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AWE-inspiring connections and culture at UFI Global Congress
From opening up opportunities in the Greater Bay Area, to creating new possibilities for one-of-a-kind experiences, the AsiaWorld-Expo venue host showed how to co-create value at the recent 92nd UFI Global Congress in Hong Kong
he 92nd UFI Global
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Congress, held at AsiaWorld-Expo 19-22 November 2025, marked a significant return to Hong Kong in 25 years for the largest annual global exhibition event.
The annual conference attracted 600 industry leaders from more than 50 countries and regions. In addition to representatives from traditional exhibition powerhouses such as China, the UK, the US, France, Germany and Italy, the event also gathered delegates from across Africa, South America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia to explore innovation and collaboration opportunities within the industry, showcasing the worldwide interest in the Greater Bay Area( GBA) activation.
Hong Kong shapes future of MICE
Paul Chan
At the Opening Ceremony, Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officiated and reaffirmed Hong Kong’ s enduring strengths as the world ' s freest economy – from the free
movement of capital, goods, and talent, to its sound legal system and open, low-tax economy.
He said:“ At its core, exhibitions are about forging business connections and promoting trade in products and services. Your choice of the AsiaWorld-Expo as the congress venue speaks volumes about your focus on connectivity. The Hong Kong International Airport is the gateway to the Chinese Mainland, the broader Asian region and beyond, with over 1,100 flights to over 200 destinations every day. Indeed, Hong’ s role has always been a‘ super connector’. Under the“ one country, two system” framewok, we enjoy convenient and sometimes priority access to the Chinese Mainland market, while maintaining the characteristics that define our success as an international trade business and financial hub.”
Above: The 92nd UFI Global Congress
AWE continues to strengthen Hong Kong ' s leading position as‘ Asia ' s Events Capital’ through facility upgrades and diversification of event offerings. As Fred Lam, chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong( AAHK), remarked in his speech:“ Connectivity is one of AWE’ s strengths, as it is located right next to Hong Kong International Airport, which connects to over 200 destinations worldwide. AWE also benefits from its strategic location at the bridgehead of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai- Macao Bridge and therefore provides an effective platform for establishing a foothold in this important market( GBA). Looking ahead, AWE is developing a new state-of-the-art arena, we believe it will complement and enhance the attractiveness of the many exhibitions and conferences being hosted here. The expanded AWE is also an integral part of the Airport City project, called SKYTOPIA. We are confident that with the completion of SKYTOPIA, Hong Kong’ s position as the region’ s exhibition and conference hub will be further enhanced.”
Host Sessions elaborate opportunities in the GBA A signature highlight was the Host Session on 21 November, titled‘ Gateway to Growth: Unleashing Opportunities in the Greater Bay Area’. Industry leaders, venue operators and experts all from the GBA showcased the vast potential of the GBA market, one of Asia’ s most dynamic and rapidly growing economic regions.
Irene Chan, CEO of AsiaWorld-Expo, emphasised Hong Kong’ s gateway role and AWE’ s ongoing commitment to aligning itself with the broader GBA vision.“ In anticipation of growing opportunities in the GBA, AWE is committed to continuous improvement and infrastructure expansion,” she told attendees.
A second phase of expansion – scheduled for completion in 2028 – will introduce Hong Kong’ s largest
24 Issue 6 2025 www. exhibitionworld. co. uk