Former COEX President Dongwon Lee Appointed President of EXCO

[Financial News, Daegu = Reporter Jang-wook Kim] EXCO is stepping up efforts to transform itself into a 'digital-based global exhibition and convention center' by appointing a new leader.
EXCO finalized the appointment of former COEX President Dongwon Lee as its new president and representative director at a shareholders' meeting held on the 30th. The new representative director will serve a two-year term beginning Oct. 1.
Lee is scheduled to officially take office on Oct. 1 and begin managing EXCO in earnest.
Lee is widely recognized as a leading expert in MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) and marketing, having served as president and representative director of COEX, chairman of the Korea Exhibition Industry Promotion Association, and an executive vice president at LG Ad.
EXCO explained that Lee was selected because his extensive hands-on experience and broad expertise made him the right person to raise EXCO's exhibition competitiveness to the next level, stabilize the organization and lead its global expansion.
In particular, during his 32 years at LG Ad, he oversaw advertising for the Seoul Olympics and the World Cup, as well as campaigns in leading international media outlets such as Time, Newsweek and CNN, showcasing world-class marketing. In recognition of his contribution to expanding national and corporate brands, he received the Presidential Industrial Service Medal in 2017.
After moving to COEX as president, Lee successfully led more than 200 exhibitions a year. He also planned various cultural events, including C-Festival, Travel Festival and COEX Winter Festival, transforming the outdoor spaces around COEX into multifaceted cultural venues.
He also demonstrated innovative management capabilities by pioneering the introduction of large-scale digital signage inside the building and transforming the space into a cutting-edge digital showcase.
Lee said in his inauguration remarks, "I will make full use of the MICE and marketing experience I have built up in the field to dramatically raise EXCO's expertise in exhibition planning and operations," adding, "By actively integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies into the exhibition and convention industry, I will transform EXCO into a competitive, forward-looking convention center and use it to inject new vitality into the Daegu regional economy."
Meanwhile, EXCO conducted an open recruitment process to select its new president and representative director. Following a first-round document screening and a second-round interview, the candidate was recommended by the executive recommendation committee and underwent deliberation and approval by the board of directors.

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