The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (“HKECIA”, “Association”), first incorporated in May 1990, is celebrating its 35th anniversary. The Association currently has over one hundred company members, including all the leading organisations, making it a truly representative voice for the exhibition and convention industry. Our commitment over the years has been to act as a unified voice that represents and promotes the industry, increasing awareness of its contribution to the economy and wider society. The HKECIA also strives to promote sustainability and safety, as well as support members with professional development, business networking, information exchange, and promoting careers in our industry to emerging talents.

In 2024, Hong Kong hosted 121 large-scale exhibitions (over 2,000 sq. metres). Of these, 80 were “Trade” or “Trade and Consumer” exhibitions, while the remaining 41 were “Consumer” exhibitions. The number of “Trade” or “Trade and Consumer” exhibitions grew from 73 in 2023 to 80 in 2024, representing a 9.6% increase. Based on data collected from respondents of the “Trade” and “Trade and Consumer” exhibitions, the number of exhibiting companies grew by 13.9%, from over 45,000 to nearly 52,000, while the number of visitors increased by 4.5% to over 1.46 million.

However, due to the uncertainty of the global economy, exhibitors were cautious about expenditure when renting exhibition stands, which caused a drop in the amount of space rented by exhibitors. The space rented by exhibitors in 2024 decreased by 6.8% to nearly 830,000 sq. metres. The growth in exhibiting companies and visitors in 2024 reflects the resilience of Hong Kong’s exhibition industry and the effectiveness of proactive and aggressive exhibitor and visitor recruitment in the face of a difficult economic outlook.

Owing to various factors affecting global and regional economic recovery, Hong Kong’s exhibition industry has not fully recovered. When compared with pre-COVID 2019, although the number of “Trade” and “Trade and Consumer” exhibitions in 2024 returned to the same level as in 2019 (80), the number of exhibiting companies was still 25.1% behind, and the number of visitors was down by 21.3% compared to 2019.

It is worth noting that among all categories, the number of visitors from Mainland China to “Trade” and “Trade and Consumer” exhibitions in 2024 showed the best recovery pace, growing by 21% from 2023 and recording an increase of 9.2% from 2019. The superb transportation network in the Greater Bay Area and the attractiveness of Hong Kong exhibitions to Mainland China’s businesses fuelled this growth.

The Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions (“ISRE”), launched by the Government in July 2023 to support the recovery of the convention and exhibition industry, aims to attract exhibition organisers to host their recurrent exhibitions in Hong Kong, thereby alleviating their financial burden. The new ISRE 2.0, featuring some adjustments to the mechanism, will be introduced in the coming days. We strongly urge the government to consider extending this scheme beyond June 2026 and to work with the Association to develop new schemes that would support our industry during these turbulent times.

Trade activities and exhibitions are undoubtedly affected by the tariff war. Under current conditions, the volume of world merchandise trade is likely to fall in 2025. Severe downside risks exist, including the application of reciprocal tariffs and broader spillover of policy uncertainty, which could lead to an even sharper decline in global goods trade.

Under such circumstances, Hong Kong’s exhibition industry needs support from the government during this challenging and volatile time to maintain its hard-earned status as the Trade Fair Capital of Asia.

AFECA Sub-Committee

The Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA) is a leading association to promote the growth and development of the exhibition and convention industry in Asia. The HKECIA is a key association and board member of the AFECA. HKECIA Executive Vice Chairman and AFECA Sub-Committee Chair Ms Wendy Lai is the Treasurer of the AFECA Board.

Over the past year, the AFECA has implemented many programmes and initiatives to support the resumption of the Asian exhibition and convention industry. Over 200 MICE industry leaders attended the AFECA AGM 2024 at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, from 4–6 November 2024, to make a success of the 19th AFECA Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2024. Ms Wendy Lai participated in the AGM, Asia 20 Business Events Forum and the AFECA Asia MICE Youth Challenge 2024.

Thanks to our sponsors who contributed to the HKECIA Education Fund.  Our student teams from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) were nominated to participate in the AFECA Youth MICE Challenge 2024 and present their exhibition projects. Both teams performed impressively. We are very proud that despite fierce competition, the THEi student team was awarded third place.

The AFECA Youth MICE Challenge 2025 will be open for registration in June and the competition will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 6 November 2025. HKECIA will continue to support and sponsor students to join the Challenge. Our HKECIA Education Fund is now open for sponsorship. The future of our MICE talent relies on your support. By supporting the Fund, you will help students realise their potential and motivate and nurture them to pursue their careers in the MICE industry.

China Sub-Committee

The Association commits to a more proactive role in collaborating and forging new ties with organisations in China.   We believe it is crucial to effectively “tell good stories of Hong Kong” in the region.

The China Sub-Committee remains committed to closely monitoring the developments in Mainland China’s events and venue landscape, with a particular focus on the Greater Bay Area. The Sub-Committee attended a conference organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) in Guangzhou and exchanged views with other industry associations.

The Sub-Committee also received delegations from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong (CCPIT Guangdong) to exchange views on industry development and discuss opportunities.

The Sub-Committee would continue to deepen regional cooperation and exchange with our sister associations to provide the latest information and mutual benefits to our members.

We believe that the expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme to more cities in Mainland China, along with the resumption of multiple entry permits for Shenzhen residents, has facilitated increased travel to Hong Kong. This development is beneficial for boosting Hong Kong’s economy and creates new business opportunities for the tourism and MICE sectors.

The Association will explore the immense potential that this important economic zone holds for our industry and our members. Accordingly, we will intensify cooperation with leading associations in the region to advance the industry’s development and provide our members with the best possible opportunities for growth and success.

Communications Sub-Committee

The Communications Sub-Committee continued to produce materials for the Chairman to respond to media enquiries and conduct interviews.

During this year, the Sub-Committee has prepared the following materials:

• Position paper on “Re-evaluation of Recent Changes to the SME Export Marketing Fund”
• Preparation work for the Economic Impact Study project, which aims to gauge the contribution of Hong Kong’s exhibition industry to the economy in 2024 and
• HKECIA Annual Exhibition Survey 2024, which serves as an important barometer of the industry’s performance.

Some of our Executive Committee members have been interviewed by various media and organisations:

• A telephone interview by i-Cable News on the exhibition’s present state was conducted by the Chairman in January 2025;
• Interview by RTHK Radio3 on MICE developments and the Government’s latest tourism blueprint was conducted by the Chairman in January 2025; and
• Written interview by The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce to provide insights on the C&E industry’s outlook in Hong Kong for HKGCC Bulletin February 2025 edition

Education & Training Sub-Committee

To provide members and industry players with the latest industry information and trends, the Annual Conference was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in May 2024. The conference covered a range of hot industry topics, including Hong Kong’s economic and trade outlook, opportunities for the exhibition and tourism industry, artificial intelligence innovations and sustainability. We are delighted to report that over 130 members and guests participated in this physical conference.

The Annual Seminar, held at Blueprint, Quarry Bay in December 2024, covered several important topics, including the new venue Kai Tak Sports Park, the future of exhibitions in the Greater Bay Area, Better Stands initiative and sustainability. This seminar was well-received and attended by over 130 members and industry players from Hong Kong, Mainland China and Macao. Participants found the event insightful, enjoyable, and full of festive cheer.

The Association has joined the CLAP@JC Industry Volunteer Network (iNET) funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, to support secondary students with career and life development. The Sub-committee will actively participate to share views with students and foster understanding towards the MICE industry.

Looking ahead to the new term, the Sub-Committee will continue to strengthen collaborations with the industry and education institutions to provide professional responses to education, publications and papers related to the industries for the betterment of MICE development in the long run. The Sub-Committee will plan in-person seminars and education programmes to highlight new industry trends for recovery and business opportunities and attract more guests from the Greater Bay Area to join our events.

The Sub-Committee hopes that our members will enjoy the conference today. Celebrating the 35^th anniversary of the Association, we have prepared an extensive programme with top-level speakers to discuss the hottest topics in today’s business world, which align with your company’s interests to drive impactful real-world changes. Members can connect with thought leaders, gain insights from our subject-matter experts, and celebrate an early Global Exhibitions Day.

Membership Sub-Committee

The Membership Sub-Committee has been actively working on providing networking opportunities for members through events such as annual conferences and seminars.

As of today, the Association has 58 full members, 34 associate members, and 11 overseas members, totalling 103 members.

New members in 2024-2025 include Cvent Singapore Pte. Ltd, D & P Education Kingdom Limited, and EzyGreenPak Limited. On the other hand, the Association also experienced a few resignations over the year. It is understandable that some companies had to cut their expenses due to the sluggish economy.

The Membership Sub-Committee will work closely with the Secretariat over the coming year to invite new members and reach out to lapsed members for the reinstatement of their membership.

Sustainability & Operations Sub-Committee

The Sustainability and Operations Sub-Committee was established in June 2022 with the objective to identify and measure initiatives that promote waste reduction and material reuse within the industry. Facilitating the development of a sustainability market ecosystem has been a key strategic focus of the Association. We seek to cultivate collaborative relationships to promote sustainable development. We have been working closely with organisations to raise awareness of their environmental and social impact and provide guidance on how the industry can best drive sustainable development.

With the development of the HKECIA Sustainability Charter in 2023, the Association has joined forces with Informa Markets Asia to promote sustainability in the exhibition industry, endorsing a new benchmark “Better Stands” for environmentally responsible practices within the industry. The Better Stands framework aims to unify industry leaders to champion reusable stands and reduce single-use disposable stands, moving towards eco-conscious exhibitions and resilient futures. We believe that this recognition will greatly enhance the program’s visibility and encourage other organisations to integrate sustainable practices into their events.

The Association also aims to enhance sustainability knowledge in Hong Kong to promote environmental practices and performance. We actively take part in knowledge exchange to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable industry. The Association supported The University of Hong Kong’s “Knowledge Primer 7” seminar and launch ceremony of the industry guidebook “A Practical Guidebook to Circular Economy (Volume 2): Collaborating with Value Chain Partners for Organising Circular Events and Exhibitions”.  Members can now view the industry guidebook on the HKECIA website.

Our Executive Committee Members Mr. Chris Brown and Ms. Monica Lee-Müller were invited as panellists to discuss “Activating Collaboration to catalyse Circularity Practices and Innovations in the MICE Industry”. They shared case studies, real-life samples and implementation successes with attendees to drive resource circularity in business events.

The Association also supported The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s studies on “ESG practices of C&E centres that enhance the ESG management performance of C&E centres”, helping to collect views and identifying the needs and practices for the MICE industry.

At the Annual Dinner tonight, we will donate unconsumed food to Food Angel to reduce food waste. The donated food will be handled as nutritious hot meals and redistributed to the underprivileged community in Hong Kong.

The Association also noticed the industry’s labour shortage in stand-building jobs in Hong Kong since post-pandemic. Going forward, we will work together with the Government to provide a better understanding of the issue and highlight the pressing need for importing labour to build and develop mega-events.

The Sub-Committee will continue its concerted effort to develop robust sustainability initiatives, accelerate the industry’s green transition, and ease industry concerns. We believe achieving a sustainable market ecosystem requires united efforts, and we call on our members to take the Better Stands and HKECIA Sustainability Charter into action. Together, we will create a resilient future for the benefit of our industry and future generations.

Venue Development Sub-Committee

The Executive Committee was invited to attend the Opening Ceremony at Kai Tak Stadium on March 1^st. We enjoyed the performances and explored the precinct, which features the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium, known as the “Pearl of the Orient.”

Congratulations to our member, Kai Tak Sports Park, on a successful opening. We look forward to KTSP hosting regional sports events, such as the National Games in November, co-hosted with Guangdong and Macau.

The previous proposal for the development of the Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre (KITEC) has been withdrawn in favour of a new plan that places greater emphasis on hotel and residential uses, rather than Grade A office space, of which there is currently an oversupply in Hong Kong. The new proposals also include an increase in site coverage to provide additional floorspace for exhibition or multi-purpose halls.

To reinforce the trade mart and exhibition function of the site, a total floorspace of 23,273 m² will be made available within the proposed redevelopment, specifically dedicated to meeting public aspirations and demand for exhibition and showroom-related uses and venues.

The Association welcomes this new proposal, which aims to address the demand for exhibition and showroom-related venues and uses.

Advocacy Work by HKECIA

One of the primary responsibilities assumed by the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) is to represent the interests of its members in the convention and exhibition-related sectors. This task involves providing a cohesive and unified voice when engaging with governmental, legislative, and statutory bodies, as well as media and public organisations. Over the past year, this work has demanded an unprecedented amount of our time and effort. The Executive Committee, including myself, has been heavily involved in meetings, briefings, and lobbying initiatives.

Over the past year, we have seen the MICE industry continue its recovery momentum. MICE Tourism has rebounded, thanks to the proactive efforts of the Hong Kong Government.

There are a number of positive developments for the industry.

• The 2025-26 Budget emphasises the significance of publicising Hong Kong as a mega-events capital globally in attracting more tourists to Hong Kong and enhancing their tourism experience. It is estimated that over 140 conventions and 180 exhibitions will be organised at HKCEC and AWE this year. Additionally, the Government has been supporting the staging of major international sports events in Hong Kong, including the hosting of 8 competitions in the upcoming 15th National Games in November. This provides an excellent opportunity to showcase Hong Kong as a mega-events hub and its iconic scenery to both Mainland China and overseas, helping to tell the good stories of Hong Kong.
• The Government continues to implement the Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions to provide incentives for staging recurrent exhibitions in Hong Kong. The government has also allocated an additional provision of $500 million for implementing the ISRE 2.0. This funding will subsidise venue rentals of eligible organisers at specified venues. Apart from HKCEC and AWE, the scheme also covers the Central Harbourfront Event Space and West Kowloon Cultural District. The ISRE 2.0 will be launched on 1 July this year according to the Government’s plan.
• We believe the expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme to more Mainland China cities and the resumption of multiple entry permits for Shenzhen residents would facilitate more visitors to travel to Hong Kong, which is helpful to boost Hong Kong’s economy and create new business opportunities for Hong Kong’s tourism and MICE development.
• With 30 Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs) in Mainland China and across the globe and a strong presence through the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Invest Hong Kong, Hong Kong strives to maintain its unique role as a global “super-connector” and “super value-adder”.

The industry has also experienced challenges in the past few months.

• Unpredictable factors, such as the international geopolitical landscape, have disrupted exhibitions and created challenges in trade and logistics. Fluctuations in tariffs and prices significantly affect the revenues, cash flow, and visitor attendance at international shows. Consequently, exhibiting companies have opted for smaller booths to minimize costs, directly reflecting this uncertainty. The industry must remain vigilant in navigating the complex macroeconomic environment while sustaining confidence in the development of the SAR.
• On 13 March, the Trade and Industry Department (TID) announced the consolidation of the SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF) into the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund) upon expiry of the EMF’s special measures on 30 June 2026. As well as new measures under the existing scheme which apply to applications received from 14 March 2025 onwards. Adjusting the matching ratio from 1 (Government):1 (Enterprise) to 1:3 of the total approved expenditure, a 50% reduction in the support to SME exhibitors.
• As exhibitions and mega-event projects were rolled out, a tight labour market made it difficult for organisers to recruit skilled stand-building contractors. This has remained a critical issue this year.

The Association has actively contacted the TID and sent them the Association’s Positioning Paper requesting a re-evaluation of the recent changes to the EMF. The Association has started work on the Economic Impact Study for the exhibition activities in 2024. We will continue the consultations with the industry and policy submissions, ensuring that the industry’s voice and recommendations will be heard. By collaborating, we can overcome obstacles and continue to foster growth and prosperity.

Furthermore, the Association also organised site visits, delegation tours and networking cocktails, such as the 11 SKIES Tour and networking at Regala Skycity Hotel, the delegation tour to the 29^th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair at The Venetian Macao, and the Christmas Cocktail reception, provided excellent networking opportunities for members to expand their networks and explore business opportunities in other industries in a relaxed environment.

I have also taken part in meetings of the Hotel, Catering, and Tourism Training Board, which were organised by the Vocational Training Council (VTC). We hope that by collaborating with higher education institutions that specialise in the exhibition and convention sectors, we can further promote the industry to young talent seeking career opportunities.

Summary:

As Hong Kong’s largest exhibition and convention community, the Association will continue to provide a platform for members to exchange views on industry developments and market information. The opportunities generated by the exhibition industry benefit not only the industry players but also vital sectors of the economy, such as aviation, hotels, retail, hospitality, tourist attractions, and nightlife. The exhibition industry is a key component of the tourism sector, attracting high-net-worth visitors who are inclined to spend more in Hong Kong. Furthermore, we are the lifeblood of numerous industries, including jewellery, art, wine, gifts and premiums, and licensing, which significantly underpin the local economy beyond mere tourism figures.

Throughout the year, we have extended our presence in the Greater Bay Area.  The Association recently participated in the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference, collaborating with ExCo Members and HKTB to showcase our advantages. AsiaWorld-Expo will host the UFI Global Congress 2025 in November, which is the world’s largest gathering for the exhibition industry. The event will help to draw global visitors and boost spending, deepening the collaboration in the region.

Lastly, I would like to thank the Executive Committee members who have provided unwavering support and contributions to the Association. The HKECIA is proud of the solidarity shown by its members and grateful for their staunch support, participation in activities, and attendance at the Annual Dinner. I would also like to thank the HKECIA secretariat for working diligently to keep the Association’s services running smoothly.

I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous year ahead and thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely,

Stuart Bailey
Chairman (2024-25)