Hong Kong Tourism Board hosted an event this week to give special recognition to association and industry leaders for the efforts they make to bring conferences to the city.
The Hong Kong Convention Ambassador (HKCA) Appreciation Night at Rosewood Hong Kong was held to honour leaders from across 12 sectors for their success in bringing about 70 conventions to Hong Kong – events which have attracted about 70,000 high-spending visitors.
Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) said the ambassadors’ achievements solidified the city’s status as a premier global hub that consistently draws world-class events and conferences.
“The programme has proven its value in just three remarkable years,” Dr Pang Yiu-Kai, chairman of HKTB said.
“We are truly grateful to have over 140 top leaders from the local business community and mainland China as advocates for Hong Kong’s conventions sector. The HKCAs have collectively achieved resounding success by bringing in conventions of their respective sectors, ranging from medical sciences to innovation and technology, financial services, aviation and transportation, professional services and more.
“These world-class conventions are a strong testament to Hong Kong as a premier MICE destination and underline the city’s position as a leading international business hub.”
The Appreciation Night featured a panel discussion moderated by MIX editorial director Martin Donovan with Dr Pang and three industry leaders who brought in significant world congresses to Hong Kong: Angela Yau Shing-Yam, director of Hong Kong Harp Society; Dr Janice Tsang, oncology specialist and clinical assistant professor of the University of Hong Kong’s Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine and Vivian Cheung, chief operating officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong.
Aviation and Transportation Events Taking Off
Vivian Cheung recounted Hong Kong International Airport’s recent success in securing multiple conventions and exhibitions to the city, including, IATA World Cargo Symposium 2024, Super Terminal Expo 2024, Routes World 2025 and more.
“Hong Kong’s role as an international aviation hub and our track record as the world No.1 air cargo hub, coupled with the latest development of the Airport City, make it an ideal city for global aviation pioneers to push forward high-level exchanges in our city,” she said.
Medical Sciences Carving out Lion’s Share
A lion’s share of HKCAs are leaders of the medical sciences industry. The regional and global medical congresses brought in by these HKCAs comprise more than half of recent event wins.
Dr Janice Tsang said: “Thanks to the collective efforts of the medical community, Hong Kong has a high professional standing in medicine and a passionate community that makes Hong Kong the place to meet. More importantly, the professional bidding support from the HKTB – from venue solicitation to bid proposal preparation, site inspection support and more – has been crucial for bid success.”
Financial Services Underwriting Growth Potential
As an international financial centre, the city has also recently secured several insurance conventions, including the East Asian Insurance Congress 2024 (scheduled for September 24-27) and GAMA LAMP Asia 2024 (Oct 7-9), expected to bring almost 3,000 overseas delegates.
Selina Lau, chief executive of the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers, said: “Hong Kong is exceptionally well-positioned to host world-class insurance conventions.
“Situated at the heart of Asia, a rapidly growing region with immense market potential, Hong Kong serves as a gateway to the Mainland, particularly the thriving Greater Bay Area. From an insurance industry standpoint, 12 of the 20 largest insurance companies globally maintain an operational presence in Hong Kong. The city’s robust fundamentals, favourable policies, and robust systems provide a conducive environment for the insurance market to flourish.”
More… Convention Ambassadors woo events to Hong Kong
The Appreciation Night also celebrated achievements across many other sectors, from innovation and technology to arts and culture, sports, education, social services, and tourism and hospitality.
Hong Kong has been selected as the destination of choice for high-profile technology and Web3 events such as SmartCon 2024 and Consensus Hong Kong 2025.
Tourism officials have vowed that with the growing HKCA alliance, backed by strong government support and HKTB’s redoubled strategic bidding efforts, Hong Kong would “further reinforce its compelling value proposition for hosting successful world-class conventions of any industry, leveraging the city’s world-class business settings and unique position as a super-connector”.
