The Korea Lift Safety Expo 2012 will kick off in Seoul Tuesday with a variety programs to showcase the latest technology and safety measures

During the four-day event, hosted by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, visitors will be able to view mechanisms of an elevator, as well as its transformation over the years and possible direction in the future through the exhibits, according to the organizing committee.

About 78 elevator companies and colleges will attend and exhibit various types of elevators such as home elevators, lifts for sloping surfaces, pedestrian overpass elevators, dumbwaiters, and various parts and accessories for them.

In addition, the exhibitors will also present new elevator technology such as renewable energy lifts and high-seed elevators.

It has increased its scale more than fivefold since 2010.

Under the theme of “Green City Week,” the participating companies will present various energy-efficient products and possible solutions for green growth in cities.

Organizers hope to make the expo international starting from 2014, and expand the event into one of the world’s three largest by 2020.

“This year’s Korea Lift Safety Expo will lay the foundations for its transformation into an international event,” Kong Chang-seok, the president of Korea Elevator Safety Institute and the head of the Korea Lift Safety Expo 2012 organizing committee, said. 

“In order to compete with international expos specializing in elevator technologies, the scale of the event needs to be expanded through a convergent exhibition strategy,” he said.

Various foreign opinion leaders from 20 countries such as China, United States, and European countries will visit the expo and examine the Korean elevator market.

Among them are chairman of Pacific Asia Lift and Escalator Association Ian Todkill, chairman of European Lift Association Esfandiar Gariaan, vice-chairman of American Society of Mechanical Engineers Louis Bialy, chairman of Interlift Germany Achim Hutter, and chairman of Japan Elevator Association Shinji Iwashima.

Aside from exhibitions, the expo will also provide professional seminars and workshops on elevator safety, and provide a conference on safety technology and information on high-rise buildings for elevator corporations.

There will also be a consulting booth to attract potential buyers from Korea as well as large market nations such as China and India. Visitors will be able to test out elevators for themselves.

For ordinary visitors, the expo will feature exhibits with provide scientific explanations on how an elevator works, a workshop where children can learn what to do in case of an elevator accident, as well as a booth where they can experience elevator safety.

In addition to the expo, the International Organization for Standardization’s elevator technical committee is also meeting in Korea during the expo, which is expected to attract more foreign buyers and visitors.

By Sang Youn-joo (sangyj@heraldcorp.com)