In 2018, to implement the national strategy of high-quality integrated development in the Yangtze River Delta, the publicity departments of the "one municipality and three provinces" (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui) jointly launched the first Yangtze River Delta International Cultural Industries Expo (YRDICIE). It was held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center with an exhibition area of 20,000 square meters and featured 330 participating organizations.

In 2019, the second YRDICIE was held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), expanding to 54,000 square meters and hosting 874 participants. That same year, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee reviewed and approved the Outline of the Yangtze River Delta Regional Integrated Development Plan, explicitly designating the "Yangtze River Delta International Cultural Industries Expo" as a national-level initiative to advance higher-quality integrated development in the region.

In 2020, the third YRDICIE obtained UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) certification—the highest international accreditation for exhibitions. It covered 54,000 square meters and attracted 1,011 participants.

In 2023, the fourth YRDICIE expanded to 100,000 square meters with 1,500 participants, becoming one of China’s largest and most comprehensive cultural industry expos.

In 2024, the fifth YRDICIE pioneered an innovative "1+N" exhibition format (one main venue plus multiple satellite venues). Spanning 81,000 square meters and featuring 1,300 participants, it set new records for concurrent professional events, visitor attendance, and media exposure.

In 2025, the sixth YRDICIE will break traditional spatial and temporal constraints by adopting a "1+3" exhibition layout, with events held across multiple locations and times in the second half of the year.