Hong Kong hosted more large-scale exhibitions in 2025 than before the pandemic, underlining a recovery in one of its core business sectors even as international participation in trade and trade-consumer event showed signs of strain.
The latest annual survey by Hong Convention and Exhibition Association (HKECIA) showed the rebound in 2025 was shadowed by a “concerning trend” of declining exhibitor and visitor participation in trade and consumer shows, pointing to uneven momentum across the market.
HKECIA reported that Hong Kong hosted 152 large-scale exhibitions – defined as events occupying more than 2,000 square metres – surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time. The tally reflects a recovery in core event volumes and demand for space, with total exhibition area rising 11.5 per cent to more than 924,000 sqm.
Wendy Lai, chair of the HKECIA, said: “This upward trajectory reflects sustained market demand for Hong Kong as a leading global exhibition hub. The Government’s Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions (ISRE 2.0) has been instrumental in enabling organisers to launch new themed fairs and expand existing events, further enhancing Hong Kong’s attractiveness to international organisers.”
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Attendance at trade and trade-and-consumer events reached 1.62 million, or 87 per cent of the 1.86 million recorded in 2019, while the number of such exhibitions rose 18.8 per cent year on year to 95. A further 57 events were classified as consumer shows.
The survey also highlighted weakening participation levels in 2025. Exhibitor numbers in the trade and trade-and-consumer segments fell by 8 per cent to about 47,000 companies, down from nearly 52,000, while international visitor arrivals dropped 17.5 per cent to 115,000.
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“While the industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and capability, it faces significant headwinds ahead,” Lai said.
“An uncertain global economic outlook, policy volatility, and the conclusion of government support measures such as ISRE 2.0 are expected to place considerable financial pressure on organisers, making it more challenging to launch new themed exhibitions and sustain recurring events.”
Main image… Algernon Yau, the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (sat centre) with HKECIA’s executive council
