Hong Kong goes into Exhibition+ mode

Hybrid model includes a physical fair, business matching, seminars and an online sourcing platform.

(Centre) Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau and Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association chairman Stuart Bailey.
(Centre) Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau and Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association chairman Stuart Bailey. Photo Credit: Hong Kong Trade Development Council

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has launched a new hybrid exhibition model, dubbed 'Exhibition+', in a bid to bolster its exhibitions and tradeshow sector.

Exhibition+ comprises four key exhibition elements, including HKTDC-organised physical fairs, a smart business-matching platform Click2Match, online-to-offline seminars under the Intelligence Hub, and an online sourcing platform.

With Exhibition+, exhibitors can display their products to buyers on a website one month before the physical tradeshow, while buyers can browse for products and shortlist exhibitors.

One week before the physical event, both buyers and exhibitors can actively search for business targets through the Click2Match platform, check out AI-recommended leads and send meeting requests.

During the physical event, they can meet in-person or online via Click2Match, while further online meetings can be scheduled and conducted up to one week after the fair.

Post show, exhibitors can still receive sourcing enquiries from buyers up to one month after the actual physical event.

Smart business-matching platform Click2Match features meeting scheduling, video conferencing, instant messaging, message translation (up to 14 languages), and file-sharing functions to facilitate easy communication between buyers and suppliers.

Fair attendees need just one account to seamlessly connect to the various HKTDC online platforms, allowing them to navigate between tradeshow event websites, Click2Match, the online sourcing and marketplace. In addition, a series of online and offline seminars and conferences will be hosted during exhibition periods, helping attendees tap into the latest market trends by attending activities in person or watching via livestream or playback.

In the meantime, the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association recently held its annual conference, where industry stakeholders discussed business events opportunities for the Greater Bay area and recovery strategy for Hong Kong's convention and exhibition industry.