These are exciting times in Hong Kong’s MICE industry! In addition to the extension of the government’s existing subsidy scheme and the official launch of a fresh subsidy of HK$1.4 billion to support over 200 shows in the coming three years, AWE has also achieved some major new accomplishments.
 
As the leading venue from Hong Kong, AsiaWorld-Expo was named “Best Venue (Rest of World)” and “MICE Team of the Year” at the world-renowned C&IT Awards 2022 organised by UK-based magazine Conference & Incentive Travel. This honour is even more significant as AWE is the first venue in Asia to win at the distinguished C&IT Awards. In deciding the winners, a panel of MICE experts and industry veterans assessed all award entries based on outstanding displays of strategic business direction, best practises, and case studies.
 
AWE also won “Best Convention Centre - North Asia” for the second time in the M&C Asia Stella Awards 2022, adding to its previous achievement in 2019. The M&C Asia Stella Awards 2022 recognise excellence in the meetings industry, commending businesses that demonstrate outstanding MICE initiatives and efforts to drive the industry’s recovery from the global pandemic.
 
These honours are consistent with the HKSAR Government’s strategy to consolidate Hong Kong’s status as a premier venue for large-scale international convention and exhibition activities.
 
“In recent years, AWE completed a HK$600 million facility upgrade, and yet more enhanced conferencing facilities are expected to be launched in the future months,” stated Ms. Irene Chan, CEO of AsiaWorld-Expo. “Winning these two honours, as well as being the first in Asia to earn the title of ‘Best Venue’ at the C&IT Awards, validates our commitment to continual improvement.”

This large-scale shopping and entertainment festival is perfectly timed for the festive season. Featuring 383 booths, the event will offer a dazzling variety of Christmas shopping and food, together with six Instagrammable hotspots for great selfies. Simultaneously held under the same roof is the “Taiwan GO Festival”, with eight attractions and booth games on a Taiwan theme. A selection of Taiwanese souvenirs will also be available, offering visitors the chance to experience the pleasures of Taiwan right here in Hong Kong.

Riding on the success of International MotorXpo Hong Kong (IMXHK) 2021, the IMXHK 2022 will return for its second edition in December. The event is set to be a major platform connecting fans with the world’s best builders, brands, and designers under the theme of “Mobility+”. As a B2B cum B2C show, highlights of IMXHK 2022 will include car-culture promotions, education and motorsports, with lots to entice visitors of all ages and backgrounds, bringing them a brand-new exhibition experience.

Wiki Finance Expo World 2022 is the world’s largest finance expo for business and end-users. The event will bring together the industry’s top players and thought leaders as well as government and regional trade organisations, and officials from forex, banks, fintech companies, and blockchain and liquidity service providers.
 
This WikiExpo event at AWE is the seventh edition held in Asia. It will feature more than 100 booths and over 1,500 exhibitors. Over 100 renowned analysts and KOLs from around the world will also deliver in-depth yet insightful analysis and share their winning strategies with the audience.

The inaugural Hong Kong Fitness +Wellness Expo recently took place at AsiaWorld-Expo. Aspiring to become Hong Kong’s largest annual indoor event for fitness and wellness, the Expo featured five key zones – Fit District, Yoga Stage, HYROX Fitness Race, Lifestyle and Leisure Expo, and Gym Village – showcasing brands, products, and services to help Hongkongers embrace a healthier, fitter, and more balanced lifestyle.
 
The event also introduced Asia’s first HYROX: The World Series of Fitness Racing. Originally launched in Germany, HYROX has become the world’s largest fitness race, with events in 14 countries across the world. AWE is proud to have been the venue for its debut in Asia, putting Hong Kong on the map as the very first city in Asia to host a HYROX race.
 
Other highlights of this three-day mega event included an epic line-up of industry-leading instructors from all over the city, in particular Hong Kong’s celebrity yoga instructor and YouTuber Coffee Lam. The event was truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity for everyone to immerse themselves in a world of sports, health and fitness inspiration!

As the most influential B2B trade platform of its kind, this four-day event featured almost 1,000 exhibitors from across Asia, showcasing over 20,000 innovative and exceptional products in four specialised product categories: Consumer Electronics, Mobile Electronics, Smart Home, and Lifestyle x Fashion.
 
Despite social distancing measures and Hong Kong’s current “0+3” compulsory testing and medical surveillance policy for inbound travellers, the show successfully attracted many visitors from Mainland China and overseas, signifying an encouraging start to the resumption of global trade. To facilitate those who could not attend in person, the physical show also came with a virtual exhibition, which collectively attracted over 100,000 global buyers.

The Hong Kong Government’s latest Policy Address outlined its strategies to compete for enterprises and talent to further strengthen the city’s competitiveness. Held over two days, the Innovating Hong Kong – Global Talent Carnival 2022 attracted over 20,000 candidates applying both online and offline for more than 5,000 job vacancies in nearly 100 innovation and technology companies, including HSBC, SenseTime, Meituan, Manulife and many other leading industry players. The event integrated recruitment and forums, providing high-quality job opportunities for innovative and tech talents who are interested in developing their careers in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Unlike the usual live entertainment shows, the 903 AllStar Basketball Jam transformed AsiaWorld-Arena from a concert stage to a basketball court! This hotly-anticipated basketball throwdown competition featured prominent DJs and singers competing in a live display of strength and teamwork, challenging their flexibility, air-time, and prowess while 10,000 fans all cheered on their favourite players. Fans who arrived early could even join a virtual basketball game at EXPOtainment CUBE to show their athleticism and sporting spirit!
 
Thanks to AsiaWorld-Arena’s amazing flexibility and its innovative seating layout, the venue was able to host another major event less than 48 hours later, reconfiguring from a centre-field set-up to an end-stage concert. This seamless transformation was yet another showcase of the team’s immense skill and operational efficiency.

To put Hong Kong back on the road to normalcy, the Government is rolling out series of tactics to attract the return of international events. Under the “0+3” arrangement, quarantine has been removed and inbound travellers only need to undergo a three-day medical surveillance period. This has enabled the return of international artists, with more and more of them making time in their busy tour schedules for live performances in Hong Kong. World-famous K-pop groups BLACKPINK and Super Junior have already confirmed Hong Kong as a stop on their world tours, with their upcoming performances at AWE creating citywide excitement!
 
To help everyone get the most from upcoming events, AWE has proactively lined up special discounts on the Airport Express Line until 15 February 2023. These exclusive offers are available to everyone coming to AWE for all events, whether for business or leisure. Travelling to AWE is now even cheaper and more convenient!

The existing Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme (CEISS), which was originally due to expire on 31 December 2022, has been extended to end June 2023, offering continued support to organisers staging events in Hong Kong. Eligible organisers of exhibitions and international conventions (For conference: over 400 participants, at least 50% of whom must come from outside Hong Kong) will be entitled to a 100% venue rental subsidy.
 
Act now to secure your booking at AWE and take full advantage of the MICE industry’s bounce back!