Hong Kong
Hong Kong connecting again as expos return
ong Kong Convention
H and Exhibition Centre ’ s management reports 127 exhibitions were held at the venue during the fiscal year 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023 , compared with 110 in a normal pre-Covid year .
The team notes that all major recurrent trade fairs staged at the HKCEC before Covid returned to the venue in 2023 or will return in 2024 , and that the number of recurrent trade exhibitions is expected to reach 70 , as in pre-Covid years .
The volume of international exhibitors and visitors in 2024 is expected to rise steadily from 2023 provided that the region ’ s flight capacity resumes normal levels . The HKCEC team notes that Hong Kong ’ s unique competitive advantages – such as high service levels and worldclass infrastructure and facilities for hosting trade exhibitions and international conventions remain unchanged after all .
Major events confirming their return to the HKCEC this year include :
• APLF Leather & Materials +: The fair returns to Hong Kong in March after a break of four years . It runs 19-21 March 2024 .
• Art Basel Hong Kong : Art Basel ’ s 2024 Hong Kong edition , 28-30 March , will feature 243 galleries from 40 countries and territories , a 37 % increase in exhibitor numbers compared to 2023 .
• Vinexpo Asia 2024 - HONG KONG : The largest wine exhibition in Asia takes place 28-30 May 2024 .
• International Council for Commercial Arbitration Congress 2024 : It will take place 5 – 8 May 2024 .
Examples of new exhibitions in 2023 at the venue are :
• Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition 2023 ( August 2023 )
• Hong Kong Cat Expo ( August 2023 )
• Nintendo Live 2023 Hong Kong ( November 2023 )
• Hong Kong International Refrigeration Expo 2023 – ( December 2023 )
• OCTF 2023 ( Hong Kong ) Intelligent Technology Exhibition ( December 2023 ).
The new HK $ 1.4bn ‘ Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions ’ launched by the government in July 2023 to support the recovery of the industry has helped bring recurrent exhibitions , temporarily staged outside Hong Kong , back to the territory . According to Hong Kong ’ s Commerce and Economic Development Bureau , as of 30 November 2023 , 32 applications for completed events were received under the Incentive Scheme , of which 31 have been approved , involving HK $ 112m .
Hong Kong ’ s exhibition industry lost a lot of talent during the pandemic and , to tackle the labour shortage , HML ( HKCEC ’ s management group ) is recruiting
Above : Kenneth Wong
new blood , including through coorganising internship programmes with universities and tertiary institutions to offer students in hospitality and event management disciplines first-hand working experience . The industry is also studying the feasibility of importing foreign workers .
Other challenges include inflationary pressure and rising operating costs and air transport capacity ( although Hong Kong International Airport reached 80 % of the pre-pandemic level in 2023 and is expected to achieve a full recovery by the end of 2024 ).
The Hong Kong Tourism Board tells EW the recovery has been quick with international flagship trade shows announcing their return and stands sold out . Cosmopack & Cosmoprof Asia ( November 2023 ) achieved a 64 % growth in international visitors compared to 2019 , while Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong ( September 2023 ) sparkled with a record number of exhibitors .
New global trade shows eyeing Hong Kong for debut or global expansion include DMP Greater Bay Area Industrial Expo , BioCHINA , the 13th JCtrans Global Freight Forwarders Expo 2023 , Aero-Engines Asia-Pacific 2024 and Super Terminal Expo 2024 . In December 2023 , Hong Kong also won the hosting right of the inaugural IBTM Asia Pacific 2025 .
Hong Kong is also positioning itself as an international gateway and a prime meeting hub in the Greater Bay Area ( GBA ). Cross-border connectivity ensures visitors can reach 65 % of the GBA population in around an hour by road , rail , sea and air .
The Hong Kong Government also launched new funding last July – a HK $ 1.4bn ( USD $ 18m ) Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions ( ISRE ). The ISRE scheme should provide incentives to organisers of eligible recurrent exhibitions for more than 200 exhibitions held over a three-year period .
24 Issue 1 2024 www . exhibitionworld . co . uk