APEC 2025 KOREA First Senior Officals’ Meeting (SOM1)

The First Senior Officials’ Meeting (APEC 2025 KOREA - SOM1) was held in Gyeongju.
While Gyeongju is a city that represents Korea’s history and culture and is perfectly suitable as a venue for international events, it had some limitations in terms of transportation infrastructure.
We needed to improve accessibility from Gimhae International Airport and KTX Station to the terminals, the venue (Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center), and major hotels.
Especially since this event was a large-scale gathering with over 2,000 delegates from 21 member countries, a systematic system was needed to ensure smooth transportation for all participants.

“Perfect Transportation Service that Made APEC 2025 - SOM1’s First Step a Success, from Arrival to Departure”

GroundK was selected as the transportation and protocol service provider for the ‘APEC 2025 KOREA SOM1 Event Support Project’.
Our team first analyzed the movement patterns and required vehicles for event participants.
We developed a comprehensive transportation plan considering various routes from the perspective of both international and domestic participants using the international airport and KTX station, ensuring seamless movement between the venue and hotels.
Additionally, we maintained a 24-hour crisis response system and real-time monitoring to manage unexpected situations.

Customized Service for International Participants

Our team created all guidance information in English to help international participants easily understand the information.
We produced detailed guide materials including shuttle route maps, operation schedules, and boarding locations, and installed English signage on all vehicles and stops.
Particularly, by deploying multilingual guide staff, we created an environment where global participants could move comfortably without getting lost anywhere in the venue or hotels.

This attentive service received high praise from participants who said it was a great experience that made them feel Korea’s hospitality.

Shuttle Operation Strategy Based on Purpose-Specific Data

Our team analyzed the movement patterns of SOM1 participants and designed a strategy allowing shuttle selection based on passenger purpose.
For transportation hubs like Gimhae International Airport and KTX Station, we thoroughly analyzed all flight and KTX train schedules in advance, identified peak demand times, and operated shuttles for arrivals and departures based on this schedule.
We also operated circulating shuttles between the Hwabaek Convention Center and major hotels to ensure convenient venue access.

While operating based on the designated schedule, we flexibly added extra vehicles when passenger numbers surged, helping participants move between locations conveniently at any time and creating an environment where they could focus on the meetings.
Through this, we once again confirmed that purpose-specific operation strategies maximize transportation efficiency in large-scale events.

Efficient Management through VMS Solution

The key to GroundK’s outstanding performance and recognition at this SOM1 event was our self-developed VMS (Vehicle Management Service) solution.
Our VMS allows real-time monitoring of all vehicle locations and operation status.
We could see where each vehicle was heading, who was operating which vehicle, and view this information alongside real-time traffic conditions.

Beyond ensuring convenient shuttle boarding for all participants, our ability to respond quickly to unexpected situations like accidents or traffic congestion was backed by this technological capability.

High-Quality Service through Professional Staff

In large-scale international events, unexpected situations can frequently occur.
Our team established a system to respond immediately to on-site issues by deploying professional staff at all locations.

By placing dedicated staff at key locations such as the airport, KTX station, hotels, and the venue, we not only provided guidance for shuttles but also offered comprehensive information about the event and Gyeongju tourism, further enhancing customer satisfaction.

"Smooth Transportation Creates Successful International Events, GroundK Takes Responsibility"

APEC 2025 KOREA - SOM1 was successfully concluded with high participant satisfaction through customized transportation, friendly on-site response, and IT-based strategic operations.

Now, transportation services for international events go beyond simply moving participants - they have become an important means of demonstrating hospitality and expertise, enhancing the nation’s brand value.

Based on our experience from numerous international events and large-scale gatherings, GroundK provides complete support with technology, know-how, and expertise to ensure smooth event operations.

Especially, we are a partner that shows Korea’s expertise and service spirit to participants worldwide by providing seamless transportation solutions even in local cities with limited transportation infrastructure.

Start your journey to event success with GroundK.