Six ways to make events more meaningful for audiences in 2023

As live events return, there is a tangible feeling of excitement and anticipation about physically attending corporate and association gatherings once again. Expectations of in-person meetings have never been higher, and Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo – which recently completed an extensive HK$600 million (US$77 million) revamp spanning more than 70,000sqm – has raised the bar for truly unique events and meetings.

Creative and flexible space

From the simplest boardroom set-up to the intricacies of mega events, organisers need a portfolio of spaces, private and open, to choose from and work within. AsiaWorld-Expo’s selection of multiple versatile spaces under one roof provides event organisers with flexible options to meet all types of events and client preferences.

AsiaWorld-Arena’s VIP lounge and backstage areas, for instance, have been luxuriously renovated. These can be used for VIP “green room” hospitality, speaker preparation, conference organisation administration, or for cocktail receptions and other functions.

The Meeting & Hospitality Centre offers excellent choices for small and mid-sized gatherings. Again, flexibility is a key factor, with the ability to partition rooms for break-out meetings depending on the scale of the event. The upgraded digital suites provide an exceptional environment for interactive webinars and secure videoconferencing.

Plus, planners will also find that AsiaWorld-Expo has paid close attention to the finer elements of interior design, refurbishing carpets, ceilings and wall fabrics, accenting elegance and comfort as well as functionality in these rooms.

Enhanced in-person experiences

Each and every event is unique but ensuring especially memorable and impactful experiences is an art, and one best enjoyed in person. Home to the largest seated indoor venue in Hong Kong with a capacity of 14,000, the upgraded AsiaWorld-Arena with its retractable seat riser allows more varied and creative seating configurations than before, offering tremendous flexibility in stage design and improved audience visibility and participation. In addition, new acoustic panels deliver world-class sound quality across the whole arena, sharpening the combined senses of sight and sound for event attendees.

Taken together these new features at AsiaWorld-Expo provide those organising large-scale events with a greater degree of flexibility to craft more imaginative seating layouts. For delegates too, it means no awkward fidgeting to get the best view or straining to catch a speaker’s remarks.

Seamless connectivity

Today’s meeting organisers and conference delegates demand the best possible digital bandwidth both for the event programme itself as well as for their personal devices. While in-person events are making a welcome comeback, hybrid blends of physical and some virtual elements are certainly here to stay. In Hong Kong, AsiaWorld-Expo leads the way and is the first major venue to install super-fast Wi-Fi 6 and 5G technologies, which seamlessly support livestreaming.

The Meeting & Hospitality Centre offers full access to a suite of modernised audio-visual and video-conferencing equipment, including LED video walls, allowing easy virtual participation. Similarly, a Mobile Studio even offers a transportable solution for larger events and this standalone sound-proofed booth can be set up at various locations within the centre.

Digital connectivity aside, access to AsiaWorld-Expo is also outstanding. The centre has its very own AsiaWorld-Expo Station connected directly to both Hong Kong International Airport, just a couple of minutes away, and the Central Business District just over 20 minutes away on the Airport Express rail link. Cross-border travel to Greater Bay Area cities, such as Macau and Zhuhai, can also be made within one hour. 

Smart solutions for safety

AsiaWorld-Expo was conceived with individual delegate comfort and safety in mind. Its recent revamp has alleviated these worries by introducing state-of-the-art sanitisation systems and procedures, from touch-free devices, sterilisation robots, air-handling units with UV light, ozone water systems and a 3-in-1 CLeanTech disinfection system. These are all designed to reassure delegates and organisers alike, while ensuring a safe and stress-free event.

Inclusivity, comfort and convenience

As every organiser knows, many events can have very lopsided gender ratios, leading to long inconvenient queues for attendees at women’s washrooms to freshen up. Convertible male-female washrooms provide an ingenious solution, enhancing delegate privacy and comfort, while saving female delegates’ time and frustration. Around 75% of the male washrooms can be converted in this way. There’s also improved signage for seating and amenities, so attendees can navigate this huge complex easily.

Strong show of support

In an era of tight corporate budgets, meeting planners can also take advantage of generous government support. As entry rules to Hong Kong ease, the city’s authorities are extending its generous subsidies for international events.

There is a 100% rental subsidy to all qualified organisers of international conventions at AsiaWorld-Expo with over 400 participants (at least 50% of whom must come from outside Hong Kong). This programme runs through 30 June 2023. In addition, the Hong Kong government is launching a new HK$1.4 billion (US$180 million) scheme from mid 2023, to subsidise more than 200 exhibitions in upcoming three years.

Start planning your next meeting and discover how AsiaWorld-Expo helps world-class events get even better. For further information, click here.

This article is brought to you by AsiaWorld-Expo