Speech by FS at UFI Global Congress 2025 (English only) (with photos/video)
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Hugh (President of UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry), Mr Hugh Jones), Chris (Chief Executive Officer of UFI, Mr Chris Skeith), Peter (Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Dr Peter Lam), Fred (Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Fred Lam), Simon (Chairman of AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited, Mr Simon Li), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is a pleasure to join the opening ceremony of the 92nd UFI Global Congress. This year marks the 100th anniversary of UFI. My heartiest congratulations to you on this momentous occasion.
For a century, UFI has been the definite leader in the global exhibition industry. Your commitment to high professional standards and international partnership has elevated the global recognition of the exhibition industry and made it a vital driver of global trade and investment.
This congress brings together 600 participants from some 50 economies. For those who are coming from afar, a very warm welcome to Hong Kong.
At its core, exhibitions are about forging business connections and promoting trade in products and services. Your choice of the AWE (AsiaWorld-Expo) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) as the congress venue speaks volumes about your focus on connectivity. HKIA is the gateway to the Chinese Mainland, the broader Asian region and beyond, with over 1 100 flights to over 200 destinations every day.
Indeed, Hong Kong’s role has always been a “super connector”. Under the “one country, two systems” framework, we enjoy convenient and sometimes priority access to the Chinese Mainland market, while maintaining the characteristics that define our success as an international trade, business and financial hub: a common law legal system; rule of law; free port status allowing free flow of goods, capital, information and people; and alignment with the best international standards and practices. We are proud to be recognised as the world’s freest economy and one of the top three international financial centres.
One of Hong Kong’s major advantages for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) events is the easy accessibility by Mainland and international visitors. And the number of visitors has been rising after the pandemic. In the first 10 months of this year, we welcomed more than 41 million visitors, a 12 per cent increase year-on-year. Last year, the AWE and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre together hosted more than 350 events, drawing over 9 million participants. This year, the performance of the MICE sector would be even more optimistic.
MICE events in Hong Kong are remarkable not only in scale, but also in their diversity and impact. Take, for example, the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit held earlier this month. It is a gathering of the world’s most influential bankers, fund managers and investors. Of the 300 participants, about half were from overseas, with 100 of them being chairmen or CEOs of global financial institutions. Or consider the Wine & Spirits Fair or the electronics show, where we proudly showcase a wide range of the finest and most trendy products from around the globe. The jewelry trade show here is also the world’s largest.
We often strategically programme major MICE events with signature sports and cultural activities, creating a continuous stream of excitement for participants and visitors. We also integrate these events with Hong Kong’s diverse tourism offerings - from pop concerts and horse racing to fine dining and cultural explorations. Our goal is to enrich visitors’ itineraries and experiences in Hong Kong, so that they would like to stay longer, discover more and return more often.
We are committed to building long-term partnerships, and many signature events have become permanent fixtures on Hong Kong’s calendar. Art Basel, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens and LIV Golf are just a few prominent examples.
We are now expanding our capacity to host world-class exhibitions. The AWE is undergoing a major expansion, adding over 33 000 square metres of space by 2028. Meanwhile, the Government is working to expand the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to add more exhibition space. These investments reflect our strong commitment and confidence in the future of the exhibition industry in Hong Kong.
Ladies and gentlemen, the evolving landscape of the exhibition industry is creating new and unprecedented opportunities. Digital innovation and hybrid formats are extending the reach of events, enabling organisers to connect global audiences while enriching the immersive, face-to-face experiences that make exhibitions irreplaceable. These will enable organisers to maximise reach and engagement across platforms, thus creating new revenue streams.
At the same time, the growing global focus on environmental stewardship is driving innovation in venue design, operational efficiency and supply chain management. Organisers are encouraged to turn sustainability from a regulatory requirement into business opportunities and competitive advantages.
Over the next few days, I trust you will enjoy the rich exchanges of ideas and insights this Congress offers. Connect with peers from different regions, forge collaboration and partnerships.
While you’re here, I invite you to explore all that Hong Kong has to offer: a rich calendar of cultural and sporting events, a breathtaking geopark, country parks, hiking trails, and world-renowned dining and entertainment. We are home to the world’s best hotel and best bar - and, if I might add, we don’t tax on wine!
Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you a most successful and inspiring Congress, and a memorable stay in Hong Kong. Thank you.
Ends/Thursday, November 20, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:40
Issued at HKT 11:40
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