History
The Association started out as the Hong Kong Exhibition Organisers Association which was founded in May 1990 by 10 major exhibition organisers to provide industry members with a unified voice in negotiations with the government and government-related organisations and for the general betterment of business interests of members.
The Executive Committee & Sub-committees
From May 1990, once every two years, a new 15-member Executive Committee is elected by Full Members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Starting from 2008, the Executive Committee is expanded to 19 Members. The Chairman, the Executive Vice Chairman, the Vice-Chairmen, the Secretary General and the Honorary Treasurer are elected by the Executive Committee at the first Executive Committee Meeting held immediately after the AGM. The Committee meets regularly (every two months) to make major decisions for the Association.
Various Sub-committees are formed to focus on specific projects and activities such as China, Communications, Education & Training, Exhibition Operations and Membership Committees; and also the organization of Overseas Missions and Annual Dinner.
Past & Present Chairman
The past and present Chairmen of the Association are industry visionaries who have overseen HKECIA’s development and have led the Association through its various stages of development to the strong industry voice it is now.
Mr. Stuart Bailey
(Feb 2016 – Present)
Bailey Communications Hong Kong Ltd
Mr. Javed Khan
(2014 – Jan 2016)
Mega Expo (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Mr. Daniel Cheung
(2010 – 2014)
General Manager of Hong Kong Exhibition Services Ltd.
Mr. Stanley Chu
(2002 – 2010)
Chairman of Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd.
Honorary Life President in honour of his chairmanship for the 4 consecutive terms
Mr. Louis Cheng
(2000 – 2002)
Managing Director of Pico
International (HK) Ltd
Mr. Michael Duck
(1998 – 2000)
Senior Vice President of CMP Asia Ltd.
Mr. Arthur Spurdle
(1996 – 1998)
Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt Hong Kong Ltd.
Mr. Derek Dickins
(1990 – 1996)
Managing Director of Hong Kong
Trade Fair Ltd
(now Informa Markets), was the Founding Chairman and Honorary Life President in honour of his chairmanship for the first three consecutive terms.
Steady Growth and Transformation
As the association progressed and developed, it’s Memorandum and Articles of Association were amended in July 1992, allowing for the expansion of its scope of membership to include convention organisers and industry suppliers. Renamed and with a new role in the rapidly expanding exhibition & convention industries, the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Organisers & Suppliers Association Limited (HKECOSA) came to life in 1992.
Bringing together all companies representing the industry, HKECOSA built a much stronger position to exert its influence in the right quarters, always keeping member’s business interests at the forefront of the Association’s activities. In 2003, the Association was renamed as Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) to reflect the member base of the Association.