On the Move in a Truly Global Industry

Ms Monica Lee-Müller of the HKCEC welcomes guests at the launch of "Meeting Your Choice"

With key exhibition industry events nowadays taking place in all four corners of the globe, HKCEC senior executives have to keep on the move when it comes to promoting the Centre to exhibition and conference organisers. It's a fast-changing industry, and our travelling ambassadors are constantly rolling out the latest exciting developments here in Hong Kong and at the HKCEC.

In February, the HKCEC hosted a welcome lunch for 47 overseas conference organisers and over 100 of their local counterparts to launch 'Meeting Your Choice', a promotional activity designed to showcase Hong Kong to conference organisers that was organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. And in the past few months HKCEC representatives have attended the 73^rd UFI Congress 2006, the China Expo Forum for International Co-operation, InterExpo, the International CEO Forum, AIME (Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo), and the UFI Open Seminar in Asia, to name just a few. All that travel is hard work, but the HKCEC is benefiting directly. By targeting potential clients at global events, the HKCEC has been constantly expanding its network of key industry executives, and adding new international brands to its already prestigious event portfolio.

Upcoming industry events to be attended by HKCEC senior executives:

The HKCEC has been hailed as the Best Convention and Exhibition Centre in the Asia Pacific for the fifth time

Five Times Top

For an incredible fifth time in a row, the HKCEC has been hailed as the Best Convention and Exhibition Centre in the Asia Pacific. The award, reported in the recently-released CEI Asia Pacific 2007 Reader's Choice Awards' survey, confirms the ongoing dominance of the HKCEC in an industry in which new and refurbished exhibition centres are appearing in numbers right across the Asia Pacific. Says Cliff Wallace, Managing Director of the HKCEC, "We specially value this award because it reflects the opinions of the magazine's readers. They are respected industry executives who have used and worked with exhibitions and similar events in venues throughout Asia, so their opinions really do count."

HKCEC Chief Heads Global Association

The HKCEC's Managing Director Mr Cliff Wallace was recently elected Incoming President and Executive Vice President of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and he will take up the post in October this year. UFI currently represents 326 member organisations from 168 cities in 73 countries, who organise over 4,500 exhibitions throughout six continents.

Mr Wallace becomes the first venue manager to be elected by the UFI Board of Directors as an Incoming President, in an organisation in which the presidency has traditionally been filled by the CEO of an exhibition organising company. "It's a genuine honour that the UFI Board of Directors has entrusted me with this pivotal role. I'm very pleased to be the first President based in the Asian region, too," remarked Mr Wallace, "and I'm looking forward to presenting the interests of Asia to the global association."

Monica Lee-Müller Takes Up Post of HKCEC Deputy Managing Director

The departure of longstanding HKCEC Deputy Managing Director Miss Joanne Davis in February was a significant loss to the Centre. Fortunately, however, the HKCEC has been able to appoint an experienced and long-serving replacement from within its ranks, with former Director of Business Development Monica Lee-Müller succeeding Miss Davis. Ms Lee-Müller first joined the HKCEC in 1994, and since then has worked through a series of management positions as she has consolidated her status in the industry. She has now been an integral part of the hospitality industry for two decades in total, handling some of the biggest and most demanding exhibition and convention events to have been held in Hong Kong. Joining Mr David Ieong, the HKCEC's other Deputy Managing Director, Ms Lee-Müller oversees business planning and co-ordination together with finance and human resources. Announcing the appointment, the HKCEC's Managing Director Mr Cliff Wallace said "Monica is a business winner for Hong Kong, and one of the city's foremost ambassadors in the global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. She is regarded highly by HKCEC staff and all within the industry who have dealt with her, and is a real asset to Hong Kong's multi billion dollar exhibition industry".

New "Safety and Emergency Preparedness Manager"

The HKCEC prides itself on the levels of safety and security it provides to all customers, visitors, guests and staff at the Centre. As part of its efforts, former HKCEC Security and Venue Operations Manager Mr Eden Lui has been re-titled 'Safety and Emergency Preparedness Manager' with effect from 1 March 2007. Mr Lui's brief now includes incorporating security trends and relevant legislation and regulations into the Centre's internal Emergency Preparedness Manual, and recommending on-going training for staff. He will also oversee the handling of any incidents that may arise within and around the HKCEC, and raise levels of safety awareness amongst staff. With his new role up and running, visitors to the Centre can feel safer than ever.