CONNECT MARKETPLACE Hong Kong (CMHK) appears to be gaining commercial traction, judging by the response of delegates at its recent 2026 edition, where deal-making over table tops rather than buyers fleeting between showfloor appointments was the event’s hallmark.
For Yoke Cheong, managing and account director, APAC, at International Conference Services, the appeal lay in the show’s tightly curated meetings programme. Attending as a buyer, she said the format created space for considered conversations rather than hurried exchanges typical of large trade fairs.
“I thought the meetings were very well matched,” Cheong said. “From those meetings, I was able to have in-depth conversations with some of the exhibitors. It gave me opportunities to source potential collaborations and found out more about innovative solutions.”
Her reaction reflects the intent of the organisers, Informa Markets, which has positioned CMHK as a marketplace focused on outcomes. The March 18-19 event, held at AsiaWorld‑Expo, delivered more than 2,000 one‑to‑one business matchings across 11,000 square metres of exhibition space, according to Informa.
The organiser said 90 per cent of participants were decision makers, helping to drive what it described as “high-value connections and real business opportunities”.
Now in its second edition following a debut in 2025, CMHK 2026 recorded higher attendance and exhibitor numbers, underlining what Informa Markets says is a growing appetite for a regionally focused business events platform.
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More than 150 exhibitors and brands from 13 countries and regions took part, while total visitor numbers exceeded 4,500, nearly half of whom travelled from overseas, spanning 28 markets across Asia Pacific and beyond.
From the exhibitor side, Tan Mei Phing, chief executive of Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau, said the structured approach distinguished CMHK from other business event trade shows. Joining the event for the first time, she highlighted the absence of interruptions and the ability to prepare in advance.
It’s very different from the other shows. Normally we all meet at the pavilion and the free schedule appointment goes on. This time doing it differently is good. I realise there is no interruption. It’s a very good move for Informa to start this.”
– Tan Mei Phing, MyCEB
The exhibitor roster covered destinations and service providers from Australia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the US, while the visitor profile extended beyond business events specialists to include hospitality, travel and tourism, marketing, finance, property development and technology professionals.
Located on the exhibition floor, across from the pavilions and booths, CMHK’s conference programme focused on strategy and practical application, with an agenda covering case studies, best practices and “advanced strategy masterclasses” designed to sharpen performance through a mix of analytical and creative thinking.
Delegates also took part in familiarisation trips to Hong Kong and Shenzhen and a guided tour of Hong Kong International Airport, alongside networking functions ranging from a gala dinner to an evening of horse racing viewed from a corporate deck at Happy Valley.
Main picture… Informa Markets Asia’s Benson Tang, left, hosts a panel on corporate travel and MICE services procurement
