Business Keeps Growing

One of the areas in which the HKCEC has been growing in recent years has been in its hosting of events connected with the art and antiques sector. After tireless and creative efforts to develop this line of business, that growth looks set to continue. Most recently, the Hong Kong International Arts & Antiques Fair (HKIAAF), organised by Art & Antique International Fair Ltd, has confirmed that it will be moving to the Centre from 3 to 7 October 2008. A new and prestigious event for the HKCEC's portfolio, the Fair is renowned as a must-attend event for dealers and collectors in the booming Asian art and antiques market.

The HKCEC is also proud to have signed a new trade exhibition for 17-20 November 2008: Reed MIDEM's AMAZIA. This is being touted as the first pan-Asian, business-to-business exhibition devoted to the creation and distribution of international entertainment content. A Reed MIDEM's spokesperson says that the exhibition will feature a combination of content for television, film, music and games. "We will be catering for all delivery platforms, too," she says, "including terrestrial, digital, cable and satellite broadcasting, mobile and wireless, broadband internet, and many more." The show is being seen as a much-needed 'one-stop shop' in an Asian environment in which there has been a huge increase in the number of distribution platforms in recent years.

Ring Around the World

As a founding member of the Global Congress Centre Alliance (GCCA), the HKCEC sits shoulder to shoulder with a select group of prestigious global congress venues belonging to the Alliance, namely Adelaide Convention Centre, the International Convention Centre Durban, and the Congress Centre Hamburg. Recently, the Centro Banamex Mexico has been welcomed to this list, creating an exclusive ring of five venues spanning the globe. These five "world centres of excellence" in the international congress industry, each at the heart of a different continent, share a single vision and assist each other in marketing and promotion. As prestigious international conventions often move around the world from year to year, our membership of this global alliance provides an excellent network for attracting new convention business. For more information about GCCA, please visit www.global-cc-alliance.com.

Dinner Gongs!

HKCEC chefs were competing at the recent Hong Kong International Culinary Classic 2007 (HKICC), held in conjunction with HOFEX 2007 from 13 to 16 May at the HKCEC. Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Chefs Association and Hong Kong Exhibition Services Ltd, the HKICC is a challenging stage on which local and regional chefs can demonstrate their skills under pressure. This year the HKICC attracted nearly 700 entries, and we're pleased to report that our chefs did the Centre proud! In the Western Cuisine section they picked up three gold medals, four silvers and four bronzes, while capturing two silver medals in the highly-competitive Chinese Cuisine section.

What's more, in June the HKCEC Western Kitchen Team won the Western Cuisine Practical Hot Cooking - Gourmet Team Challenge of the California Strawberry Recipe Contest, organised and supported by the California Strawberry Commission, the Agricultural Trade Office of the US Consulate General (HK), and the Hong Kong Chefs Association.

At the Helm, in the Kitchen

The HKCEC's strong reputation for Western cooking has been boosted by the arrival of Angus Cheng as Executive Chef - Western Kitchen. After honing his skills with Michelin three-star French Chefs Georges Blanc and the Troisgros brothers, Chef Angus has accumulated over 20 years' experience with renowned hotel and restaurant groups in the region, and has won many international awards. Currently Vice President of the Hong Kong Chefs Association, he also serves on judging panels for the Griottine Grand Prix and the Californian Raisin and Strawberry Competition.

"On top of the benefits we gain from his hospitality industry experience, Angus brings fresh ideas that are taking our food and beverage service in new directions," said Mr Maurice Kong, the HKCEC's F&B Director.

New and Enhanced Communications

Taking up the crucial position of Communications Manager at the Centre in late July, Mr Elven Ho joins the HKCEC with over twenty years' experience in the field and credentials that include stints with several multi-national companies. Formerly Managing Editor of the Chinese edition of Rolling Stone magazine, he has also worked as a Public Relations Manager for the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Director of Press & Marketing for MTV Asia. In addition, he is a skilled communicator, having written and published widely in newspapers such as the South China Morning Post and the Hong Kong Standard. "Mr Ho's skills span practical communication, administration and public relations," says Mr Cliff Wallace, the HKCEC's Managing Director. "We see his arrival as a real boost to maintaining our excellent relationships with clients, the media and the general public."

Essential facts and figures

Every year, the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention industry Association (HKECIA) conducts a survey on Hong Kong's exhibition industry. The results of its annual survey for 2006, based on 92 shows occupying over 1,819 square metres of gross floor space, showed that from 2005 to 2006 the number of exhibitions in Hong Kong jumped by just under 40%, while the area they occupied rose by over 50%. Similar dramatic rises occurred across the board. For instance, the number of exhibiting companies coming to Hong Kong for exhibitions rose by 49%, while visitor numbers rose by around 10%. Particularly impressive was a 43% jump in regional visitors and a 25% rise in Mainland China attendees. Consequently, demand from companies wanting to exhibit in Hong Kong soared, leading to a 62% rise in rental revenues from 2005 to 2006.

The HKECIA commissioned KPMG Transaction Advisory Services Limited to compile an Economic Impact Study based on the 2006 survey, measuring the exhibition industry's contribution to Hong Kong's economy. Its findings can be viewed on the HKECIA website: www.exhibitions.org.hk.