HKCEC managing director Cliff Wallace says Hong Kong’s role as a global platform continues to be reinforced

Indeed, 68 per cent of its total event revenue for the fiscal year 2001-2002 was generated by recurrent events, with international trade fairs topping the list.

HKCEC managing director Cliff Wallace said these results further reinforce Hong Kong's status as the hub for trade business in Asia.

"Hong Kong's excellent geographical location, world-class infrastructure, the award-winning venue and high service standards are the key reasons for Hong Kong's success," he said.

"Most importantly, it is a city that provides access and a global platform to target markets."

According to the 2002 annual survey conduced by conferences, exhibitions and incentives magazine CEI Asia Pacific, Hong Kong has maintained its position as the leading destination for exhibitors in the region. Further, HKCEC was voted the best exhibition venue in the Asia-Pacific for the second consecutive year, based on a poll of exhibition organisers.

Strong portfolio of events

"There are several factors making the HKCEC the preferred choice for organisers - namely, economic recovery in certain world markets, Hong Kong's reputation as the hub for trade business in Asia, plus a strong portfolio of established retail events," Mr Wallace said. "Another factor is the steadily increasing number of mainland exhibitors and trade visitors, along with improved regional and international trade buyers."

To meet rising demand, a further expansion of the HKCEC costing HK$2 billion (US$256 million) is being planned for completion by 2009, providing two new exhibition halls of 15,000 square metres each and increasing the total available rental space to over 100,000 square metres.

The government has also given the go-ahead for a second venue, an international exhibition centre, to be built next to Hong Kong International Airport by 2005.

Mr Wallace said the HKCEC extension meant more international trade business for Hong Kong.

"I'm excited about the expansion because the extra space here will give us the ability to grow the largest shows that are out of space, but have indicated that HKCEC is the best place for them.

"International business people really like it here. They like the centrality, and it is important to make them happy.

"By taking the larger shows and moving them to the new exhibition area, we can also free up some of the existing space which is more multipurpose and designed for international trade fairs.

"For example, international meetings that want to be in Hong Kong will now have that opportunity. We are firstly an exhibition centre and secondly a convention and congress centre, but the fact that peak periods for both sections of the business are the same, it is hard to fit them all in. The extra exhibition space will really help the city to be able to accommodate more international business, and that is a big plus for Hong Kong." 

Related link:
HKCEC www.hkcec.com
CEI Asia Pacific www.ceiasia.com