A Source of Success (23-25 March 2004)

Yet another important event comes to the HKCEC for the first time in 2004, bringing with it high expectations of success. Source It - an ASEAN event in Hong Kong is, as its name implies, an official ASEAN event and one at which around seventy per cent of exhibitors are expected to come from the ASEAN countries of South-East Asia. The fair, organised jointly by Messe Frankfurt and the ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX) and taking place at the HKCEC from 23-25 March 2004, will be showcasing fabrics, accessories and textile machinery to trade buyers and textile industry professionals from around the globe. So why, for the first time, is an official ASEAN event taking place in Hong Kong, a non-ASEAN location? "Because Hong Kong is the natural choice for a fair like this," says Ms Katy Lam, Director of Trade Fairs of Messe Frankfurt in Hong Kong. "It''s a gateway not only to China but, for ASEAN manufacturers, to the entire world. And in-depth knowledge of the international textile and garment business here is second to none." The new fair will further benefit from being scheduled alongside the region''s popular and respected Interstoff Asia fair, ensuring that significant numbers of buyers will be in town to see what ASEAN has to offer.

For more information, please visit www.sourceit-hk.com

Electronics Fair Offspring (14-17 April 2004)

The long-running and highly successful October edition of the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, now over twenty years old, is about to be joined by a brand-new Spring event at the HKCEC. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC), which runs the original fair, has been feeling the pressures of space for some time now, as demand for places at Asia's premier electronics trade event has increased year on year. "The Spring Fair will give industry players a better chance to get involved in this premier event," said a TDC spokesperson. "In addition, with the life cycles of electronics products getting shorter as technology continues to change so rapidly, the new show will allow buyers to obtain the latest models fast while keeping good control over inventory levels." That assessment is certainly born out by the advance interest generated by the new fair, with over 1,500 exhibitors having already registered for the event. To distinguish the Spring Fair from its October cousin, the 14-17 April event will have a special focus on high technology, and introduce new product categories such as Digital Imaging, Healthcare Electronics and Electronic Manufacturing Services. Special features will include the International ICT Expo, where communications and technologies companies will showcase their latest solutions and services, and the Hong Kong Electronics Parts Procurement Square, which will allow suppliers to meet directly with major Japanese branded goods companies. Although the new fair will be differentiated from the October version, one thing will remain constant: a reputation for being Asia's leading trade event for the electronics industry.

For more information, please visit www.hkelectronicsfairse.com

Strong, Safe and Secure (1-2 June 2004)

In recent years, security at entry and exit hubs has been under the spotlight like never before. Nowadays, systems and personnel at air terminals and sea ports are seen as a first line of defence against a whole range of security threats, and companies involved in air and port security are facing challenges of unprecedented proportions. The Air&Port Security Expo Asia, a two-day event being held at the HKCEC on the first two days of June 2004, is a unique forum allowing security operations to explore the latest security strategies and technologies, with a special focus on the needs of the Asia region. Supplemented by two seminar programmes for security professionals, the Expo will bring together buyers representing airports, airlines, ports, ferry and rail operators, as well as government agencies, police and law enforcement agencies. Organiser Simply Events says the Air&Port Security Expo Asia has been set up in response to enormous industry demand for a major regional event of this kind, shown by the fact that a quarter of available floor space at the HKCEC was booked within three weeks of the event's announcement. Products and solutions on offer will range across the latest CCTV and surveillance technologies, smart card systems, biometrics, tagging and tracking, and many other new and improved security modes.

For details about the exhibition and seminar programme, please visit www.airportsecurityexhibition.com/asia