The Yangtze River Delta boasts China’s most concentrated clusters for integrated circuits and computing infrastructure, with industrial hubs in Zhangjiang (Shanghai), Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Hefei. Supply chains, policy support, capital and talent all converge here. For semiconductor, computing, cloud computing and cybersecurity enterprises, entering the Yangtze River Delta is not a question of “whether”, but “how”.

Trade exhibitions offer the lowest-cost market entry pass: within a few days, you can reach industrial resources that normally take months to secure. Among such platforms, Hongqiao Tech Week merits your attention. It is the flagship international tech festival built on the original London Tech Week IP. Guided by the Management Committee of Hongqiao International Central Business District, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, it is hosted by Informa Markets. Shanghai Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Center serves as the strategic innovation partner and GEC as another strategic partner. The event will run from 20 to 22 November 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). This article breaks down the three-step roadmap for your market entry.

Step 1: Understand the location — Why Hongqiao

To enter the Yangtze River Delta, you first need the right gateway. The Hongqiao International Open Hub functions as a core node for Yangtze River Delta integration, and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), venue of Hongqiao Tech Week, sits right within this hub.

The location delivers tangible industrial density. Integrated circuit and computing clusters span Zhangjiang Shanghai, Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Hefei, bringing together supply chains, policies, capital and talent. The Hongqiao area hosts more than 7,000 digital economy enterprises, backed by over 59,000 startups and an economic output exceeding RMB 25 trillion across the Yangtze River Delta. For semiconductor, computing, cloud and cybersecurity firms, the exhibition venue itself sits at the heart of the Yangtze River Delta industrial landscape. Your downstream clients, industrial parks and industrial capital lie within this one-hour commuting circle.

More importantly, it carries strategic policy weight. Hongqiao Tech Week closely aligns with national 15th Five-Year Plan priorities for Shanghai’s global science and innovation centre and Yangtze River Delta integration. It follows Hongqiao International Open Hub’s core mission of integrating innovation, industry, capital and talent chains. For companies entering the Yangtze River Delta, this means industrial matchmaking is not a one-off event, but a strategically backed channel.

The “four-chain integration” strategy of Hongqiao International Open Hub has practical value for semiconductor and computing players:

As a central convergence point on this hub, the exhibition lets you connect within days to resources normally scattered across the Yangtze River Delta.

Step 2: Match your track — Where your sector belongs

Hongqiao Tech Week is structured into six thematic tracks. The Smart Infrastructure track directly serves semiconductor, computing, cloud and cybersecurity enterprises:

表格

Your Sector

Track Alignment

Chip design / AI chips

AI chips, AI servers

Computing / data centres

Servers, storage hardware, data centres, cloud computing

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity, quantum computing

Communications / networking

5G/6G networks, fibre broadband

Track matching ensures you are positioned where your target buyers will visit. Adjacent tracks include Artificial Intelligence, Future Mobility & Energy and Smart Industry — your downstream clients (AI solution adopters, automakers, manufacturers) are just next door.

The track also carries high-calibre industry representation. The advisory board of the Smart Infrastructure track includes leading figures from security and computing sectors, such as the Chairman of DBAPPSecurity and Founder of Cybersage. The speaker lineup also features international executives including CISO of HELM AG, CEO of Tototheo Global and Chairman of CSDA. Dedicated panel discussions will focus on security, computing and chip topics rather than static booth displays. Enterprises interested in these sessions may review speaker rosters in advance and build schedules around forums and target contacts.

Cross-track engagement is equally valuable. Your downstream buyers are not limited to Smart Infrastructure. AI application and computing purchasers in the Artificial Intelligence track, automakers and energy enterprises under Future Mobility & Energy, plus manufacturers from Smart Industry, all represent potential buyers of computing and security solutions. The combination of six co-located tracks plus 2,000 curated one-to-one meetings enables you to cover buyers from multiple industries in one exhibition — this is the key advantage of an integrated tech week versus vertical trade expos.

Step 3: Leverage matchmaking — Turn industrial resources into formal meetings

Track selection secures your position; matchmaking connects you with the right stakeholders:

Simply put, your clients (AIDC operators, cloud vendors, manufacturers), capital partners (industrial funds, parks) and ecosystem players (upstream & downstream) are all part of this network.

Breakdown of visitor profiles: 16% CxOs, managing directors, partners and board members; 20% VPs, directors and department heads; 30% technical specialists and engineers; 18% managers; 16% procurement and other professionals. Both decision-makers and operational stakeholders attend, supporting discussions over solutions, procurement and investment. Government and public authorities (investment promotion bureaus, big data administrations, cyberspace affairs offices etc.) and industrial parks are also among target attendees. For computing and cybersecurity vendors, procurement and deployment demands for digital government and industrial digitalisation can be registered as priority matchmaking topics.

Four complementary actions beyond the three-step roadmap

  1. Join dedicated industrial matchmaking sessions: Economic and information commissions, high-tech zones and economic development zones across the Yangtze River Delta often host parallel sessions alongside the exhibition. Prioritise registration.
  2. Schedule park site visits: Industrial parks frequently organise on-site tours during the show, creating opportunities for in-person inspections and negotiations.
  3. Combine integrated + vertical events: Hongqiao Tech Week delivers broad market coverage. Pair it with vertical expos such as Wuxi CSEAC (Semiconductor Equipment, Materials & Core Components Expo) and Hangzhou Changxin Expo for deep-dive engagement, unlocking full Yangtze River Delta access within one year.
  4. Tap into media network: Partner media include mainstream outlets such as People’s Daily Shanghai Branch, Xinhua News Agency and CCTV Shanghai Station, plus ICT/electronics vertical platforms including C114 and Elecfans. Professional media channels within your sector are already integrated into the event ecosystem.

Tailored recommendations for three types of enterprises

To enter the Yangtze River Delta ecosystem, identify the right gateway, select your track, and convert resources into meetings through the matchmaking mechanism — this is the standard playbook for your Hongqiao Tech Week entry pass.

To execute the three-step roadmap, follow this preparation timeline:

  1. Pre-show: Submit your participation intent and matchmaking requirements via the official website and WeChat channel, confirming matchmaking rules and buyer profiles.
  2. Compile a priority contact list of target clients (AIDC, IDC, cloud vendors, manufacturers) and industrial parks (Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Hefei clusters). Book meetings once the matchmaking portal opens.
  3. During the exhibition: Attend track forums to capture demand insights, and combine park tours and dedicated industrial sessions for deep offline engagement.
  4. Within 48 hours post-show: Follow up meeting leads and convert exhibition connections into tangible business opportunities.

Calculate your ROI clearly. Exhibition costs are not limited to booth fees; they also include build-out, travel and personnel time as hidden expenses. Returns are measured by matchmaking quality, buyer profile and underlying industrial ecosystem. For semiconductor and computing enterprises, participation delivers customer validation, capital access and ecosystem networking in one event. Document these three value streams in your business case before deciding booth type and budget allocation.

Multiple booth options can be combined according to budget and objectives: raw space for physical demo equipment and custom builds; standard booths for first-time exhibitors for simpler execution; startup booths for small early-stage teams with limited budgets. Regardless of selection, your corporate profile will be featured on the official website and digital event guide. Every 9 sqm booth includes three exhibitor passes, sharing baseline exposure benefits. Allocate more budget to pre-show outreach and matchmaking rather than booth build-out.

FAQ

Q1: What specific value does Hongqiao Tech Week bring to semiconductor enterprises? A: The event aligns with the Smart Infrastructure track (covering AI chips, servers, storage, data centres and more). Geographically, it sits within the Hongqiao International Open Hub, backed by more than 59,000 startups and over RMB 25 trillion economic output across the Yangtze River Delta. Mechanically, 2,000 curated one-to-one meetings enable connections with industrial parks, industrial capital and upstream/downstream partners. Value extends far beyond the three show days to the broader industrial network.

Q2: Is participation useful for targeting industrial clusters in Wuxi / Suzhou / Hefei? A: Yes, with a combined strategy. Hongqiao Tech Week acts as the gateway, connecting you with Yangtze River Delta government and park stakeholders. For deep engagement with wafer, packaging & testing and manufacturing clusters, complement it with local vertical expos such as Wuxi CSEAC and Hangzhou Changxin Expo. Park tours and on-site matchmaking sessions bridge the two platforms.

Q3: How should computing firms arrange meetings with AIDC and cloud vendors? A: Focus on the Smart Infrastructure track plus the matchmaking system: book meetings with AIDC, IDC and cloud providers via curated one-to-one sessions and attend relevant forums to understand market demand. Matchmaking rules and buyer lists are subject to official release.

Q4: Where can I obtain exhibitor information and park engagement details? A: Submit your exhibition intent via the official website (hongqiaotechweek.com) and follow the official WeChat account for updates. Park tours and industrial matchmaking sessions are subject to official agenda announcements.