Hong Kong’s Physical Fairs Attract Over a Million Visits in the Second Quarter of 2021
From April to June, Hong Kong’s exhibition scene has been picking up more momentum with the return of a series of close to 20 physical exhibitions at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Featuring a wide variety of products and services ranging from technology, and lifestyle, to arts and jewelry, the successful fairs attracted over a million visits under the pandemic, which is a promising sign for the exhibition industry.
The positive response clearly indicates that the value of physical shows is high, and Hong Kong has demonstrated how to resume large-scale business events safely and seamlessly and pave the way for further recovery including international conventions and trade fairs.
Kenneth Wong, General Manager, MICE & Cruise of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, shares that "We are delighted to see such a strong pick-up in demand for physical fairs. These events are a good demonstration of Hong Kong's readiness to welcome business events of any scale, and an encouraging sign for the exhibition industry that the physical show is invaluable, and we are very much looking forward to a resumption of more trade fairs in the coming months.”
Inaugural physical show drives future of business
“GOVirtual Business Expo is newly launched to provide a one-stop trade platform to support enterprises to unlock and capture the boundless potential of virtual business in the post-pandemic economy, and to encourage active interactions between tech industry and business sectors which will inspire frequent cooperation.” says Culsin Li, Managing Director of Baobab Tree Event, organizer of GOVirtual Business Expo, with which the GS1 HK Summit is co-located.”
Strengthening the city’s position as a leading exhibition hub
The city’s recent success in hosting physical events in a safe and seamless manner and the enthusiastic response from the public, together with the strong free venue rental support from the HKSAR government, all are solid encouragement for the city’s upcoming B2B trade shows, such as Jewelry & Gem ASIA Hong Kong held by Informa Markets in late June, the inaugural HKTDC International Sourcing Show and TKS Exhibition’s International Travel Expo Hong Kong in July, just a few of the city’s even stronger line-up in the third quarter.
Lee-Müller of HML highlights that “the Government’s Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme can certainly strengthen our competitiveness in attracting exhibitors and buyers and reinforce the city’s position as the region’s leading exhibition hub.” The subsidy scheme will be extended for six months to 30 June, 2022 to benefit more convention and exhibition activities and enhance the confidence of event organizers in staging activities in Hong Kong.
