Convention Center for 'ITS World Congress' Completed as Final Preparations Underway

[Anchor]

There are now less than 100 days left until the opening of the 2026 ITS World Congress, often referred to as the Olympics of the transportation world. The atmosphere is heating up as the convention center being built in the Gangneung Olympic Park area nears completion, and promotional materials for the congress are being installed across the region.

Here is a report by G1 reporter Kim Ki-tae.

[Reporter]

A grand convention center has emerged near the Gangneung Olympic Park.

This will be the main stage for the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress, which will be held this coming October.

The convention center, which has seen an investment of 125 billion won since 2022, spans an area of 18,967 square meters with one basement level and four floors above ground, featuring a convention hall and meeting rooms.

Most of the construction is finished, and the facility is scheduled to hold a completion ceremony next month following final site cleanup and inspections.

Starting with the completion of the convention center, Gangneung City plans to accelerate its efforts in inspecting ITS infrastructure and conducting promotional activities.

Promotional materials for the event are being installed not only around City Hall but also on major roads throughout the region to boost public participation and interest.

Smart pedestrian systems, real-time traffic signal operations, and smart bus stops currently being built in the city center will be fully operational before the congress begins.

In September, one month before the congress, an academic conference by the Korean Society of Transportation will also be held to inspect the overall event operations, including facilities and convention infrastructure.

[Interview: Lim Sin-hyeok / Head of ITS Promotion Division, Gangneung City: The construction of the convention center has been completed according to the planned schedule. As the event is now about three months away, we will concentrate all our administrative capabilities and do our best to create the greatest event in history together with our citizens.]

The 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress will be held from October 19 to 23 in the Gangneung Olympic Park area, with 200,000 participants from 90 countries expected to attend.

(Video coverage: Shin Ik-gyun, G1)

G1 Kim Ki-tae

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