AsiaWorld-Expo’s next phase of development, set for completion in 2028, will add 30,000 sqm of flexible space.
Today’s mega conventions are the most demanding tests of a destination’s MICE readiness. Success requires an entire system to work in sync, from airport connectivity and accommodation supply to venue operations and delegate experiences that extend beyond the closing keynote.
Location as a strategic asset
For large international conventions, connectivity is the starting point. Hong Kong’s position as a regional hub – with direct flights to more than 200 destinations worldwide – makes it accessible for international and regional attendees alike.
Its proximity to Macao and the Greater Bay Area, one of Asia’s most dynamic economic corridors, extends that advantage further: the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge provides efficient cross-border access, expanding the potential attendance base from Mainland China while opening up multi-destination options for pre- or post-conference extensions.
Hong Kong’s boasts a desirable airport-adjacent location, adaptable spaces and a highly-skilled team that offers end-to-end event support.Within Hong Kong's Airport City sits AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), a world-class exhibition centre connected directly to Hong Kong International Airport and linked to the city centre by rail, making it a natural gateway for international conventions and exhibitions.
An integrated support system
As events grow more complex, organisers increasingly value venue partners that offer operational expertise, dedicated support and strong local networks.
For the Lions International Convention 2026 (LionsCon 2026), expected to welcome close to 20,000 delegates from 3-7 July 2026, AWE has taken on the role of a "super-connector”, brokering cross-sector partnerships to deliver an integrated experience for thousands of international delegates and their families.
For the upcoming Lions International Convention, AWE will act as a super-connector, facilitating partnerships between event organisers and key players in Hong Kong’s tourism and hospitality industry.Beyond venue logistics, the exhibition centre has deepened ties with hotel partners, connected organisers with key players in tourism and hospitality, and partnered with Airport Authority Hong Kong to craft bespoke shopping offers and hospitality services. Such initiatives illustrate the wider economic benefits large-scale events can generate across multiple sectors.
"For large-scale international events, we function as a strategic partner and ecosystem connector,” says AsiaWorld-Expo CEO Irene Chan. “We help organisers craft seamless delegate experiences while unlocking Hong Kong's broader tourism, hospitality and business networks."
Adaptable spaces, bespoke services
Flexibility has become a key requirement for event planners. Increasingly, organisers are seeking venues that can adapt layouts, activations and F&B concepts to different audiences and objectives. Each event at AWE is treated as a unique brief, with daily layout changeover, immersive activations, or F&B concepts tailored to specific audiences and objectives across its 70,000 sqm space.
“We do not just provide space – we help create experiences,” Chan adds. “Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, we work closely with organisers from the earliest planning stages to understand their goals, target audience, brand values and desired outcomes.”
Each event at AWE is treated as a unique brief, with daily layout changeover, immersive activations, or F&B concepts tailored to specific audiences and objectives.Earlier in 2026, six halls were transformed for the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show into a world-class showjumping arena complete with a retail village and premium hospitality. For the Cigna Healthcare HYROX Hong Kong – Asia's largest HYROX race to date – the convention venue configured festival-like spaces where 20,000 athletes from 60 countries moved between fitness challenges, live music and Hong Kong-inspired interactive games under one roof.
For LionsCon 2026, the organiser is bringing a night market to life inside one of expo’s halls – a cultural and culinary showcase featuring around ten renowned food and beverage partners offering local delicacies and Asian fare, creating opportunities for informal networking within a lively setting.
For events seeking recurring editions and room to scale, AWE is currently undergoing a next phase of development, which will deliver an additional 30,000 sqm of dynamic, flexible spaces that can support greater creativity in event design – enabling greater creativity in event design in its total 100,000 sqm expansion.
Sustainability as a standard
As sustainability evolves from a desirable feature to a procurement standard, many associations and corporate event organisers now evaluate venues based on environmental credentials, resource efficiency and responsible event delivery.
Visitors at family-oriented shows set in AWE had access to interactive recycling stations with clear sustainability messaging.AWE became the first venue in Asia-Pacific to receive certification from A Greener Future – a reflection of its commitment to low-carbon operations and smart infrastructure, including an AI-driven building management system that optimises energy use across every hall and meeting room. High-impact, low-consumption LED walls and digital displays installed at strategic spots throughout the venue give exhibitors and corporate clients more ways to engage audiences without the environmental cost of traditional production.
The commitment extends to individual events. At ComplexCon Hong Kong and Con-Con Hong Kong, practical steps such as source separation, food waste recycling, public education and venue-led waste management were implemented, while visitors at public events like the Children's Book Fair & Super Parents & Kids Expo had access to interactive recycling stations with clear sustainability messaging and family-friendly activities.
The experience factor
Perhaps the biggest shift in convention planning is the rising demand for delegate experiences beyond the meeting room. AWE has responded by building destination programming directly into its event support. During the 92nd UFI Global Congress in late 2025, delegates seamlessly moved from business keynotes to networking breaks over mahjong and from panel discussions to city tours aboard a heritage tram.
Delegates at the UFI Global Congress engaged in games of mahjong in between plenary sessions.Hong Kong's transport infrastructure expands the possibilities further. The HZMB, high-speed rail connections and ferry services from Central make heritage tours in Macao, tech-immersive visits to Shenzhen and wellness escapes in Zhuhai all realistic pre- and post-event extensions.
But the experience doesn't end when the itinerary does. For senior executives, AWE can facilitate access to the HKIA VIP Lounge, which offers a practical solution for time-pressed schedules. Airline check-in, security, immigration and customs can all be completed in a private, unhurried setting, with gourmet dining, shower facilities and chauffeured transfers to the gate available.
The future of mega conventions will not be defined solely by venue size, but by a destination’s ability to combine accessibility, technology, sustainability, operational expertise and authentic experiences into a cohesive event ecosystem. As organisers look for greater value and deeper engagement, destinations that can deliver this integration will be best positioned to win the next generation of global events.
Find out how AsiaWorld-Expo can support your next event at asiaworld-expo.com.