A new chapter in central Taiwan’s global ambitions has begun with the launch of trial operations at the Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center (TICEC), according to several media reports. Situated in the Shuinan Economic and Trade Park, the venue is designed to serve as a gateway between Taiwan’s industrial clusters and international markets.
The timing is deliberate. Taiwan’s export-driven mid-sized manufacturers face a challenging environment, from weakened global demand to geopolitical frictions and new tariffs on certain American-bound goods. The hardware, aerospace, machinery and bicycle industries clustered around Taichung are particularly exposed to international cycles. Policymakers hope that easier access for buyers, tighter integration of trade fairs with factory visits and a smoother route to global promotion will help these sectors defend and grow their share of world markets.
During trial operations, the Taiwan International Hardware & Tools Expo is the first test. It brings together hundreds of exhibitors and visitors representing dozens of countries. Local officials view the event as a practical demonstration of how TICEC could support industrial diplomacy: showcasing competitive strengths while nurturing new business relationships.
TICEC itself is built to impress. The centre can host large-format exhibitions and conferences with more than 12,000 attendees. Its design follows high environmental standards, with solar installations, energy-efficient systems and digital services such as AI navigation and multilingual assistance. Accessibility has also been prioritised, with metro connections and links to Taichung Airport and Taichung Port.
From November through 2026, the events calendar will pivot toward the machine-tool and smart-manufacturing sectors—industries regarded as the backbone of Taiwan’s industrial modernisation. More than 50 trade fairs and consumer events are already pencilled in for next year alone.
Business leaders regard the project as more than a new building. It represents a shift in balance: central Taiwan, long overshadowed by Taipei’s established exhibition infrastructure, now has the capacity to attract global buyers and host its own headline events. For the region’s industrial base, that shift may prove useful in an era defined as much by supply-chain resilience and near-shoring as by innovation.
Whether TICEC will influence Taichung Bike Week 2026 remains unclear. But expectations are growing that the new venue could eventually reshape how international cycling business gets done in Taiwan’s industrial heartland.