13th Hong Kong International Toys & Gifts Show / 12th Asian Gifts Premium & Household Products Show 20-23 October 2004 Full to Overflowing

For four days last October, the HKCEC looked like a vast oriental emporium, as exhibitors from the 13th Hong Kong International Toys & Gifts Show and the 12th Asian Gifts Premium & Household Products Show put together a sourcing extravaganza for buyers from all over the world. Halls, foyers and atriums were packed with stands. No wonder the combined fair is simply called the 'Mega Show', and is recognised as one of the largest trade fairs of its kind in Asia! Organiser Kenfair International says the 2004 show was one of the most successful on record, with attendance records being exceeded yet again. Just short of 64,000 buyers roamed the HKCEC, a rise of nearly 6% over 2003, and the growing number of international visitors confirmed the event as one of the year's most important global sourcing activities. In the Centre were 4,700 separate exhibition stands, invested by over 3,000 exhibiting companies. These stands displayed products that included toys and games, gift items, Christmas items, home decorations, lighting, kitchenware and tableware. "What's so great about this show is the huge variety and high quality of the products on show," said one international visitor. "The only problem is getting round to see them all!" The next edition of this high-demand show will be held at the HKCEC from 20 to 23 October 2005.

Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 1-5 September 2004 Ticking Heart of Asia

When you think watches and clocks, do you automatically think of Switzerland? Then think again. That's because the largest timepiece show worldwide is located not in Europe but right here in the ticking heart of Asia — the Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. At the HKCEC between 1 and 5 September 2004, the Fair attracted nearly 17,000 buyers from 102 countries and regions — numbers that were up 10% on the previous year. Over 40% of these buyers were from overseas, confirming the value that international businesses see in the Hong Kong event. Exhibitors took up over 31,000 square metres of floor space to showcase their wares. The fact that the Fair's 770 exhibitors were mostly Hong Kong-based emphasised the respected place the city has forged for itself in the timepiece industry, although a healthy 16% of exhibitors hailed from overseas. And the outlook for the industry is looking good according to a survey of participants, with China earmarked as the next big market. The Fair will set the HKCEC ticking again from 7 to 11 September 2005.

Cosmoprof Asia 10-12 November 2004 Asian Beauty

After a decade of success, Cosmoprof Asia is now the biggest international showcase for the beauty business in Asia and a 'must-attend' event for industry professionals. Attendance at the 3-day show, held at the HKCEC from 10 to 12 November 2004, has more than doubled since its inaugural edition in 1996, with the latest show attracting just under the 40,000 visitor mark. Exhibitors too have soared, arriving in 2004 from 36 countries and regions to create a truly international event. Coming from sectors as diverse as hairdressing, perfumery, and spa operations, they were catering to more visitors from overseas than ever before (see table of international visitor growth). Buyers arrived from 85 countries and regions, and this year the number of buyers from outside Hong Kong approached the 50% mark! Bring together so many people from an industry renowned for its trend-setting nature and there's sure to be a buzz, with the show offering a feast for the senses and a wealth of products and demonstrations that visitors could see, smell, and touch. The 10th edition of this great show will be held at the HKCEC from 9 to 11 November 2005.

In 2004, a tremendous increase in attendance was recorded for the following countries:

	Country	Increase (in %)
	Australia	+ 65%
	USA	+ 55%
	Japan	+ 46%
	Singapore	+ 27%
	Korea	+ 23%
	Mainland China	+ 11%

As the mobile and wireless communications revolution gathers momentum, so opportunities for players in this industry loom ever larger. The word is that users of the latest 3G communications technology have now reached a worldwide number of 140 million and rising. The 3G World Congress and Exhibition, held at the HKCEC from 15 to 19 November 2004, was therefore the perfect opportunity for wireless operators, infrastructure suppliers, and mobile phone manufacturers to take stock of the state of the 3G industry and plan their next moves. With a mix of displays, product launches, presentations and panels, the congress and exhibition offered 7,000 participants all they could need in the way of technology, ideas and resources for the next level of 3G penetration, including talks given by over 150 industry leaders from around the world. As befits the industry itself this was a genuinely global gathering, with exhibitors and sponsors arriving from 105 different countries and regions, and visitors from 52. Interest and attendance was so strong, in fact, that organiser The Institute for International Research plans to expand the exhibition by over 50% for the 2005 version, which will again be held at the HKCEC from 14 to 18 November 2005.

From 1 to 3 December the HKCEC hosted an event epitomising today's new-found concern with natural, healthy lifestyle choices. The third Natural Products Expo Asia, organised by Penton Media Asia, rolled out a vast range of exhibits that included natural and organic foods, dietary supplements, personal care products and alternative remedies. Judging from the record attendance this year, demand for quality natural products is definitely on the rise across Asia. Attendance was up 24% over 2003, with well over 5,000 buyers from 41 countries and regions descending on the HKCEC to sample the wares of some 200 exhibitors. One in five of these buyers arrived from outside Asia, and many participants were struck by the quality and scale of buyers attending the event. Now the largest event of its kind in Asia, the interest in natural and alternative products shows no sign of abating. The fourth edition will be staged at the HKCEC from 30 November to 2 December 2005.