LESLIE LI is the new general manager at Shenyang EXPO in northeast China.
Li’s previous position was as vice-president with China National Convention Centre (CNCC) in Beijing where he specialised in marketing, branding and new business development, and managing staff involved in those areas.
During his five years with CNCC Li also served as general manager of two other venues in China under management agreements with CNCC.
“It is a great honour to take the lead following the extraordinary successes that have resulted since EXPO’s opening in 2017, despite the many challenges caused during the Covid era,” he said.
“I look forward to enhancing the effort and leading a very special staff that is professionally trained and in place. My key goals are to energise the staff daily and to increase the venue’s economic impact to Shenyang while assuring EXPO leads in the venue professionalism of China’s exhibition and meeting industry.”
Li takes over the GM role from Diane Chen who was an executive with the venue’s management since 2012, prior to its opening five years later. Chen has been promoted one of the two deputy managing director posts at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre due to increasing business activity at HKCEC.
Both EXPO and HKCEC are managed by subsidiary companies of NWS Holdings in Hong Kong.
Cliff Wallace, previously chairman of EXPO’s management company and currently EXPO’s senior executive advisor said: “LI comes to EXPO with exceptional educational, business and venue experience and credentials.
“His people skills and overall leadership experience will ensure a seamless transition into his executive position following the dynamic leadership provided by Diane Chen who we congratulate on her extraordinary promotion to HKCEC.”
Located in Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province, EXPO has 24,000 sqm of gross exhibition space with 4,000 sqm of multi-functional convention, meeting and banquet space, including a 1,700 sqm column-free convention hall and 17 multi-functional meeting rooms.
