Nearly 120 expos confirmed for HKCEC this year

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai will hold at least 117 exhibitions this year, said the venue's management team.

Managing director Monica Lee-Muller also said the number of shows and events hosted at the HKCEC between July and December last year reached 84 percent of prepandemic levels - in line with expectations.

A number of exhibitions were held at the HKCEC for the first time last year and early this year including Hong Kong Cat Expo, the Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition and the Hong Kong Holiday and Travel Expo.

"As of January this year, a total of 117 exhibitions have confirmed HKCEC as the venue this year," said Lee-Muller.

Conventions and exhibitions which were held outside Hong Kong because of the pandemic also returned to the SAR after the lifting of restrictions.

Several large-scale trade fairs will be held between March and May including the fashion accessories sourcing show APLF Leather & Materials+, Fashion Access from next Tuesday to Thursday, Art Basel Hong Kong from March 28 to 30, as well as the international trade show for wine and spirits in Asia - Vinexpo Asia Hong Kong - from May 28 to 30.

More new trade shows will be held at HKCEC, including Consensus - the world's longest-standing and most influential cryptocurrency and Web3 event - for the first time next year. People at the event will get the chance to know more about the opportunities and challenges brought about by technologies like artificial intelligence, block chains and Web3. Last year's event in Austin, Texas in the US had attracted over 15,000 participants from over 100 countries.

The HKCEC will also implement a no-plastic policy from next month.

Eco-friendly meal boxes made with bagasse and plant fibers have been used in the venue since last October. It could save on over 930,000 non-reusable and non-degradable meal boxes yearly.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com