CRI

 [ABSTRACT]

This study reviews the achievements of the 'Solar Festival,' promoted by Chungcheongbuk-do since 2012, and its successor, the 'Eco-friendly Energy 

Festival,' over the past decade. It seeks innovative development strategies to transform the event into a sustainable industrial festival amidst rapidly 

changing global energy trade regulations and the trend toward carbon neutrality. While the existing festival has contributed significantly to raising public 

awareness of renewable energy, such as solar power, and increasing policy acceptance among residents, it has faced structural difficulties in creating 

substantial business opportunities between companies or upgrading the industrial ecosystem due to the limitations of the rotation system among cities and 

counties and outdoor tent-based facilities. In particular, as the global trend shifts from simple promotion to technological exchange and trade, there is a 

growing need to move away from the existing experience and viewing-oriented (B2C) approach and strengthen corporate support functions.

Accordingly, this study proposes a strategy to completely reorganize the nature of the event into the '(tentative) Clean Energy Industry Week (CEIW),' 

focusing on business-to-business (B2B) transactions, by utilizing the Cheongju OSCO, a professional exhibition and convention center opening in 2025, as a core hub. Specifically, the focus is on creating synergy through wide-area cooperation by organically combining the complementary industrial value 

chains possessed by the four cities and provinces in the Chungcheong region: Chungbuk (Production), Chungnam (Transition), Daejeon (R&D), and 

Sejong (Policy). Through this, the study aims to build the largest energy business platform in the central region that attracts global buyers and investors by 

operating export consultations, investment briefings, and technology transfer marketplaces on a permanent basis beyond simple exhibitions, thereby 

directly supporting the market expansion of local companies.

Furthermore, a step-by-step implementation roadmap was established to ensure the execution of the research results. The roadmap presents a future 

blueprint: Phase 1 prioritizes establishing a successful Chungbuk-led B2B exhibition model (Reference) in 2026; Phase 2 expands to joint hosting by the our cities and provinces in conjunction with the launch of the Chungcheong Regional Union; and finally, Phase 3 aims to leap forward as a global energy 

expo by obtaining international certification. In addition, to ensure the stable operation of the festival, the study suggests establishing an institutional basis, 

such as enacting the '(tentative) Chungcheong Region Energy Festival Support Ordinance' and creating a promotion fund. It also derives a virtuous cycle 

structure that simultaneously achieves industrial performance and vitalization of the local economy by running parallel programs such as the 'Energy Job 

Concert' for fostering local talent and 'Bleisure' programs combining business and tourism.