In early winter, Shanghai MICEEInstitute(SMI) celebrated its 10th birthday. On December 5, 2021, one day before the 10th anniversary, SMI held its "10th Anniversary Celebration Academic Salon" with the theme of "Ten Years of Accumulation and Achievements" at the Think Tank Building of Shanghai University Baoshan Campus. Guests gathered with faculty and students of the Institute to share the fruitful achievements over the past decade. Mr. Sha Hailin, Former Vice Chairman of Shanghai Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee and Honorary Dean of SMI; Dr. Li Qingjuan, Director of Think Tank Center of Fudan University Fanhai International School of Finance and Founding Executive Dean of SMI; Professor Wang Jian, Deputy Director of Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at Shanghai University; Professor Yan Sangu, Dean of School of Journalism and Communication at Shanghai University; Professor Zhang Min, Executive Dean of SMI and Shanghai University School of Journalism and Communications; Professor Hu Ping, Founder of Exhibition Major at East China Normal University and Chairman & GM of ECNU Asset Management Co., Ltd.; Mr. Wan Tao, Founder & CEO of 31Meetings, a leading domestic enterprise in exhibition digital services; Teacher Sun Qiyue, Deputy Director of Faculty Work Department at Shanghai University and alumnus of SMI; Associate Professor Niu Panqiang, Concurrently Appointed Vice Dean of Shanghai University School of Journalism and Communication; Associate Professor Zhao Jinquan, teacher representative of SMI; alumni representatives Nie Xinyan, Ji Xinyuan, Wang Qingxuan, Lan Xiaodan; nearly forty postgraduate and undergraduate student representatives of Shanghai University Exhibition Major attended the 10th anniversary academic salon.
The warm-up video with the theme of "Ten Years Reunion, Forging Ahead, Accumulating Achievements, Serving Society" was played on site. SMI (SMI) is a specialized exhibition research institution jointly established by Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Industries Association (SCEIA) and Shanghai University under the cooperation framework between the ministry and the city. Its predecessor was Shanghai University Exhibition Communication Research Center established in 2005. With the mission of "serving the development of exhibition industry, promoting the growth of new disciplines, and building a national exhibition research base", the Institute is committed to talent cultivation, knowledge innovation and social service. In the past decade, it has achieved remarkable effectiveness, exemplified by the "three bases" and "nine firsts": basically completed the construction of bases for high-level scarce talent, exhibition industry development consulting center, and national exhibition research base; planned and demonstrated the feasibility of the world's largest exhibition venue, the first China International Import Expo(CIIE) implementation plan and related research, edited the first Blue Book of MICEE Industry, participated in the first provincial exhibition industry legislation, presided over the first provincial exhibition industry planning, established the first national exhibition research base co-built by ministry and city, set up the first undergraduate interdisciplinary exhibition major, achieved the first postgraduate enrollment in exhibition studies, and gathered the most distinctive faculty team in communication studies. With warm applause, all celebrated the 10-year journey and achievements of SMI.
After the warm-up video, the host announced the official start of the academic salon and introduced the distinguished guests. Congratulatory videos from government, industry, academia, research and all walks of life were then played, celebrating the 10th birthday of the Institute. In the video, Professor Zhang Min gave a speech on the 10 years of growth of the Institute and put forward expectations and prospects for future work. Leaders of China Exhibition Economy Research Association, China Exhibition Education Society, exhibition teachers from universities across China, teacher representatives of Shanghai University Exhibition Major, alumni representatives who graduated from the Institute over the years sent sincere blessings from all over the country.
In the guest speech session, Mr. Sha Hailin, founder and creator of SMI, former Vice Chairman of Shanghai Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee, and Honorary Dean of SMI, was the first to give a speech. Mr. Sha was delighted to participate in the 10th anniversary celebration of the Institute. He marveled that time flies, dedication is valuable. Over the past decade under the leadership of Professor Zhang Min, the Institute has achieved outstanding results and made prominent contributions to the development of exhibition industry in Shanghai and even across China. General Secretary Xi proposed smooth domestic and international dual circulations. In this trend, the exhibition industry should give full play to its role in exchange and communication, and take initiative to serve national strategies and economic and social development. As a strategic platform and important measure for urban and national development, exhibition activities have effectively served the transformation and upgrading of tertiary industry, driving the development of industrial chains such as transportation, telecommunications, tourism, catering, accommodation, advertising, etc. Exhibition research was perhaps still a vague concept ten years ago. Now it has flourished with abundant achievements. Mr. Sha pointed out that SMI now needs to strengthen publicity and promotion, increase social popularity, enhance cognition at all levels domestically and internationally, establish the overall, leading strategic platform role of exhibition activities and their social and scientific foundations; improve the standards of exhibition research and teaching, think tank construction and service capabilities, as well as the capabilities to undertake national strategies, government projects and corporate consulting, with particular emphasis on further strengthening database construction and promoting digitalization; and hopes that the Institute can widely gather exhibition talents from China and abroad to cultivate more new forces in the exhibition field, providing continuous human resources support for the high-level international competition of the international exhibition capital. The exhibition industry will continue to develop its sunshine industry advantages in the future, unleash huge social potential, lead innovation in production and lifestyles, and promote economic and social development and the goal of building a community with a shared future.
Professor Wang Jian, Deputy Director of Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at Shanghai University, delivered a speech on behalf of the university. Professor Wang warmly congratulated SMI on its 10th anniversary and sincerely thanked the Institute for its outstanding contributions to school and university development. Professor Wang pointed out that SMI is a focus of the university's think tank construction and humanities development. It was among the first batch of think tanks to move into the Think Tank Building among over 200 think tanks at the university and school levels. Next, the university will optimize think tank construction on campus from four aspects: "professional staffing, external cooperation expansion, data and intelligence support, and new humanities construction". It is expected that SMI will become a backbone for the new humanities construction at Shanghai University.
Professor Yan Sangu, Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication, summarized his blessings for SMI with four key words: "congratulations, thanks, glory and re-glory". He sincerely congratulated SMI on its 10th birthday; at the same time thanked the Institute for its contributions to the exhibition industry in Shanghai and China, thanked the university's Department of Humanities and Social Sciences for their guidance and assistance to the Institute, thanked the government competent departments and related cooperative units for their understanding and support of the Institute's work, and thanked Professor Zhang Min and team members for their unrelenting efforts and perseverance over the past decade, adding bricks and tiles to the development of exhibition industry in Shanghai and China. The Institute has made remarkable achievements in the past decade, exemplified by the "three bases" and "nine firsts". Today, everyone gathered together to witness the past glory of the Institute. In the future, with the joint efforts of the Institute's faculty and students, SMI will surely achieve re-glory.
Professor Zhang Min, Executive Dean of SMI, sincerely thanked the leaders, guests, dear teachers and students for attending. Based on the Institute's tradition, epidemic prevention and control requirements, and temporary difficulties facing the current exhibition industry, it was decided that the 10th anniversary celebration would be internal-focused, small-scale and low-key, without involving leaders, and held in the conference room. This event was proposed, organized and handled by the students of the Institute. It is an affectionate, joyful, united and progressive birthday PARTY. Thanks to the students for their enthusiasm for the cause and talent contributions, thanks to the leaders and guests for their understanding, support and tolerance, and thanks to the leaders, experts, industry friends, academic colleagues who have cared for, guided and supported the Institute over the years. Deep apologies that the celebration event could not be open to more friends and guests!
Among the guests present today, there is Mr. Sha Hailin, founder, creator and honorary dean of the Institute. We students are particularly grateful that this elder leader insisted on attending in person despite his busy schedule. Although the Institute's founding dean, former executive vice president of Shanghai University, Prof. Zhou Zhewei, could not attend due to something else, he still sent his best wishes. The Institute grew under the direct leadership of the Party and government, and the care and support of the university and school. Over the past decade, the Institute has integrated and interacted with industry and academia for common growth, and done some meaningful things for the society and country. This is not because we are particularly remarkable, but because we adapted to the times, seized opportunities, and gained understanding, support and help from all walks of society. If the environment is supportive, even eggs can hatch into chicks. We are grateful for this great era we are in, grateful for this great city of Shanghai, grateful for exhibition activities - the great human invention we study and research. We follow the tide of the times, measure the footprints, depth and direction of the exhibition industry, and find basis domestically and internationally, in human history and books, so that the insignificant bits and pieces of daily efforts gradually become meaningful. The exhibition industry is a vast world. Exhibition people will accomplish great things. Exhibition research will surely stand in the forest of Chinese universities and world academia in the future.
Dr. Li Qingjuan, Director of Think Tank Center of Fudan University Fanhai International School of Finance, Founding Executive Dean of SMI, and Executive Dean of Huaxia Economic Research Institute, presented a gift from Huaxia Research Institute - an ink wash painting. The painting depicts a rooster standing in flowers, symbolizing the arduous efforts of Professor Zhang Min and Institute members over the years; the couplet "Ten years of diligence in exhibition, Writing a new chapter for Huaxia" symbolizes the close cooperation between SMIand Huaxia Research Institute, which will surely create brilliance together in the future. Mr. Wan Tao, Founder & CEO of 31Events, a leading domestic enterprise in digital event services, presented a flower basket on behalf of the exhibition industry to warmly congratulate the Institute in person. At the same time, the Institute also received bouquets specially delivered by alumni from all walks of life. The venue was full of vitality.
The fruitful achievements of the Institute over the past decade could not have been possible without a group of dedicated students who contributed selflessly and silently. It is these people who have poured unlimited enthusiasm, professionalism and diligence to successfully complete project by project and task by task. In the award presentation session, Deputy Director Wang Jian presented certificates of honor to students who won Project Contribution Awards; Dean Yan Sangu and Dr. Li Qingjuan presented certificates of honor to students who won Paper Contribution Awards and Special Contribution Awards respectively; Professor Hu Ping, CEO Wan Tao, and Associate Professor Niu Panqiang presented certificates of honor to representatives of the best teams for China International Import Expo(CIIE) Projects, Blue Book of MICEE Industry Editing, and WeChat Official Account Operation respectively.
Award presentation for Project Contribution, Paper Contribution, Special Contribution
Award presentation for the Best Teams
In the featured speeches by representatives, Professor Hu Ping, founder of exhibition major at East China Normal University and Chairman & GM of ECNU Asset Management Co., Ltd., said he was greatly honored to participate in the 10th anniversary. The 10th anniversary of the Research Institute is simple yet profound. The consistent style is low-key yet remarkable achievements are hard to conceal. Reviewing the 10 years of exhibition research, the academic achievements and professional influence of the Research Institute have reached the first-class national standard; at the same time, based in the international exhibition capital, it has created brilliant achievements in knowledge innovation, talent cultivation and social service. The "three bases" and "nine firsts" are well-deserved. In particular, the approval of the Ministry of Education to set up the first undergraduate interdisciplinary exhibition major pioneered exhibition education in Chinese higher education and boosted the morale of the exhibition academia. Professor Hu pointed out that the Research Institute is not only a brand of Shanghai University, but also a brand of Shanghai, and the national exhibition industry and academia. He sincerely wished that SMI could further amplify the decision-making influence of the exhibition think tank in the future, strengthen its guiding and leading role in the industry, improve the ability to cultivate urgently needed international exhibition talents, and play an exemplary role in academic construction in Chinese universities. Look forward to attending the Institute's next 10th anniversary.
Dr. Li Qingjuan, Director of Think Tank Center of Fudan University Fanhai International School of Finance, Founding Executive Dean of SMI, and Executive Dean of Huaxia Economic Research Institute, said: The feeling after years of running a think tank is that if you want to lead, you must be willing to contribute. At least you need to have a vision 5-10 years ahead of the government and true insight, otherwise you will be eliminated by the times. To get things done, a stable talent team is especially necessary. It is hoped that SMI will strengthen team building, amplify its own voice, strive for financial autonomy, form stable support for project research and outstanding talents, and strive to form a "government-industry-academia-think tank-media-investment" six-in-one think tank development system. In the future, Huaxia Research Institute will establish a stable strategic cooperative relationship with Exhibition Research Institute to jointly plan the future and create brilliance, attract more professors to participate in think tank construction, and call for attention to think tank construction in the development of academic disciplines in universities.
Mr. Wan Tao, Founder & CEO of 31 Events, a leading domestic enterprise in exhibition digital services, pointed out that the Blue Book of MICEE Industry edited by SMI has had a profound impact on him personally entering the industry and on improving industry leaders' horizon. As an "outsider" from an interdisciplinary background entering the exhibition industry, the Blue Book has become a systematic academic support for corporate development. Digitalization is the trend. Digital technologies will become the core support for service innovation in the exhibition industry. In the future, it is hoped that more cooperation can be carried out with the Research Institute to jointly explore new infrastructure solutions for digital exhibitions, and even the grand blueprint of digital transformation of the exhibition industry.
Associate Professor Niu Panqiang, Concurrently Appointed Vice Dean of Shanghai University School of Journalism and Communication, said that in the post-epidemic era, the exhibition industry is undergoing constant changes. Emerging technologies, models and formats are emerging endlessly. Online exhibitions and digital exhibitions will create more possibilities. We can borrow the currently hot keyword "metaverse" to explore the intelligent development path of the exhibition industry in the future Internet era.
Associate Professor Zhao Jinquan, teacher representative of the Research Institute, said there are many legends about the long history of Chinese universities. Today the Research Institute has really reached its 10th birthday. Considering the development process of the Research Institute, it can be roughly divided into three stages: foundation laying, rapid development, and self-transcendence. After 10 years of development, the Research Institute has become a monument in the development history of China's exhibition industry. More than the past, we care more about tomorrow. The script for the story of Exhibition Research Institute tomorrow is already contained in its name. Associate Professor Zhao decoded the Chinese name of "SMI" ingeniously: "Excellence is like water, embracing all rivers, gathering talents, and ambitiously planning. Studying market trends domestically and internationally, exploring theories profoundly, it will become a home in the hearts of China's exhibition people." These concise and humorous words express infinite expectations for the Research Institute.
Sun Qiyue, alumnus of the Research Institute and its first assistant to the dean, said that when she came to study for her doctorate in 2010, the Research Institute had not been established yet. In a flash, it has been a decade of glory. Returning to the Research Institute, the first feeling was the change in space. The Research Institute's relocation to the Think Tank Building reflects its growth and the university's emphasis. As the backbone and guardian of the Research Institute, Professor Zhang Min has always been the big master in everyone's hearts. Regardless of personal gains and losses, he overcame physical illness and devoted himself wholeheartedly to exhibition research and the exhibition profession, caring for and educating generations of young people who graduated from the Research Institute. After 10 years of accumulation, the Research Institute forged ahead steadily over the decade. It will surely have an even better future.
Nie Xinyan, alumnus of the Research Institute and its third assistant to the dean, said it was a great honor as a graduate representative to witness the 10th anniversary with everyone at this celebratory moment. After graduating under Professor Zhang's supervision and completing my postdoctoral research at Southeast University, looking back on the days and nights at the Research Institute over the years, I sincerely thank the teacher for his cultivation and care, and miss very much the days as assistant to the dean. Best wishes for the Institute to scale new heights in the future!
Graduate student representative Qiu Xiaojie said heartfelt thanks to the great platform of the Research Institute for providing us with many opportunities to participate in projects, broaden horizons and enhance capabilities. As students, we should accumulate achievements through hard work and long-term efforts, integrate our knowledge into social practice, work together concertedly, and jointly write a new chapter for the Research Institute.
After the wonderful speeches at the 10th anniversary academic salon, SMI welcomed its 10th birthday cake. Professor Zhang Min lit the birthday candles for the Research Institute and cut the first sharing slice. All guests shared the joy of harvest and wished the Research Institute a happy 10th birthday. After 10 years of gratitude and accompaniment, we will forge ahead hand in hand in the future. This marked the successful conclusion of the 10th anniversary academic salon of SMI.
Accompanied by gratitude over the decade, we shall forge ahead shoulder by shoulder.
Text: Yang Yaqi Photos: Liu Haiyan YangGuoshu
