Linyi from East China's Shandong province was named China's most competitive convention and exhibition city according to the Competitiveness Index Report of China's Urban Convention and Exhibition Industry 2024 recent released in Chengdu.

In 2024, Linyi boosted the exhibition economy by leveraging its industrial advantages, hosting 156 events with 84 professional exhibitions. Over 24,000 companies participated, generating 32.37 billion yuan ($4.58 billion) in transactions.

Linyi focused on industries like new energy and home appliances, attracting 11,000 local firms. It also innovated with an "exhibition + investment" model, linking shows and markets through shuttle buses and sub-venues. International participation grew, with more than 2,800 foreign buyers attending 23 shows, boosting foreign trade. The exhibitions through 2024 drew over 2.3 million visitors in total, driving over 5 billion yuan in related industries.

In 2025, the city's efforts to build a regional exhibition hub continued. Large events like the 4th RCEP (Shandong) Import Expo and the 1st Shandong vegetable expo proved successful. Established shows such as a wood expo and an autumn hardware fair expanded, while new themes like the outdoor and pet industries emerged. The city saw three new projects certified by the Union of International Fairs, bringing its total to 15.

From January to November this year, Linyi has held 176 events. The participation reached approximately 28,000 companies, and over 4,900 foreign visitors attended, driving a transaction volume of more than 34.1 billion yuan.