EXHIBITIONS and trade show businesses in Hong Kong are experiencing “achievements and challenges” as the industry arises from the pandemic slowdown only to face uncertainty from tariffs and geopolitical tensions.
Speaking at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) 35th anniversary dinner, association chairman Stuart Bailey outlined the progress made and hurdles that remain for the sector.
“The past year has seen both achievements and challenges for our industry. In 2024, Hong Kong hosted 121 large-scale exhibitions, including 80 trade or trade-consumer events – a 9.6 per cent increase from 2023,” Bailey said in a pre-dinner speech to association members and guests.
“Exhibitor numbers rose by 13.9 per cent, reaching nearly 52,000, while visitor numbers grew by 4.5% to over 1.46 million. These numbers are a testament to the resilience of our industry and the effectiveness of proactive exhibitor and visitor recruitment strategies,” he said.
“Despite the progress made, challenges remain. Exhibitor space rentals declined by 6.8 per cent as companies scaled back spending due to global economic uncertainty.
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“While the total number of exhibitions has nearly recovered to pre-Covid levels, exhibitor and visitor participation lags behind 2019 figures by 25.1 per cent and 21.3 per cent, respectively. Nonetheless, there are encouraging signs. Visitor numbers from mainland China rose by 21 per cent year-on-year, even surpassing 2019 levels. This growth was fuelled by the excellent transport infrastructure within the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong’s enduring attractiveness to mainland businesses.”
Bailey said industry’s recovery in Hong Kong has been buoyed by government support, particularly the Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions (ISRE), which has helped ease financial pressure on event organisers. A new phase of the scheme, ISRE 2.0, is set to launch in July and will expand funding to include venues such as the Central Harbourfront Event Space and West Kowloon Cultural District.
“These measures reflect the government’s commitment to our industry,” Bailey said. “But we strongly urge an extension of the scheme beyond 2026 and further collaboration to develop new initiatives that address the unique challenges we face.”
YOUTH TALENT SHINES
Hong Kong student teams from CUHK and THEi impressed at the AFECA Asia MICE Youth Challenge 2024 in Kuala Lumpur. The THEi team clinched third place, showcasing the city’s emerging talent in the MICE sector. “The future of our MICE talent relies on your support,” the HKECIA chairman’s report urged, calling for continued sponsorship of its Education Fund.
Among those challenges is a labour shortage in stand-building roles. Bailey also cited geopolitical tensions, fluctuating tariffs, and recent changes to SME funding schemes as sources of uncertainty for exhibitors and organisers. The association has responded by engaging with policymakers and submitting position papers to advocate for industry-friendly solutions.
Despite these headwinds, the outlook for 2025 remains optimistic. The government’s 2025–26 Budget underscores Hong Kong’s ambition to become a global mega-events hub, with over 140 conventions and 180 exhibitions planned for the year.
Major events in November such as China’s 15th National Games, which is being co-hosted by Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Macao, are expected to showcase the region’s sports stadia including Kai Tak Sports Park. For the international exhibitions industry, Bailey said the UFI Global Congress at AsiaWorld-Expo would reinforce Hong Kong’s status as the “Trade Fair and Events Capital of Asia”.
“These events not only attract high-net-worth visitors but also showcase Hong Kong’s iconic scenery and vibrant culture to the world,” Bailey said.
Sustainability is also high on the association’s agenda. Through the HKECIA Sustainability Charter and a partnership with Informa Markets Asia, the association has endorsed the “Better Stands” initiative, which promotes the use of reusable exhibition stands to reduce waste. The association also supported Food Angel at the annual dinner by donating unconsumed food to help the underprivileged.
“These efforts reflect our shared commitment to creating a more sustainable and socially responsible industry,” he said.
While the exhibition sector remained a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s tourism economy, benefiting industries such as aviation, hospitality, retail, and tourism, Bailey said it also played a crucial role in niche sectors like jewellery, art, wine, and licensing, which generate economic activity beyond traditional tourism metrics.
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“Our success is not just about exhibitions – it’s about the opportunities we create and the businesses we support,” Bailey said.
Looking ahead, Bailey emphasised the importance of unity and collaboration in overcoming the industry’s challenges. “The association is committed to advocating for our members, providing platforms for networking and information exchange, and addressing pressing issues such as labour shortages, environmental concerns and economic challenges,” he said.
As the HKECIA marked its 35th anniversary on May 30, the association also welcomed four new members – digital-support specialists Cvent Singapore, early education providers D&P Kingdom, recyclable bag and packaging supplier EzyGreenPak, and digital startup Muxic.
KITEC Redevelopment Earmarks Exhibition Space
The redevelopment of the Kowloon Bay International Trade and Exhibition Centre (KITEC) is set to take a new direction, with a stronger emphasis on supporting Hong Kong’s exhibition and showroom needs.The HKECIA chairman’s report states that the original proposal, which focused on Grade A office space, has been withdrawn due to an oversupply in the Hong Kong market.
The revised plan will instead prioritise hotel and residential uses, while increasing while providing more exhibition and multi-purpose halls. A total of 23,273 square metres of floorspace will be dedicated to exhibition and showroom-related uses, the report states.
HKECIA has welcomed the new proposal, saying it “aims to address the demand for exhibition and showroom-related venues and uses”, reinforcing the site’s role as a trade mart and events hub.
Photos by Don Studio
