Exhibition Industry

The 2012 Hong Kong Exhibition Survey, released by the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) in July this year, revealed that the exhibition industry continued to show innate robustness from 2011 to 2012. As global uncertainties continued to make their presence felt, however, there was an easing of the steady growth seen over the past few years. Overall performance still held steady year-on-year, with the mainland again demonstrating its huge potential in driving continuing local growth.

The survey showed that involvement from both Chinese and international companies in the Hong Kong industry had risen on the previous year. Growth among international firms levelled off to a modest 3.7 per cent in 2011-12, versus a leap of 17.9 per cent from 2010-11. Investment in stand rental held steady. Growth among Chinese firms also levelled off to 2 per cent, but stand rental investment jumped 9.1 per cent.

HKECIA chairman Daniel Cheung says that given the difficulties many other industries had faced during these years, it was encouraging that the exhibition industry had held its ground. He says that when looking at the exhibitions held in 2013, and those lined up, it is clear there is strong momentum for further growth. Overall, he is optimistic about the direction in which the industry is heading.