The International Smart Space Exhibition (ISSE) will return in 2025 as a central part of the Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE), China’s only national-level expo dedicated to digital trade. Scheduled for 25–29 September 2025 at the Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Center, the event will gather global innovators, industry leaders, and decision-makers under the theme “Digital Trade, Global Access.”
A Growing Market, A Global Stage
According to recent market research, the global innovative space industry is valued at USD 15.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to more than double to USD 37.2 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 11.8%. This exponential growth, driven by advancements in AI, IoT, big data, and cloud computing, makes ISSE an essential platform for exploring new opportunities.
Organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and Hangzhou Expo Group, ISSE is set to become a benchmark for innovation, showcasing integrated solutions across intelligent buildings and smart parks, urban public spaces, smart commercial environments, and smart living concepts.
Exploring Physical, Digital, and Virtual Spaces
The exhibition highlights how physical environments merge seamlessly with digital and virtual technologies. From intelligent building systems and smart mobility solutions to digital twins, holographic projections, and immersive AR/VR experiences, ISSE demonstrates how spaces can sense, analyse, and autonomously optimise performance.
Key focus areas include:
- Physical Spaces: Intelligent buildings, public spaces, commercial hubs, and zero-carbon parks.
- Digital Spaces: End-to-end integration of AI, 5G, big data, and cloud-based innovations.
- Virtual Spaces: VR, AR, and digital twin technologies that bridge the real and virtual worlds.
From Smart Cities to Smart Living
Exhibitors will present solutions for smart homes, healthcare, offices, retail, tourism, and urban administration. Categories range from AI-driven recognition systems and IoT devices to smart energy management, digital administration platforms, and intelligent hotel and retail services.
The event also places a spotlight on sustainability, with innovations in energy storage, carbon footprint monitoring, and low-impact construction solutions.
Knowledge Sharing and Networking
ISSE 2025 will host the International Smart Space Development Forum, where policymakers, scholars, and leading enterprises will discuss cutting-edge trends and real-world applications. Sub-forums will cover AIoT, smart cultural tourism, urban digitalisation, VR/AR, and intelligent acoustic and lighting technologies.
In 2024, the Global Digital Trade Expo attracted over 30,000 professional buyers, including 6,000 international representatives from more than 100 countries. With over 400 product launches, 34 major project signings worth RMB 29.5 billion, and coverage in 160+ countries, ISSE 2025 is poised to build on this momentum.
Who Will Attend
Visitors will include government delegations, business chambers, international traders, investors, developers, design companies, and technology integrators. Procurement representatives are expected from countries such as Indonesia, Spain, Finland, South Africa, Australia, and Saudi Arabia, alongside global media outlets and industry associations.
A Premium Platform for Global Cooperation
With its combination of innovation showcases, knowledge exchange, and high-level networking, ISSE 2025 promises to strengthen international collaboration and drive the intelligent, digital, and sustainable transformation of urban and living spaces.
Image source: Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd
