Playing host to catering and hospitality folk will always be a challenge, but for the HKCEC, caring for HOFEX is a labour of love. The welcome return of the event in May 2001 further strengthened Hong Kong's position as the gourmet capital of Asia, providing HOFEX with the platform to market the very best the world has to offer in terms of food, beverages and service equipment for the hospitality industry

Revitalised Asian economies helped stimulate record attendance and brisk business. Once again, HOFEX demonstrated its universal appeal by drawing buyers from 74 countries and regions, who accounted for a quarter of the 28,802 trade visitors - a total some 8,000 more than the previous show in 1999.

What they found was an unprecedented variety of quality products catering for virtually every taste and need. Close to 60 countries and regions exhibited at the show, backed by 35 national pavilions and 1,630 individual companies that took up a record 26,500m² of floor space. For the first time, Germany, Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan participated as national groups.

Undaunted by the simultaneous opening of the FORTUNE Global Forum attended by President Jiang Zemin, the Centre's staff gave HOFEX exhibitors access to the halls two days early so that they had plenty of time to set up ahead of the heightened security.

Among the many satisfied exhibitors was Miami-based Neal Asbury of Greenfield Worldtrade, who attended the first HOFEX when it was held at the Shatin Racecourse more than two decades ago. "It's an excellent show, and this year has been better than ever. I'm very happy with the flow of potential customers."

Away from the contract signing, participants were treated to a number of special events and promotions, including competitions to test the skills of chefs and bartenders, and the Hong Kong International Wine Challenge.