WANDO, South Korea, April 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- South Korea's first international seaweed-themed expo on Wando island is undergoing the finishing touches before its opening one week from now, organizers said on Friday.
The Wando Seaweeds Expo 2014 will open on the island off the country's southeastern coast on April 11 for a month-long run under the theme of "seaweeds and their role in mankind's future."
The expo's main exhibition hall was opened to the press for the first time on Thursday, the organizing committee said, adding that it is in the final stage of fine-tuning other venues and security measures.
The exhibition hall, decorated with a floral path leading up to the building, will host some 60 companies from more than 20 countries showcasing new technologies, products, materials and services related to the seaweed industry.
"The successful hosting of the expo is important, but the true goal of the event is fostering the development of the seaweed industry," Kim Jong-sik, the governor of Wando, told the press.
Besides the company hall, the main exhibition hall also has "experience sites," where visitors can touch and see various seaweeds such as kelp, sea mustard and laver.
There will be various workshops, exhibitions and forums held during the 31-day expo, including discussions among experts and officials from companies dealing with the marine plants about the future course of the seaweed industry.
The number of attendees is expected to top the goal of 700,000, the committee said, as 500,000 advance tickets have already been sold. They also said the expo will be a great opportunity to explore Wando since ticket holders are entitled to free admission to tourist attractions near the island.
