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| Trade fair capital set to roar in a year of prestigious events ( 01/01/2005 ) | |||||||||
Well established as a conference hub, with its first class airport, hotel, conference and exhibition facilities, Hong Kong regularly hosts international gatherings from all sectors and industries. A glance at the packed calendar ahead shows that its reputation is set to be further enhanced this year. The "biggest" event, in terms of sheer numbers, is the Lions Clubs International Convention to be held at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from June 27 - July 1. This is set to be Hong Kong's biggest single convention to date, with around 22,000 Lions Club members and their families gathering from more than 100 countries to meet, network and enjoy all that Hong Kong has to offer. A popular venue Lions Clubs International president Clement F. Kusiak said Hong Kong had proved to be a popular venue among Lions around the globe. "I remember well the outstanding convention we held in Hong Kong in 1992. I'm certain that all Lions will enjoy visiting and exploring your beautiful city. They will also take advantage of the outstanding opportunities offered by ong Kong'slarge, modern and convenient convention centre with its variety of meeting spaces and the wide selection of accommodations close to the convention centre". Another major event of 2005 is the 6th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), to be held from December 13 - 18. Held every two years, the Ministerial Conference is the WTO's highest-level decision-making body, attracting some 10,000 delegates including many top world leaders and government ministers. Hong Kong's offer to host the conference is seen as a further demonstration of China's commitment to the WTO. With 30 major conferences held at HKCEC up to the third quarter, 2004 is forecasted to be a record year in the facility's history. In 2005, five new exhibitions are scheduled to take place, including two new exhibitions - the hospitality design exhibition HD Asia in June and Aircraft Interior Expo Asia in September - which are moving to Hong Kong from their current locations in North America and Europe to be staged for the first time in Asia. Expo portfolio widens
Other prestigious events in the 2005 line-up include Christie's Spring Auctions (May 26 - June 1), the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attraction Asian Expo (July 13-15) and Christie's Autumn Auctions (November 24 -30). In November, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from around the world will gather for the annual SME World Expo organised by the Trade Development Council.
In 2006, Hong Kong will host ITU Telecom World, one of the world's most prestigious and largest international events. This will be the first time in the event's 30-year history that it has been held outside of Geneva. Hong Kong Tourism Board executive director Clara Chong said the ITU's decision lifts Hong Kong into a new league as an international conventions and exhibitions destination. "It also provides powerful recognition of our city's ability to stage major, world-class events," she said. Most parts of ITU Telecom World will be staged at the new AsiaWorld-Expo facility adjacent to Hong Kong International Airport - one of several important new tourism projects coming on stream in the next few years which will help make Hong Kong even more attractive to organisers and delegates. Related links | |||||||||
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