The Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE) 2026 is set to open this March at the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone (IBCZ) and the Shanghai New International Expo Center in Pudong New Area.

The Shanghai Eastern Hub IBCZ in Pudong New Area. [Photo/WeChat ID: pdnews]

As one of China's largest home appliance and consumer electronics exhibitions, AWE 2026 will be held from March 12 to 15, spanning a total exhibition area of 170,000 square meters and bringing together around 1,200 exhibitors.

Under the theme "Smart AI, Smarter Future", the event will feature a dual-zone layout, with exhibition areas set up at the Shanghai Eastern Hub IBCZ and the Shanghai New International Expo Center. The latter will focus on showcasing smart living scenarios, while the former will highlight cutting-edge technological innovations and host more than 20 forums and related events.

The event will bring together leading domestic home appliance and consumer electronics companies across the full industry chain — from smart terminal chips and sensors to large AI models — with Pudong-based firms including AgiBot and Xreal set to showcase their latest products.

The selection of the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone as a venue is a strategic move. Pan Yan, deputy director of the Shanghai  Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, said that the zone's institutional advantages and its proximity to Shanghai Pudong International Airport — just 15 minutes away — make it uniquely positioned to facilitate cross-border participation.

"Overseas exhibits can enter the zone with ease and be returned after the expo, while international visitors can go straight from the plane to the exhibition floor," Pan said.