Eight venues for events, 16 for ads under LCSD commercialization push

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) plans to open selected venues and facilities for commercial events and advertising, with tenders expected to be launched in the first half of this year.

Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Manda Chan Wing-man said the department intends to make eight venues or facilities available for commercial or private events, while 16 venues or facilities will be opened for commercial advertising purposes.

Speaking at a media tea gathering, Chan revealed that the department has so far received 14 expressions of interest from organizations. She said authorities aim to begin the tender process in the first half of the year, award operating rights for event planning and advertising services by mid-year, and have professional operators in place to provide services by the third quarter.

Chan said the department is considering two preliminary options: either appointing separate operators to handle events and advertising respectively, or engaging a single operator to take charge of both activities. The contract period will last at least three years.

She noted that among the organizations that submitted expressions of interest are experienced event planning firms and leading advertising companies, which the department finds encouraging.

Based on the submissions, Chan said the market has shown particular interest in hosting events at the Kwun Tong Promenade and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, as well as placing advertisements on the exterior walls of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Hong Kong Space Museum.

Chan stressed that any advertising content must not conflict with the image of the venue or undermine the government’s reputation.