Pictured: Inaugural HKTDC Lifestyle Shopping Fest.
Despite challenges in the global events industry, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) hosted 20 exhibitions in a short span of two months (April - June), attracting more than a million physical delegates.
These exhibitions ran the gamut of industries, from technology and lifestyle to arts and jewellery. One such event was Art Basel Hong Kong, a sold-out live event that ran from 29 to 30 May, which also included an online component.
This follows HKCEC's first event in 2021, which gathered delegates from nine countries in February.
The positive response underscores the value of physical shows, with exhibitors showing confidence in Hong Kong's management of events in a pandemic environment.
Seeing good return on investment from physical events are companies such as Hongkong-Asia Exhibition (Holdings) Ltd, organiser of the 18th Hong Kong Mega Showcase, the 19th Hong Kong Food Festival, the 21st Hong Kong Homex 2021 and the e-Expo & Auto HK.
Director Priscilla Lo lauded the HKCEC's "support and flexibility" for allowing events to run smoothly.
Apart from consumer fairs, HKCEC also hosted events such as the 20th GS1 Hong Kong Summit in Q2.Likewise opening to pent-up demand was the five-day inaugural Lifestyle ShoppingFest of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) from 28 April to 2 May, with a turnout of 430 exhibitors and more than 55,000 consumers.
Kenneth Wong, general manager, MICE & Cruise of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), commented: "These events demonstrate Hong Kong's readiness to welcome business events of any scale. They are an encouraging sign that the physical show is invaluable to the exhibitions industry and we are very much looking forward to a resumption of more trade fairs in the coming months."
Benjamin Chau, deputy executive director of the HKTDC echoed these sentiments, adding that "75% of exhibitors believe physical shows can help boost their business, while 82% of visitors were satisfied with the health and safety measures at the show".
Next, the HKTDC will host three concurrent trade fairs in July, said to be its first B2B trade show since the onset of the pandemic.
Also happening in Q3 is TKS Exhibition's International Travel Expo Hong Kong happening on 29 July.
Fuelling this pipeline of in-person events is a combination of pent-up demand and government support, with a scheme offering free venue rental for exhibitions held at the HKCEC.
The venue rental concession is part of the Government's Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme, which was recently extended by six months to 30 June, 2022.
The first part of the scheme subsidises 50% of participation fees for exhibitors at events organised by HKTDC, capped at HK$10,000 (US$1,288) per standard booth and 10 booths per exhibitor each time. The second component, applicable to organisers of exhibitions and conventions held at the HKCEC, covers 100% of the venue rental without a cap.
"The scheme can strengthen our competitiveness in attracting exhibitors and buyers and reinforce the city's position as the region's leading exhibition hub," said Monica Lee-Müller, managing director of HML (Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited).