Hong Kong: Where trade shows thrive

Recording an incredible momentum in 2024, Hong Kong received 1.42m overnight MICE visitors, which was an increase of 10% year-on-year. Last year, half of all visitors who came for MICE events came from overseas, of which the exhibition segment accounted for over 20%, so the appeal is truly international.

Hong Kong has long been recognised as international trade fair capital of Asia, and the drawing power is backed by strong governmental support, excellent business set-up and infrastructures as well as destination appeal that simply makes every show thrive and leaves visitors rewarded. 

“In 2025, Hong Kong not only plays host to prestigious high-yield business events but also stages a wide spectrum of mega art and culture, sports and entertainment events, especially with a number of newly developed tourism infrastructures. These events will create the synergy of enriching the overall destination experiences for exhibition visitors, driving longer lengths of stay and delivering tremendous benefits to Hong Kong’s economy,” said Marilyn Tham, general manager, MICE & Cruise Division, at HKTB.

This year, over 90 trade shows are taking place in town, including all the recurrent shows of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Global Sources, Informa markets and ComAsia, but also key events such as APLF Leather, the biennial HOFEX show and returning IAAPA Expo Asia 2026.  For Informa Markets, on top of the range of recurrent shows, they are also bringing in their flagship MICE trade shows to the APAC region, considering Hong Kong as the destination of choice for global expansion, further to the last year’s inaugural Super Terminal Expo. 

Impressive results and line-up 

Two convention centres are recording impressive results. Managing director of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), Monica Lee-Müller, says that trade exhibitions at the HKCEC fully returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2024, achieving a “100% recovery”. She reports that 812 events were held throughout the year, including 33 new exhibitions and conferences, as well as approximately 100 international ones.

Lee notes that Hong Kong continues to be the preferred destination for international events in Asia. The HKCEC, located in the business district, is easily accessible, high-quality services, and outstanding hosting capabilities. In February, Consensus Hong Kong 2025 attracted 10,000 professionals from the crypto, blockchain, and Web3 sectors from across 102 countries and regions, including 7,500 non-locals. In July next year, HKCEC will host the first overseas edition of Leap, introducing a new series called Leap East as it expands into Asia.

With a number of inaugural conventions and exhibitions taking place in AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), from the flagship MICE trade show Connect Marketplace Hong Kong, aviation show of Airspace Asia, to the exhibition industry’s global gathering at the UFI Congress, AWE is proud to share its strategic location, which is further strengthened by the new development of the airport area and the Greater Bay Area. 

AsiaWorld-Expo CEO Irene Chan says: “Located at the heart of Mainland China’s fast-growing Greater Bay Area, AWE is the perfect showcase of the synergies and rich potential of this vibrant market.” She also notes 2025 is a landmark year with the ongoing development of SKYCITY, near to AWE. 

Global flagship MICE trade events Converge in Hong Kong 

Ahead of the UFI Global Congress in November. Michael Duck, executive VP at Informa and past UFI president, says: “The UFI Congress will conclude a multi-year tour through the world’s leading exhibition markets in 2025 – after the USA in 2023 and Germany in 2024, Hong Kong will take the global UFI community to Greater China. We will also be able to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of AsiaWorld-Expo together with our hosts.”

Connect Marketplace, one of the prominent MICE trade shows originating from North America, launched its inaugural APAC version in March. Margaret Ma Connolly, president & CEO of Informa Markets in Asia, which organised the event, says: “With its unique blend of Chinese and Western cultures, status as a global business hub, world-class infrastructure and extensive experience in hosting large-scale international MICE events, Hong Kong is the ideal destination for Connect Marketplace’s expansion from North America to Asia.”

IAAPA Expo Asia 2026 – the largest and leading trade show for the attractions industry in Asia Pacific will also converge in Hong Kong, making the city the ideal meeting place for MICE, tourism and beyond. 

Unmatched incentives for exhibitions

A thriving exhibitions scene comes with unrivalled incentives offered by the Hong Kong authorities. Stuart Bailey, chairman of the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association, explains: “The Hong Kong government has injected HK$500m (US$64m) to continue the venue rental subsidy for new and recurrent large international exhibitions until the end of June 2026. Coupled with Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)’s extensive financial subsidies and enhanced hospitality for new international exhibitions, these unmatched destination incentives position Hong Kong as a smart choice for organisers and attendees alike.”

Future-proof infrastructure for mega shows and events

Apart from government’s incentives, Hong Kong is not standing still as new infrastructure developments and investments show. The region is in expansion mode, with both AsiaWorld-Expo and HKCEC set to undergo substantial development programmes The two flagship venues are also recently certified as Muslim-friendly by CrescentRating, providing prayer spaces and halal-certified food provision, along with 140+ other Muslim-friendly dining outlets in the city, serving the ever-growing Muslim population. 

And Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong’s largest multi-purpose sports and entertainment complex, able to house up to 50,000 spectators, had its grand opening on 1 March, since when the city has quickly fired up the mega sports and entertainment scene with Hong Kong Sevens and Coldplay’s the Music of the Spheres World Tour.

Kai Tak Sports Park

At Hong Kong International Airport, the launch of the three-runway system and the visionary Skytopia project herald in a new era of connectivity and innovation. Skytopia is set to become a world-class landmark to converge business activities, leisure experiences, art and culture, marina and water recreation, and a sportainment complex all in one place. 

The fully operational three-runway system will serve 120m passengers and handle 10m tonnes of cargo annually, cementing Hong Kong’s status as a premier aviation hub and a “super connector”.

Exhibiting: a rewarding experience in Hong Kong 

To elevate the entire exhibition experiences, this year, the HKTB has renewed the Hong Kong Rewards! Programme and joined forces with industry partners to develop privileges tailored for exhibitions.

Exhibition visitors can enjoy an array of exclusive offers and attractive benefits from the moment they arrive in Hong Kong until their departure. Hospitality offers and privileges include a variety of exclusive benefits, featuring exciting attraction offers, air and rail offers and cultural experience opportunities What better way than maximising both business potential and rewarding experiences in one short trip? Hong Kong has the best of both worlds ready to trade shows to new heights. 

Scan the QR code to discover more: www. mehongkong.com/

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