- PartnerNet - Hong Kong Tourism Board

TAKES CENTRE STAGE
FOR EXHIBITIONS
The Trade Fair Capital
of Asia
Keeping pace with Hong Kong, the
city’s exhibition sector has enjoyed phenomenal
growth over the years, and the industry today
is considered a world leader. The diversity of
shows, their size and scale, the ever-increasing
attendances, and the number of repeat annual
events justify the city’s claim to be the trade fair
capital of Asia.
Four core strengths underpin this distinction
and play an indispensable part in making every
exhibition staged in the city a success.
Hong Kong is an important international financial,
aviation and maritime hub in the region. This
makes it a natural choice for logistics operations
and trade fairs, in addition to being the regional
headquarters of many corporations. It is also an
emerging hub for technology, arts and culture,
with these sectors seeing rapid growth over the
past few years.
Located at the heart of Asia, Hong Kong offers
easy access to key markets across the region, with
unrivalled connectivity and convenience for travel.
It has long been a major trade entrepôt and, for
several years, has been ranked as the world’s
freest economy. It is acknowledged as the
gateway to China, and has well-established trade
partnerships with key markets, and all the main
trade and economic organisations in the region.
The city’s prime location and open outlook are
backed by sophisticated infrastructure and allround support. There are world-class venues and
services for exhibitions, and a diverse choice
of hotels to fit any budget. The local transport
network is easy to navigate, efficient, safe and
inexpensive. Whatever your needs, high-quality
professional services and practical assistance are
readily available.
Hong Kong is a stable and secure society and is
extremely business-friendly. Policy decisions and
regulations are based firmly on the rule of law,
while taxes and duties are kept to a minimum.
Together with a free flow of information, strong
protection of intellectual property rights, and a stable
and fully convertible currency, these advantages
make the city an ideal place to do business.
“Currently, Hong Kong hosts five of the world’s largest trade exhibitions
and seven of Asia’s largest. These have reinforced and publicised
Hong Kong as a reliable, successful and dynamic place to do business.”
Daniel Cheung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Exhibition and
Convention Industry Association
“Trade exhibitions in Hong Kong provide the
ideal sourcing platform for all types of products
manufactured across Asia.”
Javed Khan, General Manager of Kenfair
“Hong Kong’s historical background and
international business environment allow the
free flow of different ideas.”
Tommy Wong, President of Global
Sources Exhibitions
“Hong Kong has excellent flight connections.
Our visitors come from many countries, and we need to
ensure that there will be no hurdles for them.”
Michael Duck, Executive Vice-President of UBM Asia
Strategic Hub for Asia
“The choice of
Hong Kong was
logical. First, we
wanted to do a
pan-Asian show,
and we also needed
an international travel hub with
easy access. The city’s world-class
telecommunications infrastructure,
hi-tech image and support of
business are very important for
this kind of industry show.”
Renaud Hamaide, CEO,
Comexposium
Cartes in Asia
28-29 March, 2012
(3rd edition since 2010)
115
72
exhibitors
(latest figure in 2012)
speakers
2,800
visitors from
55 countries
www.cartes-asia.com
Multinational corporations are drawn to
Hong Kong, thanks to the city’s strong reputation as a
profit-generating business hub.
The city has evolved into an international business and financial
centre, with a transport system that is second to none. More than
3,600 multinationals have set up their regional headquarters and the
city is also a natural choice for logistics operations and trade fairs.
Nevertheless, Hong Kong is more than just finance, as it
has made remarkable progress in advanced technology and
telecommunications. The city has transformed itself from
a barren rock into a sophisticated metropolis, aiming to perfect
itself as an international cultural hub. Spearheading this strategic
ambition is the West Kowloon Cultural District project being built
by the government at a cost of US$2.8 billion. The first phase
of this world-class arts and cultural facility is expected to open
in 2015. The government is also keen to redevelop some
historical buildings for cultural purposes.
Hong Kong also has an excellent broadband connectivity and
fast-average internet speed. It ranked sixth globally in 2011,
with 82 per cent of local households already having broadband
access. The city also has a comprehensive mobile broadband
network, with more than 10,000 government and commercial
Wi-fi hot spots installed across the city. In addition, the Octopus
card, launched in 1997, is one of the most widely used smartcard
payment systems found anywhere in the world.
The tech-savvy image of Hong Kong, together with its
international character and ease of doing business, have
persuaded the organisers of key technology shows to host
major events in the city, such as Cartes in Asia, the regional
version of the CARTES event in Paris.
ART HK
17-20 May, 2012
(5th edition since 2008)
266
galleries from 38 countries
One of the lesser-known facts about Hong Kong is that,
besides its commercial success, the city is also an emerging hub
for arts and cultural events and the centre of Asia’s fast-growing
auction market. Thanks to the presence of a large number of
international galleries and collectors, it has quickly become the
world’s third largest art market, measured by sales at auction,
after New York and London.
Hong Kong prides itself on being the venue for world-leading
arts fairs, such as ART HK, which brings together collectors,
curators, artists and galleries from around the world. They have
the opportunity to network and discover a rare quality and
diversity of exhibits. ART HK has held five shows and has
achieved rapid growth. The event will take on a new guise as
the first Hong Kong edition of Art Basel in 2013.
67,205
visitors (up 6%)
www.hongkongartfair.com
“The launch
of Art Basel in
Hong Kong in
2013 is a clear
indication of the
city’s potential of
establishing itself as a premier
location for Contemporary and
Modern art in Asia.”
Magnus Renfrew,
Director Asia, Art Basel
Easy Accessibility
to Key Markets
“Hong Kong is
the most logical
choice and has
easy access for
seafood. It’s a
major hub and
advances our business interests
because it’s a great location for
people to come. The high levels
of seafood consumption in the
Asian market, and the ease of
trade in and out of Hong Kong,
provide a huge opportunity
for companies.”
Mary Larkin,
Group Vice-President, Diversified
Business Communications
For exhibition organisers, factors such as a favourable
geographic location, unrivalled business opportunities, excellent
transport links and easy travel access are key considerations when
choosing the destination for their event. They want a city that
supports the principles of a free economy and has established
trade partnerships with all the key markets, especially the
mainland, which is expected to drive future demand for nearly all
key industries.
Hong Kong no doubt can fulfil all these needs. It has been rated
the world’s freest economy for the past 17 consecutive years by
the Heritage Foundation in the United States. Tariffs and other
restrictions are kept to a minimum, a policy that has made
Hong Kong a long-established trading centre in Asia, with total
trade volume reaching US$911 billion in 2011. Its status as the
gateway to China is best illustrated by the fact that the mainland
accounted for 48.5 per cent of Hong Kong’s total trade volume
last year.
Hong Kong is strategically located. It is connected with most
urban centres in Asia and half of the world’s population within
five hours’ flight time.Travel to Hong Kong has always been easy,
with the government now offering visa-free access to citizens of
170-plus countries and territories.
For exhibition organisers, these advantages mean their shows
in Hong Kong can draw a higher number of participants and
visitors from different countries. Exhibits can be delivered to the
venue in the shortest possible time, something which is especially
important for perishable items such as seafood.
This helps make Hong Kong the ideal place for seafood
exhibitions. Once a fishing port, the city now ranks as the
world’s fourth-largest importer. The city is also easily accessible
to Asian markets that have an insatiable appetite for seafood
– amounting to US$3 billion worth, or two-thirds of the world’s
total consumption.
Demand is particularly strong from China, which has turned
from a net exporter of seafood to a major importer due to
soaring demand for high-end seafood as people’s incomes
continue to rise.
This also explains the success of the annual Asian Seafood Expo
– the Asian version of prestigious events such as the European
Seafood Exposition in Brussels and the International Boston
Seafood Show in the United States – where retail, food service
and distribution buyers connect with suppliers of live, fresh,
frozen and packaged seafood products.
Asian Seafood
Exposition
6-8 September, 2011 (2nd edition
on 11-13 September, 2012)
146
exhibitors from 24 countries
4,505
buyers from 50 countries
www.asianseafoodexpo.com
Sophisticated
Infrastructure,
Professional Support
“This [fresh fruit] is
a global business.
We needed to find
a place where
people can fly in
easily from all parts
of the world. Hong Kong has
excellent flight connections. There
is also a wide spectrum of hotels
to fit every budget with convenient
access to the exhibition venue.”
Gérald Lamusse,
Managing Director,
Global Product Events GmbH
Business people everywhere appreciate two things
– speed and convenience. With often hectic travel schedules,
they know the importance of fast connections, reliable airline
services, efficient local transport and easy-to-navigate venues
made for everyone.
Hong Kong is globally connected with sophisticated transport
infrastructure. The city’s award-winning international airport is
consistently one of the world’s busiest, with passenger and
cargo flights providing frequent connections to and from all
corners of the globe. The airport supports more than 100 airlines
and is still expanding. They already provide links to more than
160 international destinations. Getting around Hong Kong is
equally easy with an express train, subway, taxi and other forms
of transport.
The convenient and efficient transport infrastructure is further
supported by state-of-the-art exhibition facilities catering to the
needs of every event, whatever its nature and size. The city boasts
two premier venues – Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition
Centre (HKCEC), which has long been recognised as a worldclass facility, and the AsiaWorld-Expo, which is fully integrated
with the Hong Kong International Airport. When it comes to
accommodation, Hong Kong has more than 60,000 rooms
available, from luxury to budget hotels.
With fast, sophisticated infrastructure and easy accessibility,
Hong Kong has become the preferred location for buyers and
sellers to meet and establish business networks. In addition, the
high level of professional services and the “can-do” work attitude
of local people are other key elements behind Hong Kong’s
success as a regional exhibitions hub. The city boasts a host
of well-qualified, experienced service providers to take care of
everything, from packing and overseas shipping to booth design
and construction. This means exhibits can be delivered and set up
at top speed.
For the fresh fruit industry, an added benefit for choosing
Hong Kong as the distribution point is that there are no import
restrictions or duty on fresh produce, including many of Asia’s
famed exotic fruits, for which there is an increasing international
appetite as consumers in China and international markets
acquire a taste for new flavours and experiences.
Recent government figures reflect this, showing that, in 2011,
more than 51 per cent of fruit and vegetable imports, with
a total value of US$3.6 billion, were subsequently re-exported
to other markets.
Recognising the great opportunities, Asia Fruit Logistica – the
region’s only major trade event focused on the fresh fruit and
vegetable business – has chosen the city as the venue for its
annual exhibition and conference since 2008.
Excellent results have followed, with the event quickly establishing
itself as a leading show for the fresh fruit and vegetable trade in
Asia. The 2012 event was held in September at the AsiaWorldExpo, with a larger exhibition area to cope with increased
demand for space.
Asia Fruit
Logistica
5-7 September, 2012
(6th edition since 2007)
5,722
visitors (up 7 per cent)
from 64 countries
341
exhibitors from 30 countries
www.asiafruitlogistica.com
Secure, Business-friendly
Environment
“Hong Kong is,
and will continue to
be, one of the most
attractive places in
Asia to do business,
and there is no
location as perfect as Vinexpo
Asia-Pacific for wine and spirits
professionals to network and
exchange ideas. The Asia-Pacific
market continues to develop
and still has great potential for
growth, and we believe that
Vinexpo Asia-Pacific will continue
to play a major role in shaping
the business in this region.”
Robert Beynat, Chief Executive,
Vinexpo Overseas
As a Special Administrative Region of China,
Hong Kong has an independent judiciary to uphold the rule of
law. This has resulted in a politically stable and secure environment,
often commended as one of the world’s safest cities to visit. It is
also a great place to do business with low rates of tax and a clear
system of regulations. For exhibitions, import and export licensing
requirements are kept to a minimum, and there is no import tax
for exhibits.
Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city where business people from
every part of the world will feel at home. Its history as a melting
pot and a meeting place for influences from East and West gives
a character for cultural diversity and vibrant lifestyles. English is
widely used.
While Hong Kong has an open economy with free flow of capital,
goods and information, it also strives to promote the growth of
industries by protecting intellectual property rights. The goal is
to provide a business-friendly environment so that industries can
expand and prosper.
Vinexpo
Asia-Pacific
The wine industry serves as an excellent example. Making
use of more than 40 years’ experience in wine trading and
specialist know-how, Hong Kong was able to further promote the
growth of the sector by imposing no duty on liquor with less
than 30 per cent alcohol content from February 2008. No excise
duty is paid on re-exports, and wine imports do not require a
licence or permit.
This policy, together with burgeoning demand in the region and
the opportunity to reach a large group of potential wine lovers on
the mainland, has helped to establish Hong Kong as the foremost
wine trading and distribution hub in Asia.
Vinexpo is the world’s largest wine and spirits trade exhibition
staged annually between Bordeaux and Hong Kong. The fifth
edition of the event was hosted in Hong Kong in May, and it
registered a record number of high-quality buyers and exhibitors.
The excellent results have been attributed to the growing demand
from Asia, especially China which, according to a survey by
International Wine and Spirit Research, has overtaken Britain as
the world’s fifth largest wine-consuming country.
29-31 May, 2012 (5th edition
since 2004, biennial event)
1,050
exhibitors from 28 countries
15,785
visitors (up 25 per cent) from
24 countries with increases
from Japan, Thailand, Taiwan,
Malaysia and China
10,500
square metres net exhibiting area
www.vinexpo.com
Sound Advice,
Year-round
Support
Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK)
offers tailor-made, value-added services for exhibitors and buyers
in need of customised assistance. It was set up in November 2008
by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to reinforce and grow
the city’s position as the premier destination in Asia for the
meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) sector.
A team of professionals makes MEHK the ideal resource for
one-stop support throughout the year. Knowing the exhibition
sector inside out, they can offer practical, precise advice and
plans for new, existing or expanded events.
MEHK is dedicated to providing exhibition organisers with a
host of services to make their events run more smoothly and
achieve the best possible results. This includes offering ideas and
expertise in areas such as business building, advisory services and
marketing support, and other hospitality options and services.
To retain present shows and grow new industry events, it offers
one-stop, customised support to exhibition organisers, and
extends a range of hospitality arrangements, such as dedicated
immigration counters at the airport and visitor counter at
the venue.
One of MEHK’s initiatives is the highly successful “Business Right
Here” campaign. Exhibition attendees who register for events
online within a specified time can enjoy a range of privileges and
discounts, covering airline travel, dining, shopping and transport.
It has been working with a number of partners to increase the
momentum of the Hong Kong MICE market, such as the partnership
with InvestHK, the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office (ETO) and
the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
It also co-operates with stakeholders and actively participates in
overseas trade events and promotions to showcase Hong Kong to
event organisers around the world.
“The professional back-up from MEHK was an important element to add
credibility to the fair and for recruiting overseas customers. Normally,
official bodies won’t exhibit at a new show, but we successfully
[attracted] nine official pavilions and visitors from 28 countries. MEHK’s
pre-show marketing support is efficient for new trade show promotions.”
Kenny Lo, CEO, Vertical Expo Services Company Limited
Mega Venue
Integrated
with Airport
“With its strategic location, AsiaWorld-Expo was the
definitive choice for our inaugural Vitafoods Asia 2011
as well as for exhibitors and buyers wanting greater
exposure to the fast-growing China and Asia market.”
Chris Lee, Event Director, Informa Exhibitions
AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) is a world-class venue
fully integrated with the Hong Kong International Airport. Its
strategic location offers trade show organisers not only easy
access, but also round-the-clock support. The state-of-theart facility is now an established focal point bringing together
business interests from China and around the world.
AWE offers more than 70,000 square metres of rentable space with
10 ground-level column-free halls. They include AsiaWorld-Arena
with a capacity of 14,000, the 5,000-seat AsiaWorld-Summit,
and the venue’s latest conference and function hall, Runway 11,
for 500 – 3,800 guests.
The complex is located at the centre of an extensive and efficient
air, land, and marine transport network which connects Hong Kong
to China’s Pearl River Delta and the world’s business capitals.
Landmark For
Success From
Day One
The purpose-built Hong Kong Convention
and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) makes a bold and
confident statement: This is the place to do business.
Long recognised as Asia’s best, the HKCEC offers a total of
91,500 square metres of rentable space, of which 66,000
square metres are spread across six main halls and able to stage
exhibitions of almost any kind. It also offers 52 meeting rooms,
multifunctional rental space, seven restaurants, two theatres, and
all the hi-tech support anyone could ever want.
The centre’s 930-strong team is committed to making every event
a success, offering professional service from event planning
and co-ordination, catering service, on-site technical support to
sercurity and crowd management.
“The HKCEC team is one of the most enthusiastic, responsive and willing
in its performance, with which Vinexpo has worked internationally.
A part of our decision to make Hong Kong our Vinexpo Asia-Pacific
destination is due to the confidence we have in the HKCEC team to help
us grow and improve the experience for our exhibitors and buyers.”
Robert Beynat, Chief Executive, Vinexpo Overseas
Leading the World
Hong Kong has steadily widened its exhibition portfolio over the years, now staging more than 100
leading international trade fairs annually. Twelve of these exhibitions are the largest of their kind in Asia,
and 19 are UFI-approved events*. In 2011, Hong Kong welcomed more than 700,000 visitors who
attended trade exhibitions**.
Setting Industry
Standards
The Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention
Industry Association (HKECIA) and its members have
a wealth of experience that exhibition organisers can draw on.
For more than 20 years, HKECIA has supported initiatives to
enhance professionalism and strengthen links with partners
overseas. Its efforts have played a significant part in helping
Hong Kong win acclaim as the trade fair capital of Asia.
The association provides a voice and a forum for companies
involved in different aspects of the exhibition business. Its
members form a network of professional support, including
organisers, designers, venue providers, stand contractors,
freight forwarders, and other professional service providers.
In recent years, it has put extra effort into promoting green
exhibitions. It has released a set of guidelines covering the
pre-show, show and post-show periods to help everyone involved
in the exhibition business reduce the amount of material and
energy used, so as to minimise the impact on the environment.
“Over the last two decades,
members of the HKECIA have
weathered ups and downs.
They have seen the exhibition
industry develop and flourish.
While we should celebrate
our success, there is no room
for complacency and there
are certain to be challenges
ahead. I believe that with
unity and commitment, we will
rise to meet these challenges
and contribute to promoting
Hong Kong as Asia’s trade
fair capital.”
Stanley Chu,
Honorary Life
President,
HKECIA
As of now, Hong Kong is host to***:
Five of world’s largest trade exhibitions
(based on 2011 edition):
• World’s biggest event focusing on commercial aviation –
Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress,
organised by Reed Exhibitions
• World’s biggest electronics event – HKTDC Hong Kong
Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), organised by the
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
• World’s biggest gifts event – HKTDC Hong Kong
Gifts & Premium Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade
Development Council
• World’s biggest timepiece event – HKTDC Hong Kong
Watch & Clock Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade
Development Council
• World’s No1 jewellery event – September Hong Kong
Jewellery & Gem Fair, organised by UBM Asia
Seven of Asia’s largest trade exhibitions
(based on 2011 edition):
• World’s second largest and Asia’s largest beauty event –
Cosmoprof Asia, organised by UBM Asia
• Asia’s biggest fashion event – HKTDC Hong Kong
Fashion Week for Fall/Winter, organised by the Hong Kong
Trade Development Council
• Asia’s biggest homeware event – HKTDC Hong Kong
Houseware Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade
Development Council
• Asia’s biggest entertainment event – HKTDC Hong Kong
International Film & TV Market (FILMART), organised by the
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
• Asia’s biggest licensing show – HKTDC Hong Kong
International Licensing Show, organised by the Hong Kong
Trade Development Council
• Asia’s biggest toy event – HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games
Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council
• Asia’s biggest wine event – HKTDC Hong Kong
Wine & Spirits Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade
Development Council
UFI Approved Events in Hong Kong
(as of Oct 2012)*:
• Asia-Pacific Leather Fair
• Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress
• Asian Elenex (Asian International Electrical Installation,
Transmission & Distribution and Energy Efficiency Show)
• Cosmoprof Asia (International Cosmetic and Perfume,
Toiletry and Hairdressing Exhibition)
• electronicAsia
• HOFEX (Asian International Exhibition of Food & Drink,
Hotel, Restaurant & Foodservice Equipment, Suppliers
& Services)
• Hong Kong International Toys & Gifts Show/Asian Gifts
Premium & Household Products Show - Mega Show Part One
• HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair
• HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair
• HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week
• HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair
• HKTDC Hong Kong Houseware Fair
• HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show
• HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair
• HKTDC Hong Kong Optical Fair
• HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair
• HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair
• Interstoff Asia Autumn (International Fabric Show)
• Mega Show Part Two
Exhibitions must meet strict set of rules governing quality and they must obtain the seal of approval from UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry
Source from HKECIA’s 2011 Annual Survey
***
Source from Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association press release titled “Report sees economic benefits of Hong Kong’s exhibition
industry climb to HK$35.8 billion in 2010 – up 18.6% from 2008”
*
**
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