Wedding Fair: all smiles for soon-to-wed couples behind facemasks as they touched wedding gowns on display, tried on wedding rings and reviewed proposals of wedding venues. Photo Credit: HML
Following the success of the first post-COVID-19 fair to be held at Hong Kong Convention Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) late May, the venue is anticipating a return to regular events in the second half of 2020.
The vast majority of exhibitions in the HKCEC are recurrent and well established in the business calendar of the respective industries. Most affected events are now re-scheduled towards the later part of 2020 and early 2021.
Ahead of each event, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML) is communicating new procedures to exhibitors and visitors. No food consumption is allowed inside exhibition halls; social distancing takes place throughout; a cleaning robot keeps surfaces constantly disinfected; there is strict access control; face masks need to be worn at all times, and F&B outlets offer individually packed dishes served under cloches.
The 99th Fair incorporating Beauty & Fitness Expo 2020, taking place from 12 – 14 June, and The Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo will follow too, as planned, from 15 – 21 July.
“I am most excited to know that the annual Hong Kong Book Fair will be staged as planned during 15 to 21 July this year,” said Ms Monica Lee-Müller, MD of HML. “It has been the most well attended public exhibition at the HKCEC and previous editions easily attracted one million visitors. It is definitely an indication of ‘back to normal’.”
The 98th Hong Kong Wedding Fair in May, implemented a series of stringent preventive measures to ensure hygiene in the HKCEC, said organiser, Ms Priscilla Lo, director Hongkong-Asia Exhibition (Holdings).
“We also compiled an emergency preparedness plan,” she added. “Exhibitors and visitors felt safe to participate in the event. We were glad to continue our cooperation in the upcoming 99th Hong Kong Wedding Fair.”
Ms Monica Lee-Müller said: “When the Wedding Fair opened, I was thrilled to see many soon-to-wed couples visiting, full of anticipation. Sweet smiles were obvious even behind facemasks as they touched wedding gowns on display, tried wedding rings or reviewed proposals of wedding venues.
“Their enthusiasm is a solid testimony that people need to build trust through face-to-face interaction,” she added. “They need to touch and feel beautiful materials and jewellery. More than ever, I remain confident about our industry’s bright future.”