Christie's Spring Auctions 2005 29 May - 1 Jun 2005 Under the Hammer at the HKCEC

Leading international auction house Christie's decided that in 2005 they would hold their Hong Kong Spring Auctions for the first time at the HKCEC, and it was a move that proved to be both bold and inspired. Riding on the Centre's stunning location and superb facilities, Christie's Asian Art, Watches and Jewellery Spring Auctions 2005 broke sales records in category after category. Held between 29 May and 1 June, the series of auctions realised total sales of over US$127 million, a record high figure for any series of auctions anywhere in Asia. CEO of Christie's International Mr Edward Dolman expressed delight at the outcome. "I am very proud of our achievements in Hong Kong this week," he said after the event. "The facilities at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre allowed us to show the works of art to their full potential, resulting in the extraordinary prices that we have witnessed in all auctions in all categories."

The success of the Spring Auctions spurred Christie's to schedule their Hong Kong Autumn Auctions 2005 in the HKCEC's Grand Hall. Once again featuring the best in Asian art, watches and jewellery, the Autumn Auctions will run from 27 to 30 November (viewing from 25 to 29 November). Bidders can expect to find rare and outstanding examples of Chinese paintings and ceramics, contemporary Asian art, jewellery, jadeite, and timepieces.

A magnificent and extremely rare pair of famille rose 'quails' dishes Yongzheng six-character marks within double-rectangles and of the period; Provenance: Babara Hutton Collection 13.7 cm. diam. Estimate on request To be offered in the Important Chinese Ceramics sale on November 28	Lotus after Rain Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper 71 x 136 cm Estimate: HK$2,000,000-HK$3,000,000 To be offered in the Fine Modern and Contemporary Chinese Paintings sale on November 27-28

LCI - 88th Lions Clubs International Convention 2005 27 June - 1 July 2005 Roaming Lions in Hong Kong

Besides being one of the world's leading exhibition centres, the HKCEC also has a reputation for hosting successful conferences and meetings. These kinds of events work best in a relaxing environment that fosters interaction, discussion, and the sharing of ideas. That was the brief when the 88^th Lions Clubs International Convention 2005 (LCI) descended on Hong Kong and the HKCEC from 27 June to 1 July. The event was the single biggest convention ever to have been held in Hong Kong, involving over 20,000 Lions, their families and friends, so the task of creating a friendly and personal ambience was especially challenging. But it was a challenge that the Centre and its staff rose to with enthusiasm, helping co-ordinate a packed programme that included workshops, seminars, elections, award presentations, celebration parties and banquets, not to mention a host of sightseeing excursions. One of the highlights was the LCI 'Parade of Nations', a harbourside event featuring 9,000 colourfully dressed Lions from around the world, 25 marching bands, and many beautifully decorated floats, setting off from directly outside the HKCEC. The overall result, according to Chairman of the LCI Convention Committee Mr Joe Wrobrewski, was a truly splendid international event: "The HKCEC has proven to be one of the finest and most efficiently managed and operated convention and exhibition venues in which the LCI has been held, anywhere in the world!"

September Hong Kong Jewellery & Watch Fair 2005 21 - 25 September 2005 A Glittering Spectacle

Superlatives begin to run dry in any attempt to describe the September Hong Kong Jewellery and Watch Fair, which this year ran from 21 to 25 September at the HKCEC. Not only is it one of the world's top three jewellery events, it's also the biggest jewellery fair in Asia, the world's biggest pearl fair, and the world's second-largest diamond and gemstone fair! Organised by CMP Asia, this year's September fair turned out to be the largest in the event's 23-year history, with nearly 2,000 exhibitors from 45 countries and regions setting up booths at the Centre, inturn attracting over 40,000 buyers from around the world. The exhibitor profile proved what was always an open secret: the Fair boasts the strongest presence of Asian companies of any jewellery fair in the world. The entire show occupied a phenomenal 60,000 square metres of exhibition space at the Centre, which included all of the HKCEC's six Halls together with its concourses, mezzanines and meeting rooms. That meant that the Centre was strung with a seemingly endless succession of glittering booths displaying fine finished jewellery, polished diamonds and gemstones, pearl varieties, jewellery timepieces, packaging, displays, not forgetting the latest in jewellery-making equipment, tools and machinery. The next edition of September Hong Kong Jewellery & Watch Fair will be held from 19 to 23 September 2006.

The inaugural edition of Aircraft Interiors Expo-Asia at the HKCEC in September took off in style. Organised by UKIP Media & Events in response to the huge popularity of air travel in the Asia Pacific region, the new event pulled in 130 global exhibitors and attracted around 1,700 visitors from 57 airlines. They browsed through a phenomenal array of innovative products designed to make air travel safer and more comfortable, including new long-haul economy seats, advanced galley modules, and new LCD video monitors.

Visitors commented repeatedly on the accessibility and hands-on nature of the event. Said one Cathay Pacific visitor, "It's great to be able to see and touch all the new products, and saves us having to travel around the world to individual suppliers." That sentiment was echoed by a China Airlines visitor, who enthused about how the Expo was "an opportunity for us to have direct dialogue with suppliers. Here we could see the products and try them out in real time. And having the show in Asia meant we could afford to send more people." The success of the event means it will definitely fly back to the HKCEC next year, between 27 and 29 September. "About 75% of exhibitors had rebooked their space for next year by the end of the show, along with some newcomers," said organiser Tony Robinson. "All in all, an excellent start for the Asian event."