Expanded HKCEC offers more than just space

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) has celebrated the first anniversary of the completion of its second expansion that increased total rentable space to 91,500 metre2.
The additional space has enabled the Centre to expand many of its existing shows as well as add new events to its already very extensive portfolio.
The expansion was also completed in conjunction with an upgrade to venue services, ensuring that HKCEC strengthened its position even further as Asiaâs top meeting, convention and exhibition venue.
Since the completion of the expansion through March 2010, a total of ten tenancies have made full use of all exhibition space. Among them, the September Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair 2009 organised by UBM Asia was the first event that fully expanded into the new space becoming the largest fair of its category in the world.
The total exhibition area contracted in the HKCEC during the last trading season between September and November 2009 grew over 33% compared with the same period in 2008, the year prior to the completion of the expansion.
To match the expanded exhibition space and to cater for the growing number of exhibitors and visitors, HKCEC has also upgraded some of its ancillary services, including the launch of new upscale food and beverage outlets and implementation of a new website, enhancing the enjoyable experience for all guests attending events and offering additional information resources regarding the Centre for users. Food & beverage services throughout the HKCEC are geared towards the needs of visitors from all over the world. Two new restaurants, New Shanghai and Harbour Road Café, are the latest addition to the Centreâs unique variety of food & beverage outlets, while Traders was relocated and given a complete makeover, bringing the total number of restaurants operating during mega exhibitions to seven. The expanded HKCEC now offers an array of international cuisines including Italian, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Shanghainese, Cantonese, local tea-house style specialties to suit most every desired taste of the visitors and users.