Few people knew it then, but a photo of U.S. President Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin and then Chinese President Jiang Zemin modelling tailored Tang jackets in Shanghai would ultimately catalyse the conventions industry of China's commercial capital.

The picture was taken during a break from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in November 2001. China was in the initial stages of opening up its economy following accession to the World Trade Organization, and the APEC Summit brought 21 national leaders to Shanghai—ostensibly to showcase its investment potential. One year later, Shanghai won the right to host the 2010 World Expo – and a countdown began that would define the city’s physical and commercial destiny for the next decade.

Read our full-length feature about Shanghai’s development as a meetings, incentives conferences and exhibitions city since 2001 in Business Traveller magazine.