WENDY LAI has been elected chair of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Industry Association (HKECIA), becoming the first woman to lead the association in its 36-year history after succeeding long-serving chair Stuart Bailey.
Lai’s election was confirmed at HKECIA’s annual general meeting on May 29, where she succeeded Bailey, who steps down after a decade at the helm. Bailey was named Honorary Life President in recognition of his contribution to the association and the wider industry at the event in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“I am deeply honoured to have been elected as Chairman of the HKECIA, and I am committed to working closely with our members, the wider industry, and the Government,” Lai said.
“By forging a genuine and collaborative partnership, we can harness our collective strengths to enhance our industry’s global competitiveness and build the resilience required to thrive in an increasingly complex environment.”
Lai brings more than two decades of exhibition industry experience to the role. As vice president of Global Sources Exhibitions, she heads the organiser’s international sourcing shows in Hong Kong, which have been staged since 2006 and have attracted millions of international buyers and exhibitors to the city.
Her business events career spans portfolio management, business development and strategic planning across multiple markets, with Global Sources’ trade show footprint extending across Greater China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South Africa and the US.
Lai joined Global Sources in 2004 after starting her career at The Adsale Group, according to LinkedIn, and has since built a reputation as a trade show specialist with extensive experience in event management, marketing and international expansion.
Backgrounder… Bailey stepping down as HKECIA chair
She is also no stranger to industry leadership. Lai has served on the HKECIA executive committee for several years, most recently as executive vice chair, and is active regionally as a board member and secretary general of the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations. Her elevation to HKECIA chair is within the association as a natural progression, but one that also reflects its evolving leadership profile.
Lai takes over from Bailey, founder and CEO of Bailey Communications, who has led HKECIA since 2016.
His tenure coincided with one of the most turbulent decades for Hong Kong’s exhibition industry. Over that period, Bailey and the association navigated a succession of crises, including social unrest, geopolitical tensions, US-China trade tariffs and the Covid-19 pandemic.
I am delighted to hand over the important role of Association Chair to Ms Wendy Lai, Vice President, Global Sources Exhibitions. I have known Wendy for many years, and I know she will bring drive, determination and new ideas to the role. We could not be in safer hands.
I am also delighted that, for the first time, our Association will be chaired by a woman. I wish Wendy every success and look forward to supporting her.”
– Stuart Bailey, Honorary Life President, HKECIA
During the pandemic, HKECIA played a central advocacy role, working with government to highlight the economic impact of prolonged venue closures and securing substantial financial support for the industry’s recovery.
Bailey has also emphasised the importance of the association as a “unified voice” for the sector, acting as a bridge between organisers, venues and policymakers during periods of uncertainty.
Among Bailey’s longer-term legacies is a stronger focus on sustainability and operational standards across the exhibition sector.
Under his leadership, HKECIA endorsed and promoted the Better Stands programme, an industry-wide initiative aimed at reducing waste by encouraging the adoption of reusable exhibition stands.
The programme provides a framework for classifying stands based on levels of reuse and recyclability, with the aim of delivering safer, more efficient and environmentally responsible exhibition environments.
Its adoption in Hong Kong reflects a broader shift within the global exhibitions industry towards measurable sustainability standards, an agenda that Lai is expected to continue.
Backgrounder… HK exhibitions bouncing back
Lai’s appointment comes at a time when the industry is rebuilding momentum following the pandemic disruption while navigating ongoing geopolitical headwinds and shifting trade patterns.
“Reflecting on our recent achievements, Hong Kong’s exhibition industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. We have seen a strong resurgence of large-scale exhibitions, with event numbers not only recovering but, in many cases, surpassing pre-pandemic level,” Lai said.
“This is a clear testament to Hong Kong’s enduring appeal as a premier international business and trading platform.”
The Government’s timely and impactful incentive initiatives have played a critical role in this recovery, enabling organisers to launch innovative themed exhibitions while scaling up established flagship events. These collective efforts have further strengthened Hong Kong’s unique position as the MICE hub of the Greater Bay Area and reaffirmed our long-standing status as the Trade Fair Capital of Asia.”
– Wendy Lai, Chair HKECIA
“Looking ahead, the Association stands ready to work hand in hand with the Government to develop forward-looking, sustainable support measures that will help the industry navigate volatility and seize emerging opportunities,” Lai added.
“With the passion, innovation and agility of our industry partners, I am confident that we will not only overcome the challenges before us, but also unlock new avenues for growth and elevate Hong Kong’s standing as a world-leading exhibition and trade hub.”
As the first woman to lead HKECIA, her election is regarded as a generational and leadership shift within the exhibition industry in Hong Kong and the wider Greater Bay Area – one that combines continuity in advocacy with a renewed focus on global connectivity and sustainable growth.
