Next month the world of 3D printing — courtesy of Mediabistro and its Inside 3D Printing event series — will be coming to Seoul, South Korea for the first time ever. To simply say that those who live here, or are planning to travel to Korea for the show, are excited would be a gross understatement.The people we have spoken to, including exhibitors, enthusiasts, business leaders, and the general public…have all expressed their anticipation and hopes about learning more about the technology and what it can do.
This show, which, according to Mediabistro’s CEO, Alan Meckler, is shaping up to be the biggest Inside 3D Printing show to date, is scheduled for this June 12-13th. Indeed, it is shaping up to be a “must see” event for anyone interested in 3D printing and its future in this region. The scale alone is impressive. So far, with the show still a few weeks away, it already has over 5,000 pre-registered visitors, and the exhibitions are going to cover more than 500 square feet of floor space. And they are still, at last word, adding more exhibitors. For comparison, the Inside 3D Printing Convention and Expo in New York City this past April had a total of 4,000 visitors and covered 400 square meters of floor space.
The Korean edition of Inside 3D Printing will do what this series does best and focus on developments in the region providing specific relevance for exhibitors and visitors alike, while also providing a global context. Highlights include: Daniel Thomsen, General Manager of Stratasys Korea Ltd, Wim Michiels, CEO at Materialise Malaysia and Seok-Hwan You, Founder and CEO, ROKIT.
For the uninitiated, and sometimes even for the experienced, Korea can be a country of contradictions. It is a place of amazing industrial and technological achievements, and yet is also an ancient land steeped in rich culture and history. At this show these contradictions will play well for visitors, allowing them the unique opportunity of seeing both the very newest right alongside the very old, and taking away an experience that they will long remember.
In addition to the sights and sounds at the show, visitors will be right in the heart of Seoul, one of the most dynamic and exciting cities of the world! With its outstanding public transportation system(s), ground transport is no problem, whether going from the airport to your hotel, or from your hotel to the convention center…or for touring around the city’s sights. There are literally dozens of things to see and do, everything from exploring historical palaces to discovering the treasures of the traditional markets. From trying authentic Korean food to shopping in the latest fashion houses, you may find that you simply do not have enough time to do all the things you will want to. Guests would be well advised to allow themselves an extra day or two to explore this amazing place. For a few travel hints and ideas, check out some of the many websites and blogs that specialize in Korean travel and lifestyles. Some of our favorite sites include both Seoulistic and our favorite ex-pat in residence, Steve Miller (aka The Qiranger). Both of these sites offer a wealth of information for newbie visitors and will help you maximize your experiences while visiting this fascinating place.
After the event, we will bring you a full run down of the two days and our own highlights.
