Hong Kong trade show exhibitor and visitor numbers grew last year, despite protestors occupying the city’s business district during peak season, according to new research.
The Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) surveyed organisers of 101 trade shows with net floor space larger than 2,000sqm.
“In 2014, exhibiting company numbers, visitor numbers, and rental revenue generated from exhibitors were all positive, especially for exhibiting companies and visitors from outside Hong Kong,” said HKECIA chairman Javed Khan. “This is an excellent testimony of the trust that is placed in our city’s capabilities in a time of global economic uncertainty.”
Figures show exhibitor numbers grew 6.5 per cent year-on-year to 66,164, while attendance rose 5.8 per cent to 1.95 million visitors. International and Asia Pacific visitors increased almost 10 per cent for the same period.
The results also revealed an 18 per cent spike in exhibitors from the Asia Pacific region, including Australia and New Zealand.
The association said the positive results came despite Occupy Central protestors enveloping one of the city’s main expo venues during October and November.
“The strong growth we have seen in regional and international numbers demonstrates the confidence that overseas suppliers and buyers have in the trade platforms provided by Hong Kong,” Khan added.
The only measure to fall slightly was net exhibition space, which dropped 3.2 per cent year-on-year to 879,618sqm. The association attributed the dip, which pushed up average stand rental up 1.8 per cent, to exhibitors attempting to maximise space.
