The removal of Hong Kong from the World Health Organisation's (WHO) list of "SARS-affected areas", following the lifting of the WHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel advisories on travel to Hong Kong and neighbouring Guangdong Province, comes as a further confidence boost for everyone at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Our staff is pleased with the good news and remains optimistic that Hong Kong is "back in business".

Since the SARS virus outbreak in March, the business at HKCEC has continued although daily events between April and June have been local in nature and smaller in size. We are fortunate that we have successfully rescheduled most of our major events to alternative dates in the second half of this year and early next year. Our genuine thanks go out to all of our clients for their patience and support. They not only have rescheduled in so many instances, but also have cooperated in shifting dates to accommodate others.

Our crisis management plan at the HKCEC, thankfully, was very successful. Personal attention to all employees and their families as well as vigorous emphasis on hygiene were our priorities. We are fortunate that we had no employee infected, nor were any of their family members identified with symptoms of the virus. We will continue our emphasis on these priorities and will work closely with our clients to update exhibitors, buyers, delegates and visitors of the safe conditions within Hong Kong and the HKCEC.

Business in Hong Kong is recovering even quicker than expected. Hong Kong continues as the best city in Asia to do business. Exhibitions and conferences are experiencing renewed international interest. We are pleased to see Hong Kong's entertainment scene thriving again. "Jose Feliciano Hello to Hong Kong Concert", to be held in August, is the first international concert to return to the Hong Kong stage after the SARS related slow-down. Please watch our website carefully to see the many rescheduled events in our Event Calendar, which truly demonstrates the vitality and vibrancy of an international city geared to strengthen its leading role as the "Events Capital of Asia".

There is tremendous relief that SARS is now contained in Hong Kong. While life returns to normal, we will not be complacent. The staff at the HKCEC is committed to maintaining all of our facilities in excellent condition and assuring the public of a safe venue through vigilance and our stringent hygiene measures.

We welcome you back to Hong Kong and the HKCEC soon - for exhibitions and other international events and for opening up businesses through the gateway to China and the Asia Pacific region. Business in Hong Kong is back!

Cliff Wallace
HKCEC Managing Director