World Korean Business Convention
WKBC is a non-profit organization that produces an annual global business convention connecting Korean SMEs with overseas Korean entrepreneurs, U.S. buyers, and government officials through exhibitions, B2B/B2G matchmaking, and forums to facilitate trade agreements and investment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersDuluth, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What World Korean Business Convention does
The World Korean Business Convention (WKBC) is a non-profit organization established in 2002 that produces an annual global business convention connecting Korean SMEs seeking U.S. and international market entry with overseas Korean entrepreneurs, local U.S. buyers, and government officials. It is not a technology company; its core "product" is a four-day physical event (the 23rd edition held April 17-20, 2025 at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth, Georgia) supported by a 1:1 business meeting matching service, a corporate exhibition with approximately 450 booths spanning 100,000 square feet, and dedicated program tracks including a G2G Forum, KCCI B2G Forum, SME B2G Forum, Procurement Forum, Breakfast Forums, and a Startup Pitch Competition.
WKBC monetizes the convention through three streams: (i) one-time exhibition booth rentals priced at $2,500 for space-only booths and $6,000–$7,000 for system booths, (ii) tiered corporate sponsorships (Gold sponsors Hyundai Motor and NatureCell; Silver sponsors HD Hyundai, SNK Group, KISS; bronze/patron sponsors ARCO, Metro City Bank, First IC Bank, WNB Factory, Delta), and (iii) participant registration/buyer passes. The organization is co-hosted by the Overseas Koreans Agency (a Korean government body), the Korean American Chamber of Commerce USA, and KBIZ (Korea Federation of SMEs), with Maeil Business Newspaper as a co-organizing media partner. WKBC is headquartered in Seoul (189 Seongam-ro, Mapo-gu) with a general office in Duluth, Georgia at the event venue, and is led operationally by a chair/co-chair structure rather than a venture-backed management team.
The 23rd convention reported outcomes of $49.9 million in signed export contracts, $660 million in business consultations, 86 MOUs totaling $150 million, $45 million in U.S. investment deals, and $10 million in startup investment interest generated through the pitch competition, with 4,000+ participants from approximately 50 countries and 20,000+ public visitors to the exhibition hall. The convention cost approximately $5 million to organize, funded through sponsorships (including $300,000 from Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Electric and $200,000 from NatureCell), personal donations from co-chairmen (e.g., $50,000 from Kim Baek-gyu and $100,000 from Mikyung Kim), and a $1 million guarantee pledge from KAACUSA leadership.
World Korean Business Convention firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- World Korean Business Convention
- Legal name
- World Korean Business Convention
- Website
- https://wkbc.us
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- WKBC is a non-profit organization that produces an annual global business convention connecting Korean SMEs with overseas Korean entrepreneurs, U.S. buyers, and government officials through exhibitions, B2B/B2G matchmaking, and forums to facilitate trade agreements and investment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
World Korean Business Convention industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trade Convention and Exhibition Services
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industry-Specific B2B Trade Show Organizers (THAHABAB)
Keywords
Where World Korean Business Convention is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Duluth
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
World Korean Business Convention business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Exhibition Booth Rental: Revenue generated from selling exhibition booth space to Korean SMEs, local governments, and organizations. Booths are available in various configurations including space-only, system booths, and custom booths.
- Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorships from companies like NatureCell (Gold), Hyundai Motor (Gold), HD Hyundai (Silver), SNK Group (Silver), KISS (Silver), and bronze/patron sponsors including ARCO, Metro City Bank, First IC Bank, WNB Factory, and Delta.
- Event Admission/Registration: Revenue from participant registration for the convention, including buyer passes that provide access to the exhibition and business matching services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Space Only Booth - 10'x10' exhibition space |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | System Booth - Pre-configured exhibition booth with infrastructure |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Custom Booth - Bespoke exhibition space arrangement |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
World Korean Business Convention product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WKBC operates the world's largest overseas Korean business convention, an annual four-day event that provides exhibition booth space for Korean SMEs to showcase products across categories including K-Beauty, K-Food, AI, clean energy, medical healthcare, and technology. The convention facilitates B2B matchmaking through a 1:1 meeting platform, runs G2G and B2G forums connecting Korean and U.S. government officials, and hosts a startup pitch competition for venture capital investment.
Product overview
The World Korean Business Convention (WKBC) is an annual global business event platform that connects Korean diaspora entrepreneurs worldwide with Korean SMEs seeking U.S. market entry. The core offering includes the main convention event with exhibition booths, a 1:1 business meeting matching platform, and various forum programs (G2G, B2G, Procurement, Breakfast). The platform facilitates trade agreements, B2B matchmaking, startup investment, and government-level economic cooperation between Korea and the United States.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- World Korean Business Convention (WKBC) Annual Convention Annual global business convention connecting Korean diaspora entrepreneurs worldwide with Korean SMEs seeking U.S. market entry through exhibitions, B2B matchmaking forums, and government-level economic cooperation sessions. The 2025 edition in Atlanta generated $49.9M in signed contracts, 86 MOUs totaling $150M, and attracted 4,000+ participants from 50 countries.
- Corporate Exhibition Booth Space Exhibition space at the annual convention featuring 450 booths across 100,000 sq ft, available in space-only ($2,500), system booth ($6,000-$7,000), and custom configurations for Korean SMEs, local governments, and organizations to showcase products in K-Beauty, K-Food, AI, Clean Energy, Medical Healthcare, and Technology.
- 1:1 Business Meeting Service Customized industry-specific matching service facilitating one-on-one business meetings between Korean sellers and U.S./international buyers during the four-day convention, with buyer pass registration and scheduled meetings.
- Startup Pitch Competition Competitive pitching event connecting Korean startups with venture capitalists and investors during the convention, with cash prizes (e.g., $5,000 for first place) and direct investor engagement.
Quantifiable outcome
- $49.9 million in signed export contracts at 2025 WKBC
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use World Korean Business Convention
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
World Korean Business Convention technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
World Korean Business Convention partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- G6 GlobalcorePartnership between Chungnam Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency and G6 Global (Silicon Valley-headquartered global business specialist firm) to help participating companies expand sales channels. G6 Global has broad networks spanning North America, Asia, and Europe, excels in marketing strategies leveraging Korean business networks and local market consulting.
- WNB FactorymajorU.S. handmade burger chain operating 148 locations across 12 states. Signed $5 million export agreement with Prime Co., Ltd. for K-food products distribution through their restaurant network.
- ARCO ConstructionmajorAtlanta-based architecture/construction firm that signed multiple major deals: $25M factory construction contract with Jooan Food, $20M coating plant project with Hana Factory Automation, and $25M building materials import deal with Korean company.
- Washington State Korean Chamber of CommercecoreSigned MOU with Gwanak-gu district to build economic cooperation in U.S. market and share economic information to promote business expansion.
- Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI)coreKCCI hosts the KCCI B2G Forum at WKBC, providing a venue where key executives of Korean global companies meet with high-officials from U.S. federal and state governments to discuss collaboration for mutual benefits.
- JM CorpmajorKorean-American company in Chicago that signed $7 million export deal with Slowker for premium Korean rice wine (sogokju) distribution.
- Overseas Koreans AgencycoreGovernment agency that co-hosts WKBC, providing the institutional framework and global network to support domestic companies' overseas expansion.
- Korean American Chamber of Commerce USAcorePrimary organizing partner representing Korean American business community, coordinating local U.S. operations and buyer recruitment.
- Maeil Business Newspaper / MBNmajorMajor Korean business media outlet that co-organizes WKBC, providing media coverage and promoting the event to business audiences.
- KBIZ (Korea Federation of SMEs)corePrimary organizing partner representing Korean SMEs, facilitating participation of small and medium enterprises at the convention.
- John Lerois Consulting (Australia)minorSigned MOU with Neurabody (AI-based spinal care company from Seongnam) for global distribution partnership.
- Atlanta BravesminorMajor League Baseball team partnered for promotional booth and photo zone at WKBC venue, marking first-ever collaboration between the Braves and the Korean community in Atlanta.
- Home DepotmajorAmerica's largest home improvement retailer, headquartered in Atlanta, participated as sponsor. Over 1,000 stores nationwide, with employees consulting with exhibiting companies.
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)majorSBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler participated in opening ceremony, declaring 2025 as the 'First Year of the Korean Business Economic Bloc'. Discussed expanding policy exchanges and collaboration between Korea's Ministry of SMEs and U.S. SBA.
- Delta Air LinesminorPatron sponsor of WKBC 2025. Provides 2 direct flights daily from Incheon Airport to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, facilitating participant travel.
- Home Shopping WorldmajorU.S. Korean shopping platform that signed multi-million-dollar agreements with major Korean companies for K-food and K-beauty products distribution.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
World Korean Business Convention competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SelectUSA: U.S. Department of Commerce program that promotes foreign direct investment into the United States and runs the SelectUSA Summit—an annual investment-attraction event with overlapping G2G-style programming.
- RX Global (Reed Exhibitions): Major global trade-show organizer operating industry-specific B2B exhibitions across multiple verticals. Comparable in operating model (exhibition sales, sponsorship, B2B matchmaking) but with much larger scale and broader geographic reach.
- International Franchise Association (IFA): Trade association that operates a large annual B2B franchise expo and member matchmaking platform. Comparable as an event-led B2B trade organization with sponsorship and exhibitor monetization, though focused on franchising rather than Korean SMEs.
- Informa Markets: One of the world's largest trade-show operators running hundreds of B2B exhibitions globally, including consumer goods and technology events. Comparable as a scaled B2B trade-show platform, though much broader in scope than WKBC's Korean-focused niche.
Emerging players
- Korea Society: New York-based nonprofit advancing U.S.-Korea business, cultural, and policy exchange. While not a trade show organizer, it convenes Korean-American business networks and corporate leaders analogous to WKBC's diaspora entrepreneur audience.
Direct peers
- U.S.-Korea Business Council: Bilateral business-promotion organization focused on U.S.-Korea trade and investment, hosting leadership forums and policy events that overlap with WKBC's G2G and B2G program tracks.
- KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency): Korean government trade-promotion agency that facilitates Korean SME export and FDI into overseas markets. KOTRA runs its own trade events and buyer-matching programs and is the closest institutional peer to WKBC's Korea-to-U.S. matchmaking mandate.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
World Korean Business Convention social profiles
Digital presenceWorld Korean Business Convention financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
World Korean Business Convention leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
World Korean Business Convention funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
World Korean Business Convention M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about World Korean Business Convention
What does World Korean Business Convention do?
WKBC operates the world's largest overseas Korean business convention, an annual four-day event that provides exhibition booth space for Korean SMEs to showcase products across categories including K-Beauty, K-Food, AI, clean energy, medical healthcare, and technology. The convention facilitates B2B matchmaking through a 1:1 meeting platform, runs G2G and B2G forums connecting Korean and U.S. government officials, and hosts a startup pitch competition for venture capital investment.
Is World Korean Business Convention a public or private company?
World Korean Business Convention is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was World Korean Business Convention founded?
World Korean Business Convention was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is World Korean Business Convention based?
World Korean Business Convention is headquartered in Duluth, United States, in the North America region.
How does World Korean Business Convention make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Exhibition Booth Rental is the primary driver. The others are sponsorship and event Admission/Registration.
Who are World Korean Business Convention's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SelectUSA, RX Global (Reed Exhibitions), International Franchise Association (IFA) and Informa Markets. Korea Society is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are U.S.-Korea Business Council and KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency).
Does World Korean Business Convention have an API?
No public API is recorded for World Korean Business Convention.
What industry is World Korean Business Convention in?
World Korean Business Convention's product category is Trade Convention and Exhibition Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHABAB, Industry-Specific B2B Trade Show Organizers. Its NAICS code is 561920.