A group photo of the volunteers. [Photo provided to swj.xm.gov.cn]

More than 1,100 volunteers attended an orientation and training session at the Xiamen International Expo Center on Aug 22 for the 26th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) to be held from Sept 8 to 11.

This year's fair will introduce a new "1+6" volunteer service framework, consisting of one central volunteer station inside the venue and six satellite service points operated by Xiamen Airlines, C&D Corporation, ITG Holding Group, XMXYG, Xiamen Municipal Group, and Xiamen Capital Holdings. 

To meet the demands of the new venue, the volunteer recruitment campaign visited eight universities in Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and Quanzhou between April and July, drawing over 1,000 applicants. Many began their assignments in mid‑July.

The recruitment also included employees from state‑owned enterprises and the broader community. Volunteer needs were assessed with major state‑owned firms, and specialized training was provided for interpretation volunteers.

The training program focused on three areas, including overall competency, role‑specific skills, and on‑site orientation.

During the training, the organizing committee provided briefings on core areas, including exhibition management, investor matching, conference forums, credentialing, media communications, and the "Online CIFIT" platform. They also addressed questions on organizational procedures and logistical support. 

To wrap up the training, all volunteers toured the venue in groups to familiarize themselves with the layout and visitor flow, ensuring they were fully prepared before starting their assignments.