Lai, incoming chairperson of the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association on braces industry for challenges from the conclusion of support measures to an uncertain global outlook.
Hong Kong hosted 152 large-scale exhibitions in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest annual survey released by the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA).
The survey, which tracks exhibitions occupying more than 2,000sqm of floor space, showed total event numbers rising above 2019 levels despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
Among the 152 exhibitions staged during the year, 95 were categorised as trade or trade-and-consumer events, representing an 18.8% increase compared with 2024. The remaining 57 were consumer exhibitions.
Visitor attendance at trade and trade-and-consumer exhibitions reached 1.62 million, recovering to 87% of the 1.86 million recorded in 2019.
Total exhibition space rented also increased 11.5% year-on-year to more than 924,000sqm.
Chairman of HKECIA Wendy Lai said the results reflected continued demand for Hong Kong as an international exhibitions hub, supported in part by the government’s Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions (ISRE 2.0).
However, the survey also highlighted that exhibitor participation across trade and trade-and-consumer events declined 8% year-on-year, falling from nearly 52,000 to around 47,000 companies.
International visitor numbers also dropped 17.5% to 115,000 attendees.
“While the industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and capability, it faces significant headwinds ahead. An uncertain global economic outlook, policy volatility, and the conclusion of government support measures such as ISRE 2.0 are expected to place considerable financial pressure on organisers, making it more challenging to launch new themed exhibitions and sustain recurring events,” Lai added.
The association also announced leadership changes for its 2026-2028 executive committee term. Stuart Bailey has stepped down from the executive committee after serving as chairman since 2016 and will assume the role of Honorary Life President.
Lai, VP of Global Sources, serves as chairman for the new term, while Andy Luk of Informa Markets Asia has been appointed executive vice chairman.
The 18-member Executive Committee also includes representatives from AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Pico International.