Seattle Korean Daily

2026 WABA Korea Expo & Festival to Take Place at Seattle Waterfront, Expected to Be the Largest Ever

The Washington State Korean American Chamber of Commerce (KACCWA, President Myung-kyu Oh; Board Chair Ji-yeon Eun) will host the “2026 WABA Korea Expo & Festival” from August 14 to 16 at Pier 62, Seattle Waterfront.

A B2B pre-networking event focused on business matchmaking will be held separately on August 13, the day before the main event.

Positioned as a comprehensive business and cultural platform connecting Korea and the United States, this year’s event is expected to be the largest WABA event to date.

WABA, derived from the Korean phrase “wa-bwa” meaning “Come & See,” has been held annually in the Seattle area since its launch in 2021. It has since established itself as a leading Korean-American event in the Pacific Northwest, combining Korean business networking with cultural experiences.

Four Days of Programming: From B2B Networking to K-Pop Performances

The event will begin on August 13 with a B2B pre-event. During this session, one-on-one matchmaking between Korean companies and U.S. buyers, product presentations, and distribution partnership discussions will take place, focusing on practical business engagement.

From August 14 to 16, the main event will feature a wide range of programs, including:

• Expo opening and vendor showcases
• K-pop performances and cultural shows
• Government and VIP keynote speeches
• Interactive consumer programs

Korean brands across various sectors—including food, beauty, technology, and lifestyle—will participate, showcasing products tailored for the U.S. market while conducting on-site sales and brand promotion simultaneously.

Up to 10,000 Daily Visitors Expected, Providing Real-World Testing Ground for K-Brands

Pier 62, located in the heart of the Seattle waterfront, is a major public venue and a popular destination that attracts over 10,000 visitors per day during the summer.

Organizers plan to leverage this high foot traffic to enable Korean companies to directly engage with local consumers, offering a valuable opportunity to test brand awareness and market response in the U.S. market in real time.

Participating vendors will be able to conduct on-site sales while gathering consumer feedback, while sponsors will benefit from:

• VIP networking opportunities
• Media exposure

A representative from KACCWA stated,

“This event will serve as an opportunity to directly showcase the competitiveness of K-brands in a global city like Seattle.”

Applications Now Open

Applications for vendors, sponsors, and volunteers are currently being accepted through the official website of the Washington State Korean American Chamber of Commerce.

Seattle Korean Daily
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