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read moreThe Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) has placed an urgent call to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (HKSAR) government requesting immediate financial assistance to support the local convention and exhibition industry players struggling to survive over the COVID-19 storm and zero international trade.
HKECIA presented the results of the latest member survey ‘Impact of COVID-19 to Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry 2021’ to Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and urged the authority to repurpose the fund of the Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme and to provide a roadmap of relaxing compulsory quarantine requirements for qualified business travellers; otherwise, 45% of industry players may close down in 12 months.
HK$620 million out of the HK$1,020 million Subsidy Scheme under the HKSAR Anti-epidemic Fund subsidises private organisers of exhibitions and international conventions held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo 100% of the venue rental till June 2022. However, organisers of international trade fairs and conferences were unable to recruit overseas exhibitors and buyers to participate in their events due to the travel restrictions and compulsory quarantine requirements. Subsequently, these event organisers cancelled their events, or postponed the events to 2022, and therefore have not benefited from the Subsidy Scheme. As of 30th June, 2021, the Subsidy Scheme provided a total subsidy of only around $97.38 million to 42 exhibitions.
Apart from immediate financial assistance, HKECIA asks the government to develop a road map of relaxing travel restrictions for business travellers so that organisers of international trade fairs can plan ahead the recruitment of exhibitors and buyers. The delay of such policy will result in losing Hong Kong’s advantages and major international events to other countries.
The HKECIA member Survey was conducted from 2nd to 13th August 2021 among 101 HKECIA members. 60 members have responded and completed the Survey, with 36% being event organisers and 64% non-organisers (including contractors, freight forwarders, travel agents, AV equipment suppliers, and design houses etc). Here are some of the key findings:
Business loss:
Severe impact of compulsory quarantine requirements
Respondents claim government’s assistance is insufficient
HKECIA Chairman Mr Stuart Bailey stated “The convention and exhibition industry, which contributed over HK$58 billion to Hong Kong’s economy in 2018, has been in deep water since February 2020 as no international event was able to be held in Hong Kong due to travel restrictions and preventive measures. Only small-scale consumer exhibitions resumed. The Subsidy Scheme, however, is only able to assist the convention and exhibition sector once it is practicable for events to resume, a point which trade fair organisers have yet to reach. We urge the government to repurpose the Subsidy Scheme and provide immediate and additional financial assistance for event-related service providers. Our industry also needs a roadmap to prepare for a strong revival.”
Image courtesy HKECIA
14th June 2021 - HKECIA welcomes appointment of two successive UFI presidents from Hong Kong
15th December 2020 - HKECIA welcomes support for expanding event space but urges government to provide relief for businesses affected by COVID-19
16th August 2021 - Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre successfully hosts five concurrent trade shows
28th May 2021 - Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre art fairs demonstrate strong demand for physical events
10th February 2021 - Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre’s first exhibition in 2021 reinforces value of face to face events
29th September 2020 - Hong Kong Government launches Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme
18th August 2020 - Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry highlights need for government support
29th June 2020 - Hong Kong Tourism Board hosts Global Online Forum on post COVID-19 travel
27th May 2020 - Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre successfully holds first event in wake of COVID-19 crisis
25th February 2020 - Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre welcomes Government exhibition subsidies
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