PROMINENT figures in the local MICE industry are featured in video messages backing to the “Hello Hong Kong” campaign after the regional government lifted border controls involving quarantine, vaccination and pre-departure PCR testing for international visitors and those from mainland China and Taiwan.
Bosses of the city’s two main venues teamed up with exhibition organiser leaders and Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to back the campaign to put the MICE industry back on the global stage.
HKTB officials say more than a hundred international MICE events have been scheduled this year with some being held in Hong Kong and the region for the first time.
“Hong Kong will also welcome events relocating back to the city after the pandemic,” HKTB said in a statement. “Their return points to Hong Kong’s peerless fundamentals and infrastructural advantages, as well as promising growth potential and business opportunities for trade shows and events.”
HELLO AGAIN…
Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, remarked that Hong Kong’s world-class venues have always been advancing, and that business events and visitors are welcomed back to HKCEC, now upgraded in a billion-dollar refurbishment.
Irene Chan, Chief Executive Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo, highlighted that venue’s strategic location in the city and heartfelt professional service, applauding Hong Kong’s excellent transportation network connecting the world and the Mainland that is full of unrivalled advantages.
Stuart Bailey, Chairman of Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association, said hello on behalf of the entire convention and exhibition industry in Hong Kong, representing event management companies and organisers, travel agents, association, suppliers, contractors and more.The video also features Margaret Fong, Executive Director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council; Michael Duck, Executive Vice President, Commercial Development of Informa Markets and Wendy Lai, Vice President, Global Sources Exhibitions.
HKTB has also organised bonuses for convention and exhibition visitors in the form of exclusive “Hong Kong Goodies”. Items include a commemorative Hello Hong Kong Octopus smart e-payment card, welcome drinks, a ticket to M+ – Asia’s first museum of contemporary visual culture – and one-time use of an airport lounge.
Kenneth Wong, HKTB’s general manager of MICE & Cruise, said: “We are excited to welcome back more business events with the warmest hospitality offers and brand-new infrastructure and experiences. Together with MICE industry leaders, we are confident that we will achieve greater success with event organisers and make Hong Kong the world’s meeting place for business events.”
