gateway Book Released

Breaking News, Songdo IBD Korea
The August 6, 2009 Korea launch of Chemulpo to Songdo IBD was attended by a huge crowd including including Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo, Stan Gale- Chairman Gale International, former Ambassador Donald Gregg, local officials, Korean and American VIP guests, and media.

The event took place in the historic former Chemulpo Club, a gentleman’s club built in 1901. Following the book presentation, author Don Southerton, conducted a tour for the American VIPs of Jayu Park and the historic Chinatown district.

MORE TO FOLLOW.

Book Preview
http://chemulpotosongdoibd.com

Author Don Southerton Announces Release of New Pictorial History Showcasing Korea’s First Trade Hub

July 30, 2009 Songdo IBD in the News One comment
Author Don Southerton

Author Don Southerton

Don Southerton announces the release of a new pictorial history titled Chemulpo to Songdo IBD: Korea’s International Gateway. The book showcases 125 years of commerce, trade, and interaction in the nation’s first foreign trade hub, Incheon. The bilingual work is author Don Southerton’s latest writing on Korea and weaves key historic events with photographs and first-hand accounts, past and present.

Located on the western coast of Korea, Incheon has played a significant role in the history of the region since the late 19th century. Once called Chemulpo, as Korea opened its borders to the West, the backwater port quickly became home to a diverse group of foreign merchants, traders, entrepreneurs, and sojourners.

A century later, under the direction of Mayor Ahn Sang-soo and the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, the city’s waterfront region is again becoming an international community and center for business and trade. The book also highlights Songdo IBD, a 10-year project being developed by Gale International and POSCO E&C.  The project seeks to make South Korea the preeminent business hub of East Asia.

Southerton notes, “With the world turning its attention to the Incheon Global Fair and Festival and the Grand Opening of Songdo International Business District sharing the port’s rich heritage is timely.”

In researching the book, the author explains, “Photographs from archives in Korea and the U.S. have been included, along with engaging stories about daily life in the port town from the past 125 years. To best showcase the port’s early progress, many of the photographs have been digitally reproduced from the original plates shot over 100 years ago.”

Finally, Southerton points out that the book shares the role of the foreign community in humanitarian efforts and the introduction of new technologies and innovations.

On August 6, 2009, a formal release will take place at the former Chemulpo Club in Incheon,  Soon after, media events will follow in the U. S.

The global release of Chemulpo to Songdo IBD: Korea’s International Gateway is sponsored by Gale International.

About the Author Don Southerton has held a life-long interest in Korea and its rich culture. His previous books center on culture, entrepreneurialism, and early U.S.-Korean business ventures. Southerton also extensively writes and comments on modern Korean business culture and its impact on global organizations. His firm, Bridging Culture Worldwide, provides consulting and training to Korea-based global business.

Media preview of the book and select photographs are available by contacting the author.

Contacts For additional information and author interviews.

Don Southerton     Dsoutherton@bridgingculture.com

+1-310-866-3777

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Great Video on Incheon Grand Bridge

June 7, 2009 general Comments Off on Great Video on Incheon Grand Bridge

By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger

Incheon Grand Bridge

Incheon Grand Bridge

Great video on the new Incheon Grand Bridge.  We expect the bridge to open in October 2009 as part of the Incheon Global Fair and Festival 80 day celebration.

Click here    Incheon Bridge

789: Incheon Global Fair and Festival

April 22, 2009 Songdo IBD in the News 3 comments

Incheon

Incheon Global Fair and Festival

By Don Southerton, Songdo IBD CityTalk Editor and Chief Blogger

Last year, I learned about 789–the  August 7, 2009 kick-off date for the Incheon Global Fair and Festival. With many activities centered in and around Songdo IBD, I follow the event. This Korea Times article notes some of the fair’s planning.

With nearly 100 days left before the kick off of the Global Fair and Festival 2009, host city Incheon’s preparations for the 80-day business fair for corporations and cities around the world have been shifted into high gear.

Songdo International City, in the west of the coastal city, and its adjacent area, is shaping up for the event, which aims at envisioning futuristic urban models, digital technologies, green energy and urban lifestyles. It will start Aug. 7 and continue until Oct. 25.

Mayor Ahn Sang-soo said, “Incheon has had few opportunities to promote itself elsewhere. This event will lay the groundwork for the city to grow into one of the 10 global cities one must visit.”

The organizing committee for the festival said construction of every venue will be completed by May. “All preparations are on track,” a committee official said.

Despite the ongoing economic slump, the committee said it’s attracting investment and raising funds as planned.

Incheon aims to draw more than seven million people from home and abroad ㅡ nearly one third of the combined population of Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and Incheon and the committee has run various promotional campaigns in cooperation with civic groups and companies.

The festival will become a venue for global firms, scholars, policymakers and urban planners to gather and discuss important issues regarding urbanization, futurism and the environment.

Incheon will continue to expand publicity for the fair via the Internet, TV and other media. “We’ll step up the promotional campaign,” the official said. “World-class cultural events will take place, various leisure activities will be available in an environmentally friendly manner and executives of multinational corporations will flock here. It will be a festival you won’t want to miss.”

The committee expects admission ticket sales to exceed 40 billion won ($33 million).

The festival will appeal to foreign tourists as the city is upgrading accommodation, transport, roads and other infrastructure for them to enjoy the festival more comfortably. “We aim to draw half a million foreign tourists, particularly from Japan, China, and the United States,” the official said.

It has formed business partnerships with travel agencies at home and abroad to attract foreign travelers and developed travel programs with itineraries including the venue.

The committee is pinning its hope on a weaker won against the dollar and other major currencies, which will help attract foreign tourists.

The city also aims to use the festival as a springboard to attract more investment into the free economic zones in the districts of Songdo, Cheongna and Yeongjong. During the festival, foreign urban planners and policymakers will be able to learn more about Incheon’s development models. The city itself will be an exhibition site, the official said.