Hong Kong’s competitive advantage as a centre for international exhibitions

1. Hong Kong’s competitive advantage as a centre for international exhibitions Paul Woodward Principal, Business Strategies Group Regional Manager, UFI Asia/Pacific Office 2nd February 2005 © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

2. Development of exhibitions in Hong Kong: milestones • Pre-1980: occasional Hong Kong products expos on temporary sites • Early-1980s: TDC and a few private entrepreneurs start fairs on temporary sites • 1983: China Resources opens Hong Kong Exhibition Centre • 1987: HKCEC Phase 1 opens – big expansion of industry • 1997: HKCEC Phase 2 opens – another big expansion © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

3. Recent history: number of fairs static… Source: HKECIA/BSG © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

4. …but getting bigger Source: HKECIA/BSG © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

5. Why? • Booming Chinese economy • Pearl River Delta’s emergence as most important centre of manufacturing for consumer products • Growing buying power of Chinese consumers © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

6. Special nature of Hong Kong fairs • The typical China event is primarily focused on domestic business • Obvious exceptions like the Canton Fair are unusual • The typical event in Europe is regional • A Hong Kong fair has a very different visitor profile • …and visitors are the absolute key to understanding how trade fairs work © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

7. Basic framework for China fair Traditional focus of foreign media companies Area of key interest for domestic PRC exhibitors © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

8. For some fairs, domestic HK audience is also important Basic framework for HK fair © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

9. Big US & European fairs are primarily domestic Major fairs in China will look like this © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

10. Gift fairs: source of buyers Overseas countries 138 185 110 © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

11. Import/ Export Cos. Primary Distributors Local Distributors Manufacturers Retailers Consumers Reviewing source of buyers Core buyer group, Hong Kong Core buyer group, German fair © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

12. Import/ Export Cos. Primary Distributors Local Distributors Manufacturers Retailers Consumers Gift/consumer goods fairs: visitor profile Hong Kong Ambiente © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

13. Key emerging trends • Huge surge in mainland China participation in Hong Kong fairs • Exhibitors looking to take 1st steps into international markets • Buyers looking for quality and regional/international suppliers • Emergence of hybrid exhibition/ entertainment concepts • Capitalising on the booming mainland China tourism business • Hong Kong’s position as the entertainment capital for China will be enhanced with Disneyland • Macau developments also important © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

14. China buyers © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

15. China exhibitors © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

16. Growing importance of public events © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

17. Where the growth will come from © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

18. To fill these venues © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

19. UFI in Asia • UFI established in Europe in 1925 • Office opened in Hong Kong in January 2004 • 63 members in Asia, up 50% in one year • Hong Kong + China = >30 members • Representing the industry world-wide at the highest level • UFI Approved Events are recognised as high quality. • Asia/Pacific Chapter Chairman: Chen Ruowei from Beijing © Business Strategies Group Ltd. 2005

20. Thank you. paul@bsgasia.com asia@ufi.org