Managing Director of the HKCEC Mr Cliff Wallace was elected First Vice Chairman of UFI's Asia Pacific Chapter at the 71st UFI Congress held in Bangkok, Thailand at the end of November 2004. He began his two-year term immediately.

"This is a real honour for me and for the HKCEC" said Wallace on his election. "Serving UFI's Asia Pacific Chapter gives me the opportunity to further enhance the HKCEC's image while representing Asia's venue industry within this prestigious association. Asia Pacific is currently the region with the greatest potential in the exhibition industry. Exhibitions and venues are developing at an extraordinary pace. Venues and organizers must work closely together to face the challenges confronting the industry."

Fred Lam is Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the statutory organization with oversight over the HKCEC. He commented, "Mr Wallace's election reflects Hong Kong's leading role in building trade fairs and setting exhibition standards in Asia."

"As the international organization that validates standards, UFI is very important to Hong Kong, which is entering a new phase of exhibition venue expansion," said Lam. "With his many years of venue management experience in Hong Kong and his strong commitment, I'm sure Cliff will make a significant contribution to UFI's Asia Pacific Chapter."