Asian Exhibition Forum to highlight region's trade fair potential

Hong Kong, 28 August, 2003 --- Hong Kong today hosts the inaugural Asian Exhibition Forum (AEF), a gathering of leaders within the exhibition industry from around the region and beyond. The First Asian Exhibition Forum is designed to pool knowledge and expertise from across Asia in order to advance the profile and effectiveness of the region as a trade exhibition destination. Organisers say its scheduling in Hong Kong is a testimony to Hong Kong's strong reputation and leading position within the industry in the region.

The organisation of the AEF involves a fourfold collaboration between the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA), the Union of International Fairs (UFI), the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC), and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). The organisers are delighted to have received full support from the HKSAR government, represented at the Forum by the Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Stephen Ip Shu-kwan and at the gala dinner by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr John Tsang Chun-wah.

The Forum has attracted delegates from every sector and region associated with the exhibition industry across Asia, and welcomes in excess of 300 participants to the world-class Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) for today's wide range of talks and activities. Part of the event's success is attributable to the support given by the national exhibition associations of other Asian countries, in a positive display of regional co-operation. Chairman of the Forum Organising Committee Mr Stanley Chu, who also heads the HKECIA, spoke warmly about the efforts that have contributed to such an impressive turnout. "This first Forum has been created by the hard work of numerous organisations and individuals who share a real belief in and commitment to the importance of the exhibition industry to our region," he said. "Without their efforts, this first-ever gathering of industry expertise from across Asia would never have taken place."

The Forum's keynote speaker Mr Sandy Angus, President of UFI, noted that "trade exhibitions are unique in promoting and creating business, and a modern international city cannot do without them. I welcome the Forum as an ideal opportunity for those involved in this rapidly growing industry in Asia to plan for the future and grapple with the challenges ahead."

Mr Frederick Lam, Deputy Executive Director of the TDC welcomed the event. "Hong Kong has always been a strong international player in the trade fair business. With China's increasing liberalisation under WTO and now Cepa, more and more Chinese buyers and sellers are recognising Hong Kong's vital role as a marketplace for international trade. Forums like this allow us to stay at the forefront of the trade fair industry."

Another joint organiser, the HKTB, was also strongly positive about the event's potential contribution to Hong Kong. "At a time when we are actively reviving Hong Kong's tourism, it is very valuable to have leading exhibition industry organisers and representatives coming here from across the region and experiencing the rejuvenated city for themselves," said Executive Director Clara Chong. "They will find that none of the fundamentals that have made Hong Kong such a successful exhibition destination have changed, indeed it is a more vibrant and exciting venue than ever."

The Forum is followed by a Networking Lounge and the gala dinner on the same day and a site tour to the Shenzhen Conference and Exhibition Centre on 29 August.

For media enquiries, please contact the Forum Media Coordinator:
Miss Gloria Fong
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
1 Expo Drive, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2582 7918
Fax: (852) 2582 7021
E-mail: gloriafong@hkcec.com

BACKGROUNDER OF JOINT ORGANISERS

Hong Kong Exhibition Convention Industry Association
The Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA), originally founded in 1990, is a body set up to promote Hong Kong as a world-class exhibition and conference destination and the trade fair capital of Asia. It works to represent the interests of all members involved in the exhibition and convention industries, and provides a unified voice in dealing with the government, legislative and statutory bodies, the media and public organisations, on all matters to do with the role of the exhibition and convention industry in Hong Kong's economy. In addition, it offers training and educational programmes, and collects, analyses and distributes information and statistics relating to the industry.

Union of International Fairs
The Union of International Fairs (UFI) is a Paris-based organisation which acts as an international forum for the global trade fair industry. Originally founded in 1925, UFI currently has 197 full members and 37 associate members, drawn from 73 countries around the world. UFI has approved over 600 events organised by its members who are generally the leading trade fair organisers in their respective countries striving for the high quality and standards which are the objectives of UFI. UFI acts as a forum for international dialogue and a networking platform for exchanging ideas and experiences. UFI promotes the unique advantages of trade fairs for global trade worldwide, and is a major producer of international studies and research on benefits and trends within the industry, as well as a provider of training and seminar opportunities.

Hong Kong Trade Development Council
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) is the global marketing arm for Hong Kong-based manufacturers, traders and service exporters, with its activities especially geared to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It promotes Hong Kong as Asia's trade fair capital, and is itself a major exhibition organiser. TDC maintains offices in some 40 commercial centres worldwide, including 11 in the PRC. Through these offices, the TDC scouts for market opportunities, organises promotional activities, cultivates business contacts and processes a steady stream of fresh market intelligence for the benefit of Hong Kong enterprises. It also supports the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations worldwide, which has over 8,000 associates who are mostly small and medium enterprises with special partnership ties to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Tourism Board
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a statutory body charged with promoting Hong Kong as a business and leisure destination worldwide, and thereby increasing the contribution of tourism to the economy. With a head office in Hong Kong, it has 12 offices and seven representatives around the world. In conjunction with local and international trade partners including airlines, hotels and tour operators, the HKTB organises a wide range of marketing and promotional activities worldwide to generate travel to Hong Kong. It also takes initiatives to enhance visitors' experience when they arrive and generate tourism spending. These include providing information and assistance to visitors, promoting hospitality and quality service in tourism-related businesses, and working with relevant Government departments to promote the improvement of visitor facilities.