United

Extraordinary growth pushes HK MICE totals to new highs

MICEBTN archive stories issue 28
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
HONG Kong’s exhibition industry enjoyed extraordinary business growth in 2006, according to a new report. The annual exhibition survey, produced by the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA), showed impressive growth in net space occupied by exhibition stands, in the number of exhibitions and visits. 

More importantly, said a spokesperson, the survey results reaffirm the potential of further expansion and diversification of Hong Kong’s wide-ranging exhibition portfolio and the continuous growth of established events.

Key findings in the survey include: Net exhibition metrage jumped by 50 per cent, the highest rate since 1997 while total exhibition stand rental revenues rose to HK$2.6 billion (US$332.4 million).  The total number of exhibitions occupying more than 1819 sqm in gross exhibition area jumped to 92 from 66 in 2005, an almost 40 per cent increase year-on-year.  Equally, the number of trade exhibitions rose to 65 from 40 representing a substantial 62.5 per cent increase on the previous year. 

The robust growth in net exhibition metrage and number of exhibitions was attributed to the first full year of operation of AsiaWorld-Expo offering additional 70,000 square metres in 2006 for new exhibitions as well as expanding and new exhibitions hosted at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

The number of exhibiting companies grew to almost 62,000, near 50 per cent increase on the previous year.  The driving force came from mainland Chinese exhibitors, up by 139 per cent in 2006, and a clear indication that despite many similar exhibitions in mainland China, companies still prefer Hong Kong’s quality shows, facilities and visitor profile.  Exhibiting companies also increased from Hong Kong (by 25 per cent), from the Asia-Pacific region ( more than 50 per cent), and the rest of the world (by 11 per cent).

Matching the growth of exhibiting companies, the total number of visits to exhibitions continued to rise, topping 5.2 million in 2006.  Overall visits from outside Hong Kong rose more than 600,000 in 2006, with more than 210,000 from the Asia-Pacific region (a 43 per cent increase on the previous year), over 160,000 from Mainland China (a 24 per cent increase) and over 220,000 from the rest of the world (a 20 per cent increase).

HACTL
Cathay Cargo
United

Extraordinary growth pushes HK MICE totals to new highs

MICEBTN archive stories issue 28
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
HONG Kong’s exhibition industry enjoyed extraordinary business growth in 2006, according to a new report. The annual exhibition survey, produced by the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA), showed impressive growth in net space occupied by exhibition stands, in the number of exhibitions and visits. 

More importantly, said a spokesperson, the survey results reaffirm the potential of further expansion and diversification of Hong Kong’s wide-ranging exhibition portfolio and the continuous growth of established events.

Key findings in the survey include: Net exhibition metrage jumped by 50 per cent, the highest rate since 1997 while total exhibition stand rental revenues rose to HK$2.6 billion (US$332.4 million).  The total number of exhibitions occupying more than 1819 sqm in gross exhibition area jumped to 92 from 66 in 2005, an almost 40 per cent increase year-on-year.  Equally, the number of trade exhibitions rose to 65 from 40 representing a substantial 62.5 per cent increase on the previous year. 

The robust growth in net exhibition metrage and number of exhibitions was attributed to the first full year of operation of AsiaWorld-Expo offering additional 70,000 square metres in 2006 for new exhibitions as well as expanding and new exhibitions hosted at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

The number of exhibiting companies grew to almost 62,000, near 50 per cent increase on the previous year.  The driving force came from mainland Chinese exhibitors, up by 139 per cent in 2006, and a clear indication that despite many similar exhibitions in mainland China, companies still prefer Hong Kong’s quality shows, facilities and visitor profile.  Exhibiting companies also increased from Hong Kong (by 25 per cent), from the Asia-Pacific region ( more than 50 per cent), and the rest of the world (by 11 per cent).

Matching the growth of exhibiting companies, the total number of visits to exhibitions continued to rise, topping 5.2 million in 2006.  Overall visits from outside Hong Kong rose more than 600,000 in 2006, with more than 210,000 from the Asia-Pacific region (a 43 per cent increase on the previous year), over 160,000 from Mainland China (a 24 per cent increase) and over 220,000 from the rest of the world (a 20 per cent increase).

HACTL
Cathay Cargo
HACTL
Cathay Cargo