In June 2026, at London Tech Week, the event organiser made an announcement that drew attention from China’s technology sector: the official launch of Hongqiao Tech Week, bringing the IP to China.

This marks the arrival in China of the same IP behind London Tech Week, an event running since 2014 that attracts participants from hundreds of countries worldwide each year.

Hongqiao Tech Week is an international technology festival stemming from 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, with Shanghai Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Center as the strategic innovation partner and GEC as another strategic partner. The event is scheduled to take place from 20 to 22 November 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai).

If your company is planning its exhibition calendar for the second half of the year, this overview will help you assess whether Hongqiao Tech Week deserves a spot on your shortlist.

I. What it is: Not just another trade show — a technology festival built on the original IP

There is no shortage of international exhibitions, but few bring the original IP of a global tech festival to China. Three key distinctions set it apart:

Same organiser. Hongqiao Tech Week and London Tech Week sit within Informa’s global portfolio of technology events. The organiser is a UFI member. It is not a domestic event inspired by the London format; the same operator is bringing a proven global tech festival framework to China.
Same global network. It joins London Tech Week, Africa Tech Festival and ATxEnterprise in Singapore under Informa’s global tech event ecosystem, sharing access to global tech decision-makers, overseas enterprises and venture capital networks. Exhibiting at Hongqiao connects you not to an isolated new show, but a global tech event network spanning Europe, Africa and Asia.
Proven track record. The performance of its sister events offers solid evidence of operational capability. London Tech Week 2025 hosted 26 national pavilions and over 120 international trade delegations, with announced partnership investments exceeding £100 million on site. These figures demonstrate the maturity of the organiser and global system, meaning operational risk is backed by an experienced international team. Meanwhile, the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) and Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Center (STIC) are onboard as strategic partners — securing venue, industrial and innovation resources from the outset.

II. What it covers: Six tracks spanning mainstream technology sectors

Hongqiao Tech Week is structured around six thematic tracks, so most tech verticals will find a relevant fit:

表格

Track	Coverage
Artificial Intelligence	Algorithm models & development platforms, AI applications, smart hardware & robotics, AI governance, data and compliance services
Future Mobility & Energy	Intelligent transport and autonomous driving, energy storage, power batteries, hydrogen energy, low-altitude aircraft and drones
Smart Infrastructure	AI chips, servers & data centres, cloud computing and cybersecurity, 5G/6G, quantum computing
Smart Industry	Industrial & humanoid robots, digital twins, smart manufacturing, industrial IoT, additive manufacturing
Life Sciences & Health	Biotechnology, gene therapy, AI-assisted diagnostics, digital therapeutics, high-end medical devices
Startup Ecosystem	Tech startups, pitch events, venture capital and innovation services

This structure works especially well for B2B solution providers and multi-industry product companies. Instead of forcing you to choose between an AI show or manufacturing show, it lets you engage buyers from multiple sectors in a single event.

III. What exhibitors gain: Four core metrics that matter

Scale overview: over 50,000 ㎡ of exhibition space, 30,000+ targeted professional visitors, more than 400 exhibitors, and 2,000 pre-scheduled one-to-one business meetings. This is a substantial footprint among comprehensive tech events in China.

High-calibre buyer pool. The organiser maintains a database of over 100,000 industry buyers. Around 30% of planned visitors are technical specialists and engineers, while nearly 40% are C-suite executives, directors, partners and department heads. In short, you will meet stakeholders empowered to make purchasing decisions.
Targeted matchmaking. The 2,000 one-to-one business meetings are curated around procurement requirements, channel partnerships, industrial collaboration, investment and international expansion. You do not need to cold-source prospects; the matching system connects you with pre-qualified target buyers.
Deep industrial ecosystem. The Hongqiao area hosts more than 7,000 digital economy enterprises, over 3,600 automotive industry firms and 1,000+ new energy companies. Beyond the venue, the wider Yangtze River Delta is home to 59,000+ startups and an economic output exceeding RMB 25 trillion. Participation unlocks access not merely to three days of on-site meetings, but the full industrial base of the Yangtze River Delta.
Broad media reach. Over 60 media partners are lined up, with end-to-end coverage before, during and after the event. Strong media attention makes it easier for exhibiting brands to gain visibility.

Participation is not limited to standard booth rental.

Raw space booths: for companies with construction budgets seeking custom-designed stands.
Standard and premium booths: supplied with basic amenities for hassle-free setup.
Startup booths: for early-stage companies with seed funding below RMB 80 million (or equivalent local currency), fewer than 50 employees and under 5 years in operation. These come with streamlined documentation and a tailored exposure pathway, ideal for market validation before scaling up.

Brands with larger budgets aiming for higher visibility can explore sponsorship packages: SVIP lounge, Inspiration Chat Room, Open Stage keynote sponsorship, hackathon sponsor and partnership opportunities. Each targets different audiences: senior decision-makers, on-site attendees, public speaking audiences and competition participants. Specific benefits and pricing are subject to official release; contact the organiser for the latest sponsorship proposal for evaluation.

If you are not ready to commit to a booth, lighter engagement options are available. You can secure speaking or panel slots within the six-track conference programme to shape industry conversations and reach decision-makers. The startup ecosystem track also hosts pitch sessions, allowing early-stage projects to showcase at lower cost. Testing the waters with thought leadership before upgrading to a full booth is a prudent strategy for many firms.

For companies already intending to participate, pre-event preparation directly determines meeting efficiency during the three-day show. Prepare and submit company and product profiles to the matchmaking system as your first business card. Identify 10–20 target buyers and book meetings as soon as matchmaking opens to build a packed meeting schedule. Map conference sessions to your agenda, combining trend briefings, stakeholder meetings and partnership discussions on the same day. Using booth presence, conference speaking and buyer matchmaking together is the most complete way to maximise your exhibition experience.

IV. Why now is the time to pay attention

As a new platform, it offers a first-mover window. The number of exhibitors will be relatively limited at launch, meaning visitor attention is less diluted for each booth. Media focus is concentrated, helping early exhibitors stand out. The late-November timing coincides with corporate year-end reviews and budget planning for the coming year — perfect for flagship year-end technology launches.

Opportunities are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis: prime booth locations, matchmaking slots and speaking spots are all limited. If your business aligns with the six thematic tracks, request exhibition materials and verify the matchmaking mechanism now rather than leaving it until close to the opening date.

Hongqiao Tech Week is not simply another exhibition. It gives tech companies a new option built on an authentic international IP. Whether it is worth joining depends on your objectives: are you seeking industrial buyers, Yangtze River Delta connections, international resources or brand awareness on a new platform? If any of these sit on your agenda, it deserves a place on your shortlist.

Where does certainty come from for this new platform? It stems from built-in mechanisms: the 100,000+ industry buyer database, 2,000 curated one-to-one meetings, 60+ media partners and a targeted invitation programme for senior industry leaders. These are structural features rather than outcomes reliant on on-site luck. If you remain undecided, obtain the full mechanism overview, review the matching rules and buyer demographics, then set your investment pace accordingly. Certainty can be validated, not guessed.

Companies at different stages can adopt different participation models:

Mature product companies expanding into the Yangtze River Delta: evaluate raw space or standard booths and leverage the matchmaking system fully.
Early-stage teams with products under validation: apply for startup booths for lower cost and focused exposure.
Organisations building industry thought leadership: pursue conference speaking or panel slots to build brand credibility through content.

The pragmatic approach is to define your objectives first and then select the right participation route.

All exhibition information is subject to official announcements. The official website (hongqiaotechweek.com) and WeChat official account (HongqiaoTechWeek) will release floor plans, conference agendas and matchmaking rules in due course. Keep track of these channels for updates on booth confirmation, matchmaking launch and agenda releases. Use the points above to build your decision checklist and validate each item step by step — the answer will become clearer.

FAQ

Q1: What is the relationship between Hongqiao Tech Week and London Tech Week? A: Hongqiao Tech Week brings the original London Tech Week IP to China. Both fall under Informa’s global tech event ecosystem, sharing the same organiser and global resource network. Exhibiting at Hongqiao connects you to the same global tech event network covering Europe, Africa and Asia. London Tech Week 2025 hosted 26 national pavilions and over 120 international trade delegations, with announced partnership investments exceeding £100 million. This validates the maturity of the system and confirms that Hongqiao’s delivery is backed by the same global team. The actual scale and results of Hongqiao Tech Week are subject to official statements; you may request the latest materials from the organiser for verification.

Q2: We develop B2B industrial software. Is this event suitable for us? A: Industrial software sits within the Smart Industry track (covering enterprise and industrial management software, digital twins, industrial IoT etc.), making it a strong match. For B2B solution providers, Hongqiao Tech Week delivers multi-sector reach: with six co-located tracks plus 2,000 curated business meetings, you can engage buyers from multiple industries and tap into Yangtze River Delta industrial resources in a single event.

Q3: Can exhibition results be guaranteed? A: Outcomes are determined by mechanisms × preparation. The mechanisms deliver tangible certainty: the 100,000+ industry buyer database, planned 2,000 one-to-one business meetings, over 60 media partners and a targeted outreach programme for senior decision-makers. Your preparation involves pre-booking target buyers via the matchmaking system ahead of the show. Early participants also gain first-mover brand recognition. We recommend requesting exhibitor materials from the organiser to review matchmaking rules and buyer profiles and make full use of the system.

Q4: How do I request exhibitor materials or contact the organiser? A: Submit your exhibition interest via the official website (hongqiaotechweek.com), or follow the official WeChat account (HongqiaoTechWeek) for latest updates. Reach out to the exhibition team for exhibitor enquiries; contact details are published on the official website.