Taiwan Industry Week 2025

The big turn

In Taiwan, dynamism is not just an empty word. Indeed, the Republic of China is now a major player in the global economy across many sectors, proving it to the world every day, thanks in particular to its exceptional expertise in cutting-edge technologies, which most companies worldwide can no longer do without. But those who can do the most can also do the least, and its industrial base demonstrates this by developing in all areas. This was demonstrated by the organizers of a highly innovative event in the strategically important city of Taichung, during days that marked a very innovative and original approach to the world of trade shows. All of this certainly warrants explanation.

Table of Contents

It all began a few years ago with an event called the Taiwan Hardware Show, dedicated to tools and, by extension, to DIY and gardening in all its forms. It was a challenge, however, not an easy one to overcome, given the sometimes uncooperative nature of its neighbors, and whose sheer size could be discouraging, especially since this same neighbor was organizing a show in the same niche, commensurate with the country's size. This didn't discourage Kaigo, the organizer, under the leadership of the very dynamic Gerd Keim, who laid the foundations of the show without being intimidated. On the contrary, stimulated by this potentially overwhelming presence, the teams in charge launched what would become a major event in the industry, with a very specific philosophy: to showcase the expertise of Taiwan's tool industry in all its forms on an annual platform. The event was an immediate success, living up to the organizers' ambitions, and the foundations were laid. It must be said, however, that the Kaigo teams knew what they were doing and didn't choose this sector by chance. Indeed, the professional and consumer tool industry is particularly dynamic throughout the country, and the overall quality of its production is recognized worldwide. "Made in Taiwan" is not a myth or a slogan that came out of nowhere. Domestic production is internationally acclaimed.

A high level of expertise

However, this highly positive image wasn't built overnight. It's the result of research and development efforts, the kind Taiwan is known for. Manufacturers have never spared any effort in this area, which is actually very strategic, because nothing can be built or repaired without tools in all their forms and aspects. The fact remains that the manufactured products have earned a very good reputation for their reliability and manufacturing quality. So much so that this reputation has crossed borders and added to the positive image associated with everything produced in the country industrially. However, it's important to understand that this reputation didn't appear out of thin air. It's also the result of joint efforts with government authorities who have strongly encouraged and supported this expertise, which is now recognized worldwide. Indeed, exporting is now the objective of business leaders, professional associations, and, of course, manufacturers themselves. The underlying reason is simple. Taiwan is too limited, both territorially and demographically, to generate significant demand conducive to the emergence of companies large enough to compete globally, even though domestic demand remains substantial. However, it is well known that neighboring China possesses the considerable resources and fiercely competitive costs it commands. Faced with this challenge, local manufacturers have equipped themselves by creating genuine clusters capable of streamlining costs, particularly in logistics management—a sector that is especially critical for export-oriented companies, which is precisely the case in Taiwan. These clusters have established themselves in and around major cities. Two of them have fulfilled this integration mission: Kaohsiung and Taichung, each specializing in different sectors. Today, however, Taichung has become the beating heart and, consequently, the economic and industrial center of the country. While it may not be a tourist paradise, it has become the most economically dynamic city. A constantly growing number of businesses have established themselves there or are in the process of doing so. As a result, its attractiveness continues to expand, and everything is designed to facilitate this growth. The industrial zones are modern and easily accessible thanks to well-planned urban development that provides convenient access for visitors, notably through road infrastructure and the famous high-speed rail station.

Taiwan Industry Week 2025

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Audacity as a banner

In the context of planned development, it seemed obvious to the Kaigo teams that Taichung was the ideal launching pad for the 2025 edition of Taiwan Industry week. This decision was not a unilateral choice by the organizers but the result of discussions with the exhibiting companies, a number of which are based in the city. These companies wanted to allow visitors to tour their facilities to showcase their production equipment or simply to engage in business exchanges and meetings. It is this close proximity that led the organizers to choose Taichung as the launchpad for the 2026 edition of Taiwan Industry week which now aims to be more than just a trade show, but a showcase for a portion of the country's economic sector. The gamble taken by the team led by Alexander Keim and his staff is particularly bold, as the core idea is to go far beyond the existing offerings, welcoming even more exhibitors from all sectors of the country's activity, provided they align with what was offered on the platform. Given these circumstances, and based on what we saw during these days and heard from the organizers, is it still possible to speak of a traditional trade show limited to specific sectors? The answer is no. Moreover, the event's name is quite explicit. The THS, The original concept of the event has been superseded by a week dedicated to industry. Consequently, the potential for development is considerable, given the significant number of industrial sectors in which Taiwan is involved and successful, while advanced technology serves as the benchmark for everything manufactured there. However, the organizers are not doing things haphazardly. They possess a structure built up over the years that allows for the development of the concept in a highly credible manner, as we witnessed during our visit to the 2026 edition, which was a resounding success, confirming the validity of the concept and allowing for great expectations for the years to come.

A coherent offer

Indeed, starting with a platform dedicated to tools, hardware, and DIY, Kaigo has built, year after year, a hub where different sectors, aligned with market trends, have integrated. So much so that today there are four of these sectors under one roof, while each retaining its own identity. They are:
Taiwan Hardware Show (THS). Founded in 2001, THS is the leading platform for the hardware and tool industry in Taiwan. It was the driving force behind this venture and remains the driving force behind the operation. It was responsible for the idea of allowing visits to manufacturing facilities and, consequently, for bringing the event to Taichung, a city that symbolizes the nation's industrial dynamism. However, this situation is about to change; we'll discuss this further later.
Then came 2015 International Metal Technology Taiwan (IMT) It is the only trade show in Taiwan covering the entire value chain of the metallurgy industry. The 2025 edition, marking its 10th edition, recorded record participation and a high rate of repeat business.
Then, in 2023, was born Taiwan Occupational Safety (T-SAFE) By 2025, it had become the leading trade fair for occupational safety and health. Its immersive demonstration area strengthened the engagement of visitors and international brands.
Finally, in 2024, the acronym for Refrigeration & HVAC Taiwan (RHVAC) has quickly established itself as the leading event for refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation technologies, with a re-registration rate already exceeding 90% for 2026.

Bet won

So that's the offer as of today, and it must be said that success is the result, as demonstrated by the key figures, the most significant of which are listed below:

311 exhibitors, 70% of whom renewed their participation for 2026 within a week of the event
29,025 visits
16% of international visitors from 71 countries
228 exhibitor-buyer meetings
More than 400 VIP delegates and representatives of industry associations.

The B2B performance is no less impressive, with:

228 exhibitor-buyer meetings
5 to 6 meetings on average per exhibitor
92.3% exhibitor satisfaction
96.6% of meetings are expected to result in sales follow-up or orders.

These results clearly demonstrate two distinct elements. First, the visitor attendance targets demonstrate the appeal of this unique event, with the satisfaction of seeing a significant increase in international visitors, which was one of the organizers' major objectives. Exhibitors also responded enthusiastically, but above all, they achieved a remarkable 92.3% satisfaction rating. And that's not all: 47 forums, seminars, and demonstrations were organized, featuring 43 international speakers, and 750 participants attended on-site events. These days were truly enriching, but all of this was achieved through considerable preparation, including:

1.9 million unique visitors to the official website
8.4 million emails sent with an average conversion rate of 11.78%
10.7 million ad impressions and over 230,000 clicks.

In conclusion, and beyond the more than satisfactory raw figures across all areas, it is clear that the concept of a combined networking platform and industry week is a true success, opening many doors and opportunities. The Kaigo organizers have therefore reached a new milestone this year. To optimize this development and attract new participants to this model, the 2026 edition will take place in Taipei, enabling even faster growth and further internationalization.

Encounter

Alexandre Keim, CEO of Kaigo: "We're not going to stop there."

Trade Shows Mag : This 2025 edition seems to satisfy you…
Alexander Keim : Absolutely, and how could I not be? All the indicators are positive and our objectives have been met. I see that the Industry Week concept has found its niche.

This mix, showcasing national expertise and facilitating B2B meetings, has clearly found its audience and momentum. We had already observed the interest in our event before its opening, during our work in the marketing field. The number of clicks on our website is proof of this. And then there are statistics that are particularly gratifying, such as the visitor satisfaction rating. Clearly, this 2025 edition inspires us to be optimistic about our future projects.

Trade Shows Mag : Why choose Taichung? Isn't Taipei the more suitable location?
Alexander Keim : Taichung is the economic and industrial heart of Taiwan, and a significant number of participants are based there. These people have trusted us for a long time. They have always supported the evolving Taiwan Industry Week concept. However, they wanted visitors to be able to meet them at their own sites. We granted their request without hesitation. Nevertheless, please note that the 2026 edition will take place in Taipei, and they will support us in our return to the capital, aware that we are about to reach a new level, particularly with our ambition to develop our position as an international platform.

Trade Shows Mag : Any plans for next year?
Alexander Keim : Absolutely. We're brimming with new ideas to continuously improve the concept, and we're working on it. Our long-term goal is to welcome new industrial sectors to our event. We showcase Taiwan's industrial and technological expertise. Therefore, there's a significant opportunity.
There's potential for growth, and we certainly don't intend to stop now. TIW is an evolving event by definition.