New honour for HKCEC Managing Director

Cliff Wallace, CFE Managing Director, HKCEC

Most of the world's leading exhibition organisers, exhibition venue owners and operators are members of global exhibition industry association UFI, representing the exhibition industry since 1925 and today drawing members from over 165 cities and 70 countries worldwide. At UFI's recent 72nd Congress in Moscow, HKCEC Managing Director Cliff Wallace was elected to the post of Vice President and a place on UFI's Executive Committee, an honour following fast on his appointment as First Vice Chairman of UFI's Asia Pacific Chapter last year. "I believe it's a good move to include an exhibition venue manager like myself on UFI's senior management team," said Wallace, who has been at the HKCEC helm for almost eleven years. "I've seen for myself the difference that can be made when organisers and venue operators enter into dialogue and planning together, and I'll be encouraging more such co-operation in my new role."

Stars for service

Each year, Asia's number one travel trade publication TTG hands out a number of much sought-after awards to outstanding Asia Pacific travel industry players. This year the 16th Annual TTG Travel Awards ceremony was held in October in Pattaya, Thailand. The HKCEC's Director of Business Development Ms Monica Lee-Müller was there to represent the Centre and to collect an award, after the Centre was unanimously voted the Asia Pacific's "Best Convention and Exhibition Centre" by readers of TTG Asia, TTG China, BTN Asia Pacific and TTGmice on the basis of its "dedication to commitment and service excellence". Says Ms Lee- Müller, "This award is especially gratifying because it represents the opinions of the key industry figures who make up TTG's readership. I am delighted that the quality of our staff and our commitment to customer service excellence have again been recognised in such a high-profile manner, and I'm very proud of all the individuals on our staff for their enormous contribution to the HKCEC's success."

Smoke-free HKCEC

The exhibition industry typically brings together many people in enclosed spaces, and that's a major reason why the HKCEC has decided to follow global trends and make the entire Centre a smoke-free venue from 1 January 2006. "The decision reflects our concern as venue management professionals for the health and comfort not only of our clients and customers, but of our staff and of the public at large," says HKCEC Managing Director Cliff Wallace. "It's also an initiative that will align us with best practice worldwide in our industry. Exhibitors and visitors alike have recognised the benefits of the change and given the move positive feedback? Exhibition organisers and other clients have been informed of the change, and now the HKCEC is also beginning to install signs reminding patrons that the new policy is imminent, and will apply to all the Centre's major venues, its restaurants, and all other public spaces.

Building Business from the Inside

Business is brisk at the HKCEC, but in an ever-changing world we try and make sure there are always new exhibitions and events on the horizon. The HKCEC's top executives are tireless in their efforts to seek out potential new business and to publicise the advantages of holding exhibitions and conventions in Hong Kong, and at the Centre. It's a task that sees them in the air and on the road for long stretches, making the case for the merits of our city and our venue. Most recently, the Centre's Deputy Managing Director attended the aeo Conference 2005 in September and it's Managing Director attended the 72nd UFI Congress in October. At the time of writing, three other industry events are coming up at which the Centre's management will be present. To stay abreast of significant industry events, the HKCEC sponsors UFI Asia/Pacific Seminar, an event that will bring exhibition professionals from the region to the HKCEC in February 2006, and it continues it hosting of a networking luncheon at the 4th International CEO Forum.

These efforts are continuing to bear valuable fruit. To date, personal contact by HKCEC management has helped negotiate the arrival of seven new trade exhibitions to the HKCEC in 2006: China Maritime, GOVSEC ASIA 2006 - The Government Security Conference & Expo/ ASIA LAW ENFORCEMENT Conference & Exposition/ ASIA READY - The Emergency Preparedness and Response Conference & Exposition, Decosit HKG, Broadband World Forum Asia, the Hong Kong International Textile and Garment Machinery and Technology Fair, the Hong Kong International Medical and Health Care Fair, and MIPIM Asia. Equally importantly, HKCEC executives have been also active in convincing exhibitions to return a second time to the Centre. Fire Asia and Vinexpo Asia Pacific are two such cases. Though the exhibition industry is a large scale one, this success is a reminder that ultimately, nothing beats the personal touch.

Upcoming industry events that HKCEC senior executives plan to attend:

	Event	Date	Place
	China Expo Forum for International Cooperation	11-13 January 2006	Guangzhou, China
	International CEO Forum	18-20 January 2006	Monte Carol, Monaco
	UFI Asia/Pacific Seminar	21-22 February 2006	Hong Kong, China

Food for Thought

The award-winning HKICC team and the men behind the scenes.

Guests often tell us one of the best things about coming to the HKCEC is the chance to enjoy our fabulous dining facilities. Our well-earned reputation as a gourmet's delight has been further reinforced in recent months with awards from two major cooking competitions. From 10-13 May, the Hong Kong International Culinary Classic (HKICC) 2005 brought together 437 entrants from 60 organisations around the world for some serious cooking rivalry. The event was jointly organised by The Hong Kong Chefs Association and Hong Kong Exhibition Services Limited, who selected around 60 judges from leading hotels and restaurants. Of the prizes on offer, the Centre's chefs managed to collect 11 awards, including prestigious Gold Awards in the Gourmet Team Challenge and the Western Cuisine Category for Appetizers Display and Main Courses Display.

At the 2005 'Best of the Best Culinary Awards' organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, our Golden Bauhinia Cantonese Restaurant chefs won a Gold with Distinction Award in the Deep-fried Dish category, and a Gold Award in the Chinese World Fusion category. The Golden Bauhinia Cantonese Restaurant will now take its place with other winning restaurants as an official 'Gourmet Ambassador' for Hong Kong, promoting and enhancing Hong Kong's reputation for culinary excellence."

Low-season Discounts Extended

Like most industries, the exhibition industry experiences 'high seasons' when large numbers of trade fairs and similar events are organised. As an incentive to event organisers, we have made it even more beneficial to schedule events at the HKCEC outside the high seasons for 2006. We've done that by expanding our 30% low season discount rate so that it now applies to half the entire year, and covers February, May, June, July, August and December. On top of that, HKCEC rental rates for the entire year remain frozen at last year's levels, while a number of other valuable offers are available to help further reduce event costs.

Seventeen Years Young

It's the HKCEC's seventeenth birthday in November of this year, and once again we can't help but marvel how quickly the year has passed and how good the Centre is looking as it gets nearer to two decades of service! As we reflect on 17 years of contributing to trade growth and the development of Hong Kong, we must once more pass on our thanks to all our customers, exhibitors, visitors and users whose patronage and loyalty have helped establish the HKCEC as a jewel in Hong Kong's crown, and one of the Asia Pacific's most sought-after exhibition and conference venues.

Exhibition Survey Insights

Results of the annual Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) survey for 2004 were released in June, and painted a picture of robust exhibition activity in Hong Kong despite increasing regional competition. While some analysts have seen the growth of exhibition facilities in China and elsewhere as posing potential problems for Hong Kong, the HKECIA survey told a very different story. Its figures showed that the number of exhibiting companies and the number of visitors to Hong Kong trade fairs continued to rise significantly in 2004, as businesses recognised that the city was the best place in the region to find high-quality international buyers. In particular, Mainland companies exhibiting in Hong Kong nearly doubled between 2002 and 2004. Visitors too continued to rise to reach just under 3.6 million for 2004. For details of the survey results, please visit the HKECIA website at www.exhibitions.org.hk.

Quantifying Economic Impact

The HKECIA survey (see previous story) contains detailed information that has major implications for Hong Kong's economy and future planning. However, the information it contains needs to be quantified, analysed and presented to international standards by financial experts in order to be fully useable, so the HKECIA has commissioned analysts KPMG to carry out an Economic Impact Study based on the survey. The study will evaluate the economic benefits of exhibition activities to the Hong Kong economy, and should provide valuable data for members of the exhibition industry, related industries, and various government departments. Currently well underway, the study should be completed by November. Results will be published on the HKECIA's website at www.exhibitions.org.hk.