AsiaWorld-Expo celebrates 20 years of achievement in support of Hong Kong's economic development

AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), a leading conference and exhibition center in the Asia-Pacific region, celebrated its 20th anniversary with a banquet ceremony on January 15. The event brought together key figures from Hong Kong’s political, business, and MICE sectors to mark the milestone and unveil its exciting forthcoming events calendar for the new year.

A star-studded banquet marks two decades of success

The ‘Banquet Ceremony in Celebration of the 20th Anniversary’ was graced by prominent officials, including Michael Wong, Deputy Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government; Simon Li, Chairman of AsiaWorld-Expo; Fred Lam, Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong; Vivian Cheung, Acting CEO of the Airport Authority Hong Kong; and Irene Chan, CEO of AWE. Together, they officiated a ceremonial lighting to symbolize AWE’s two decades of support in driving economic growth in Hong Kong.

Chief Executive applauds AWE’s significant contribution

In a video message, Chief Executive John Lee congratulated AWE on its contributions to the city’s economy. He highlighted that AWE has successfully attracted participants from around the globe by hosting a multitude of large-scale activities, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a hub for iconic events. This has not only facilitated talent and business exchanges across various sectors, but also boosted the tourism, hospitality, retail, entertainment and transportation industries, contributing significantly to Hong Kong’s economy.

Ambitious plans for 2025 unveiled

Speaking at the event, Simon Li acknowledged the challenges posed by regional competition and the economic impact of the pandemic but commended the AWE team for their unwavering resilience. Over 330 major events were hosted at the venue in 2024 alone, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a hub for international conferences and exhibitions.

The anniversary banquet also showcased AWE’s busy schedules for 2025. A lineup of world-class events includes the debut of the ‘Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show’, an Asian version of the renowned London equestrian event, and other international conferences such as ‘Routes World 2025’ and ‘Airspace Asia Pacific 2025’ for the aviation industry. The year will also feature major cross-industry gatherings like ‘Connect Marketplace Hong Kong’, the ‘UFI Global Congress’ for the MICE industry, and four leading technology exhibitions: Build4Asia 2025, The Battery Show Asia, Mobility Tech Asia, and Data Center Asia. These events are expected to attract a significant number of business travelers, injecting fresh energy into the local economy.

Celebrating two decades of achievement

The banquet also reflected on AWE’s journey over the past two decades, with a series of striking lightbox installations arranged as a memory pathway, highlighting major milestones and important moments, such as the relocation of the China Sourcing Fair to Hong Kong in 2006, Madonna’s 2016 concert, the iconic musical “The Lion King” in 2019, and the inaugural “Super Terminal Expo” in 2024. Another highlight was the ‘Wall of Stars’, a stunning installation featuring signatures of over 200 international superstars who have performed at AWE, underscoring its role as a premier entertainment venue.

Art and creativity took center stage during the evening as Snow Chung, President of the Hong Kong Sand Painting Association, delivered an evocative sand art performance, symbolizing AWE’s journey and accomplishments. A video series featuring AWE employees shared behind-the-scenes stories of hosting large-scale events, emphasizing the teamwork and dedication that have defined the venue’s success.

A bold vision

Under the anniversary theme ‘Explore All in AWE,’ Irene Chan, CEO of AsiaWorld-Expo, emphasized the venue’s commitment to driving innovation and fostering global collaboration. The campaign reflects AWE’s position as a platform for limitless opportunities and dazzling discoveries.

AsiaWorld-Expo’s 20th anniversary is a celebration of its legacy and a confident step into a promising future. AWE Phase 2 Development creates an extra 30,000m2 of extra exhibition space, featuring Hong Kong’s largest indoor multipurpose venue. Set to open in 2028, AWE Phase 2 will inject new energy to SKYTOPIA where it is located. With its strategic location, professional expertise and proven track record, AWE continues to play a vital role in boosting Hong Kong’s economy while attracting global audiences and events to its world-class facilities.