HKECIA welcomes support for expanding event space but urges government to provide relief for businesses affected by COVID-19

The Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) has welcomed HKSAR Government’s recognition of the importance of further supporting Hong Kong’s convention and exhibition industry by expanding the capacity of event space in the city, however, HKECIA also urges the government to provide more support to the industry until business events affected by COVID-19 can fully rebound.

HKECIA was established in 1990 to promote Hong Kong as a world-class exhibition and conference destination and the trade fair capital of Asia Pacific.

HKECIA supports the Government’s reconfirmation of the plan to redevelop the sites of the three government towers in Wan Chai North and the Kong Wan Fire Station (opposite to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre) into convention and exhibition facilities, hotel and Grade A office, and the Airport Authority’s plan to invest in the construction of phase two of the AsiaWorld-Expo. The plans were first introduced in 2017 Policy Address. These two projects in total will increase convention and exhibition space by more than 40%.

HKECIA Chairman, Stuart Bailey advised “over the past three decades, Hong Kong has successfully positioned itself as the Trade Fair Capital of Asia and brought enormous benefits to Hong Kong’s reputation and economy, the HKECIA is resolute not to let this position slip as Hong Kong’s key advantages over other cities in the region remain strong. The effects of the global pandemic have hit hard all stakeholders in our industry. We are still confident that we will beat this virus and that face-to-face exhibitions will come back stronger than ever combined with new ideas that will enhance deal-making and measurable business outcomes for all participants.

“Hong Kong is experiencing another peak period of COVID-19 epidemic and unfortunately some exhibitions have been further postponed and cancelled. The HKEICA urges the government to provide more support and relief to the industry until business events can fully rebound, especially to the contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers, whose business is hugely affected by the pandemic since February 2020.  If they cannot survive, our industry is unable to bounce back quickly after the pandemic.”

The convention and exhibition industry has contributed a great deal to the Hong Kong economy over the years, in terms of expenditure, creating jobs in the exhibition industry and other service and supporting sectors and enhancing Hong Kong’s international image.

HKECIA is a member of UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and AFECA – The Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations.

For more information on HKECIA go to www.exhibitions.org.hk

Image: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)