Upbeat Business at HKCEC amid Global Economic Challenges
(Hong Kong, 28 November 2008) Business at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) remains upbeat with recurrent and new show themes ranging from cosmetics to real estate development to super cars galore.
Despite the global economic downturn, the HKCEC stands solid as a bustling business venue with prominent trade shows held at the Centre in the last weeks reflecting confidence and growth.
Concluding its 13th edition, the largest ever Cosmoprof Asia 2008 (12-14 November) occupied all exhibition halls at the Centre, and registered a 3-day record attendance. The annual business to business beauty event attracted 1,357 international exhibitors (up from 1,265 in 2007) and a record 39,467 quality visitors (an increase of 6.4% over last year) from around the world.
Hot on the heels of Cosmoprof's success was MIPIM Asia 2008 (19-21 November) held for its third year in the Centre. More than 2,000 professionals from the international property market with an eye on the Asia Pacific region congregated at the event.
"We were very pleased with MIPIM Asia this week. We had strong traffic and our clients were very focused on doing business. The fact is that there are always opportunities even in a troubled environment. Our international real estate clients know this and were determined to do deals and make contacts. During the event, the intensity and positive energy were strong. There was also a real desire to learn and exchange. Everyone realises it is critical to carry on to ensure future opportunity and success," said Mr Paul Zilk, Chief Executive Officer of Reed Midem.
InfoComm Asia 2008 (19-21 November), a newly inaugurated tradeshow in the HKCEC this year, was the largest InfoComm event ever staged in Asia featuring 14,000 sq m of the latest AV systems. This important trade platform for audio and visual professionals was organised by InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd based in Singapore. It attracted over 220 exhibitors from 20 countries and more than 7,000 attendees from 49 countries, out of which 53% came from outside Hong Hong. Following the great success of the inaugural show, the next InfoComm Asia 2010 will be held in HKCEC again.
Top Gear Live, the phenomenal car show based on the award-winning BBC hit TV series in the UK, announced that their first ever live show in Asia will take place in the Centre on 20-22 February 2009. This unusual event will bring the latest sexiest sports cars, breath-taking stunts, amazing special effects and horeographed driving sequences and will feature some of the world's best precision drivers.
Mr Cliff Wallace, HKCEC's Managing Director, said, "It is gratifying to see our prestigious recurrent shows remaining strong and new shows selecting Hong Kong and the Centre. I am confident that Hong Kong will continue to reflect its record of trade fair success, and remain central to Asia's international exhibition market. Though we will experience adverse impact to some degree from the economic downturn, the GDP growth and buying power of the region relative to other global regions, will help us to weather the storm ahead."
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Ltd (HML) is a member of NWS Holdings Limited. NWS Holdings Limited ("NWS Holdings", Hong Kong stock code: 659), the infrastructure and service flagship of New World Development Company Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 17), embraces a diversified range of businesses in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Macau. Its Infrastructure portfolio includes Roads, Energy, Water and Ports projects. Its Service & Rental division comprises Facilities Rental (the management of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and ATL Logistics Centre), Contracting (Hip Hing Construction and NWS Engineering), Financial Services (Taifook Securities and New World Insurance) and Other Services (New World First Bus, Citybus and New World First Ferry).