In recent years, the ice and snow economy, represented by ice and snow consumption and sports, has been rapidly gaining momentum. With the successful bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics and the drive to achieve the goal of “getting 300 million people involved in ice and snow sports,” winter sports have become hugely popular in China. It is estimated that during the 2021–2022 ice and snow season, China will see 340 million ice and snow tourists, generating 680 billion yuan in tourism revenue.
Harbin boasts abundant ice and snow tourism resources, and its “one-to-two-hour economic circle” radiating outward can cover a population of 10 to 20 million. According to the “Notice of the Provincial Department of Education on Carrying Out the Selection of ‘Ice and Snow Characteristic Schools’ in Heilongjiang Province” (Hei Jiao Ti Han [2017] No. 510), 42 primary and secondary schools in Harbin have been proposed for recognition as Heilongjiang Provincial Ice and Snow Characteristic Schools. Ice and snow sports enjoy unique natural advantages and broad public support in the Ice City of Harbin.
The 2020 Harbin Cold Region Expo and the First Harbin Ice and Snow Apparel and Equipment Expo (referred to as the Winter Expo), hosted by the People’s Government of Harbin Municipality and organized by the Harbin Municipal Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, will be held from January 5 to 7, 2020, at the Harbin International Convention and Exhibition Center.
The Winter Expo will cover a total exhibition area of 12,000 square meters and will be organized around two major themes: “Ice and Snow Fashion” and “Ice and Snow Sports.” It is expected to attract 150,000 professional visitors. The Ice and Snow Fashion theme has received strong support from key winter apparel hubs such as Xinji, Haining, Yulin, and Qinghe. Well-known domestic and international companies including Bosideng, Nanjiren, Moncler, The North Face, ALPINE PRO, HMR, and Onyone have already confirmed their participation in the Winter Expo.
The Ice and Snow Sports theme has garnered strong backing from renowned ski resorts and ice and snow equipment manufacturers both in China and abroad, including the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, Harbin Wanda Ski Park, Yabuli International Ski Resort, Chongli Wanlong Ski Resort, Zhangjiakou Saibei Ski Resort, Cabrin Ski, Longjiang Ice and Snow, Head, Atomic, Volkl, and K2 SPORT. Additionally, countries such as Finland, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Italy will also organize delegations related to ice and snow sports to participate in the Winter Expo.
In addition to exhibitions, the event will also feature a variety of activities such as new product launches, brand fashion shows, and project contract signings. Of particular note, to accelerate the development of the ice and snow equipment industry, ensure the success of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and contribute to building a strong sports nation, the organizing committee will invite 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics champion Zhang Hong to attend the expo. She will join guests in witnessing the unveiling of 3D-printed ice skates and other related ice and snow equipment products.
Olympic champions, globally pioneering technology, and product launches during the exhibition period are set to be major highlights of the expo. Visitors will not only have the opportunity to meet Olympic champions up close but also witness the global debut of 3D-printed ice and snow equipment technology during the event.
The hosting of the 2020 Harbin Cold Region Expo and the First Harbin Ice and Snow Apparel and Equipment Expo will provide strong support for accelerating the high-quality development of the ice and snow equipment industry, ensuring the success of the Beijing Winter Olympics, promoting the development of the ice and snow economy in Harbin and cold regions, and cultivating a robust domestic ice and snow consumption market.