Coordinates: 22°17′1.18″N 114°10′22.25″E / 22.2836611°N 114.1728472°E
| Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre | |||||||||||
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| Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 香港會議展覽中心 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 香港会议展览中心 | ||||||||||
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The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) is one of the two major convention and exhibition venues in Hong Kong, along with AsiaWorld-Expo. It is located in Wan Chai North, Hong Kong Island. Built along the Victoria Harbour, it is linked by covered walkways to nearby hotels and commercial buildings. The venue was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, in association with Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd. Larry Oltmanns led the design, who is a former Design Partner with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP.
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is not to be confused with the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre, which is another exhibition venue in Wan Chai North.
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Construction
The original building was built on reclaimed land off Gloucester Road in 1988. The glass curtain was the world's largest at the time, overlooking the Victoria Harbour on three sides.
The second phase of the centre, located on an artificial island, was constructed from 1994 to 1997, and features a bird-like rooftop (also referred to as a turtle by some critics). The project took only 48 months from reclamation to completion, which is extremely fast for a building project of this size. The main constructor of the extension was a joint venture named Hip Hing Construction Co Ltd Dragages et Travaux Publics. Originally, Phase Two was connected to Phase One with an atrium link (a sky bridge), and to Convention Road with two road bridges, but now the two phases are connected by an expanded exhibition hall.[1]
The complex's construction was financed by New World Development, with the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong and Harbour View Apartments on top of it.
With the growing demand of exhibition space from HKCEC’s current and potential new clients, HKCEC’s second expansion began in July 2006. Upon completion in 2009, the HK$1.4 billion expansion project will add 19,400 sqm to the HKCEC, bringing the total exhibition space to nearly 83,000 sqm and total rentable function space over 92,000 sqm.
Management
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML), a wholly owned subsidiary of NWS Holdings Ltd (新創建集團有公司), is contracted by the HKTDC for the day-to-day management and operation of the HKCEC. Among its specific responsibilities, HML oversees administration, marketing, booking, scheduling, event co-ordination, maintenance, security and food and beverage operations. The latter including banqueting, and managing the Centre’s restaurants.The Managing Director of the company is Cliff Wallace.
With a staff team of 850, HML’s mission is to position the HKCEC as the best exhibition and convention centre in Asia; internationally renowned for its innovative and creative operating techniques in hosting the world’s greatest events.
There have been comments that the management of HKCEC provided preferential treatment to some client with regards to booking dates at the HKCEC. Cliff Wallace rebutted this allegations in a meeting with the Legislative Councilors in the 2003-2004 session. He reiterated during the meeting that his company did not provide preferential treatment, that dates were offered on a first-come-first-served basis and standard industry practices were exercised with regards to booking and scheduling at the HKCEC as required by the operating agreement with HKTDC.[2]
Convention facilities statistics
- 6 exhibition halls: 53,292 m²
- 2 convention halls: 5,699 m²; total seating for 6,100
- 2 theatres: 800 m²; total seating for 1,000
- 52 meeting rooms: 6,004 m²
- Pre-function areas: 8,000 m²
- 7 restaurants: total seating for 1,870
- Business centre: 150 m²
- Carpark spaces parking: for 1,300 cars and 50 vans
- Total available rental space: 92,061 m²
- Capacity: 140,000 visitors per day
Booking Status
From its opening in 1988 through to 30 June 2008, the HKCEC hosted 36,110 events, an average of five events per day, with total attendance over 55 million. The annual attendance of the HKCEC has now reached 4.6 million including exhibitors and delegates along with top buyers and decision makers from more than 150 countries and regions from around the world.
In fiscal year 2007-08 (1 July 2007 – 30 June 2008), a total of 1,345 events were held at the HKCEC with following breakdown: •109 exhibitions were held, of which 97 were classified as major exhibitions each utilising over 1,819 Sqm of gross floor area. Of these 97 major exhibitions, 85 were recurrent and 10 were new exhibitions; •39 international conferences or conventions were held; •84 entertainment and special events were staged, including 34 film shows and 26 concerts; •389 banquets were hosted; •724 other events were held, including corporate events, media conferences, seminars, and smaller meetings; and •618 events each generated revenues of HK$75,000 or above.
With China’s entry into the WTO, Hong Kong is playing an increasingly important role in helping local and foreign investors tap into the fast-growing China market. Hong Kong is serving effectively as a regional event hub which attracts significant volume of quality delegates and trade show participants from China, as well as from other parts of the world, to attend its events.
According to the annual exhibition survey 2007 conducted by the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA), the number of exhibitors from Mainland China jumped by 13% compared with 2006, indicating these companies still prefer Hong Kong to Mainland China. The number of visits from Mainland China grew significantly by 48% to over 246,000 in 2007. The total number of visits by local and overseas visitors to Hong Kong exhibitions continued to rise, topping 5.7 million in 2007.
Functions held at the site
Numerous functions are held at the HKCEC each year, including exhibitions, conventions/meetings, banquets and other special events.
The centre hosts more than 45 international trade fairs for buyers from more than 100 countries each year, including the world's largest leather fair and watch and clock fair. The regular international fairs for giftware, toys, fashion, jewellery, electronics and optical products are Asia's largest.
The HKCEC also includes provisions for video-conferencing, teleconferencing, satellite links, simultaneous interpretation in up to eight languages, audio-visual equipment, foyer registration space, and event signage.
It also served as the site of the Hong Kong handover ceremony, which signified the end of British colonial rule.
The Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference took place at the HKCEC from 13-18 December 2005. The NGO Centre was located at "Phase I" of the centre. This is the first time a WTO Ministerial Conference and the NGO Centre was located under the same roof as the Conference proceedings. (See also: the NGO section of the Host Government's website )
Entertainment Event Highlights
In addition to being a world-class venue for exhibitions and conventions, the HKCEC is also ideal for hosting entertainment events of all kinds: ice shows, carnivals, concerts, film premieres, ballet performances, basketball and tennis tournaments and many other sports activities.
•Concerts by top international performers: Harry Connick (2008), James Blunt (2008), George Benson and AL Jarreau (2008), Diana Krall (2008), The Brothers Four (2008), Aura Kasih (Indonesia) (2008), Cliff Richard (2007), Roger Waters (2007), Elaine Paige (2007), Nobo Live (2007), Kenny G (2006), Andy Williams (2006), Michael Flatley (2006), Lang Lang (2006), Luciano Pavarotti (2005 & 2001), Sting (2005), K.D. Lang (2005), Norah Jones (2005), Boney M (2005), R.E.M. (2005), Avril Lavigne (2005), Diana Krall (2005), Robin Gibb (2005), Engelbert Humperdinck (2005 & 2002), The Tears (2005), Andrea Bocelli (2004), Sarah Brightman (2004), Elton John (2004 & 2001), David Bowie (2004), Whitney Huston (2004), Laura Fygi (2004), Dionne Warwick (2004), Linkin Park (2004), Kitaro (2004), Alicia Keys (2004), The Seekers (2004), Bond (2004), Love Psychedelico (2004), The Stylistics (2004), Jose Feliciano (2003), Ronan Keating (2003), Ibrahim Ferrer (2003), Air Supply (2002), Vanessa Mae (2002), Jamiroquai (2002), Peter, Paul & Mary (2001), Olivia Newton John (2000) and Julio Iglesias (1999)
•Performances: Top Gear Live (2009), Burn the Floor (2007), Disney on Ice (2004, 2003, 2001 and 1999), “Shaolin – Wheel of Life”, for the first time the live Kung-fu performance by Buddhist Monks from China’s renowned Shaolin Temple in Hong Kong (2002), “Spectaculum” featured acrobats, gymnasts, singers and dancers with spectacular costumes and an original musical score (2002), Major theatrical production “Swan Lake” by the English National Ballet - the first performance with arena seating outside UK (1999)
•Fashion Shows: Yves Saint Laurent Fall Winter 2008 Fashion Show (2008), Marc Jacobs Fashion Show (2008), Gucci Fashion Show and Party (2008, 2007 & 2005), Chanel Fashion Show (2006 & 2001)
•Sports Events: NBA Celebrity Challenge (2005), the 3rd Hong Kong International Wushu Festival (2005), Harlem Globetrotters with a Space (2004), Michael Jordan Asia Tour 2004 – Jordan Cup (2004), FIM Indoor Trial World Championship Hong Kong Grand Prix (2003), Euro-Asia Snooker Masters Challenge (2003), The Cathay Pacific Champions ATF Tennis Tournament - the first ever indoor tennis tournament in Hong Kong featuring the world’s greatest tennis champions, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Mats Wilander and so on in the Grand Hall (2000 & 1999)
•Film Shows: “My Blueberry Nights” (2008), “Harry Potter” (2007, 2004, 2002 & 2001), “Rush Hour 3” (2007), “Mission: Impossible” (2006 & 2000), “Superman Return” (2006), “Star War Episode III” (2005), “Batman Begins” (2005), “Spiderman 2” (2004), Hello, Xiao Ping (2004), “The Madallion” (2003), “Pearl Harbour” (2001), “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000) and “Anna and the King” (1999)
•Others: Miss Hong Kong Pageant (2008), Great Wall of Steel: Exhibitions of the Achievement of New China’s National Defense and Army Building (2008), Treasure of Tibet (2005 & 2001), Celebration of Buddha’s Birthday Reverence and Blessing Ceremony of Buddha’s Finger Relic attracted few hundred thousands visitors (2005 & 2004), Miss Chinese Cosmos Pageant (2004)
Awards
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre has won many awards. It was also voted “Best Convention and Exhibition Centre in Asia Pacific” in the 2008, 2007 and 2005 Industry Surveys, “Best Convention Centre in Asia Pacific” in the 2006 Industry Survey, “Best Exhibition Centre in Asia” in the 2002 Industry Survey and “Asia Pacific’s Top Exhibition Centre” in the 2001 Industry Survey by the readers, mainly key exhibition organisers and industry leaders, of CEI Asia Pacific magazine.
2008
•Won the Champion of Big Units Cuts Award at the 2008 Power Smart Contest organised by Friends of the Earth. •Awarded Wastewi$e Label (Class of Excellence), from 1 October 2008 to 30 September 2009, by the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE). •HKCEC chef Sam Chui joined the Hong Kong Culinary Olympics Team and won 1 Gold and 3 Silver medals in the IKA World Culinary Olympics Erfurt 2008, organised by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) and the German Chefs Association. •HKCEC chef Jean Ho won a Gold Prize in the Tabasco Hot Chef Challenge. •HKCEC chefs won Champion, 1st runner up and Award of Merit at the Norwegian Seafood Young Challenge organised by Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC) and Hong Kong Chef Association (HKCA). •HKCEC chef Jean Ho joined the Hong Kong Ladies Gourmet Team and won a Gold medal in the Food & Hotel Asia Gourmet Challenge 2008 (FHA 2008).
2007
•HKCEC Western Kitchen Team won the Champion in the Western Cuisine Section of the California Strawberry Recipe Contest organised by the California Strawberry Commission in 2007. •HKCEC chefs won 3 Gold, 6 Silver and 4 Bronze medals in the Hong Kong International Culinary Classic 2007, organised by the Hong Kong Chefs Association and Hong Kong Exhibition Services Limited.
2006
•Won “Best Convention & Exhibition Centre” in 17th TTG Travel Awards 2006 in recognition of HKCEC’s outstanding performance in the Asia Pacific travel industry for the second consecutive year. •Awarded “Best Convention & Exhibition Centre” at TravelWeeklyChina 2006. •Golden Bauhinia Cantonese Restaurant Sous Chef Lui Yau Wing won Gold with Distinction Award in ‘Sweet & Sour Dish Category’ and ‘Steamed Dish Category’ in the Best of the Best Culinary Awards 2006 organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. •HKCEC Catering Service Team won the “Best Table Setup” at 2006 MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge.
2005
•Golden Bauhinia Cantonese Restaurant Sous Chef Lui Yau Wing scooped Gold with Distinction Award in 'Deep-fried Dish Category’ in the Best of the Best Culinary Awards 2005 organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. •Golden Bauhinia Cantonese Restaurant Chef Lau Yuk Kei and Chef Leung Kwok Yan won Gold Award in 'Chinese World Fusion Dish Category’ in the Best of the Best Culinary Awards 2005 organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. •HKCEC chefs won 11 awards including Gold Awards in the Gourmet Team Challenge, the Western Cuisine Category for Appetizers and Display and Main Courses Display in the Hong Kong International Culinary Classic 2005 organised by the Hong Kong Chefs Association and Hong Kong Exhibition Services Limited.
2004
•Voted “Asia’s Leading Conference Centre” for the third consecutive year at the 11th World Travel Awards 2004 by tens of thousands travel agents from around the world. •Won The CIM Accolade Award 2004, voted by readers of the Australian trade magazine Convention & Incentive Marketing.
2002
•Voted “Best Overseas Conference Centre, Meetings Category” for the ninth consecutive year in the 2002 Meetings and Incentive Travel Industry Award, by readers of the leading UK trade magazine Meetings & Incentive Travel. •Golden Bauhinia Cantonese Restaurant won Gold Award in ‘Lobster Category’ and ‘Bean Curd Category’ in the Best of the Best Culinary Awards 2002 organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
2001
•Won the Productivity Award for Services 2001 organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council. •Golden Bauhinia Cantonese Restaurant won Gold with Distinction Award in ‘Poultry Category’ and ‘Dim Sum Category’ in the Best of the Best Culinary Awards 2001 organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. •Golden Bauhinia Cantonese Restaurant won Gold Award in ‘Seafood Category (Crab)’ in the Best of the Best Culinary Awards 2001 organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
2000
•Voted “Best Convention and Exhibition Centre” for the second consecutive year by Incentive & Meetings Asia in the IMA Asia Pacific MICE Awards 2000. •Selected among the top three (3) of 10 Engineering Wonders in Hong Kong in 2000, in a public election organised by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers in collaboration with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Hong Kong Science Museum.
1999
•Voted “one of the world's ten best international convention and exhibition centres” for the second consecutive year in Global Achievement Award 1999, by USA readers of Beyond Borders Magazine. •Voted “Best Convention Centre” in the 1999 M&C Gold Awards by Meetings & Conventions Asia/Pacific. •Voted “one of the ten best architectural structures in Hong Kong” in 1999, in a competition jointly organised by the Radio Television Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Institute of Architects and the Hong Kong Economic Times.
1998
•Voted “Best Convention/Exhibition Centre” in the 1998 M&C Gold Service Awards by Meetings & Conventions Asia/Pacific. •Voted “Best Convention and Exhibition Centre” by travel professionals world-wide in the 1998 Travel Awards, organised by Miller Freeman Pte Ltd. •Won a “Standard of Excellence WebAwards 1998” for the HKCEC website at the prestigious US Web Marketing Association WebAwards.
1997
•Won The CIM Accolade Award 1997, voted by readers of the Australian trade magazine Convention & Incentive Marketing.
Role in Hong Kong's economy
With its strategic location near the city's financial heart and its comprehensive facilities, the HKCEC has become one of Hong Kong's competitive assets. It raises the city's profile by providing a world-class venue for hosting major international trade fairs and conferences.
In recent years, the HKCEC has attracted an increasing number of local, mainland and overseas companies to market their products, services and ideas to the world on its premises. Buyers and sellers meet here and a large number of business transactions are made during these fairs, such as the Hong Kong International Film and TV market and the Hong Kong Food expo. They regard organising events at the HKCEC as a convenient and cost-effective way to source or sell in the region.
Transport
The Star Ferry, a Hong Kong ferry service, operates 2 routes from the HKCEC across the Victoria Harbour:
- HKCEC, Wan Chai - Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
- HKCEC, Wan Chai - Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom
The fare is HK$2.2 for adults, and HK$1.3 for children.
Currently, the closest MTR metro station serving the HKCEC is Wan Chai Station (exit C) on the Island Line. The proposed North Island Link, an extension of the MTR's Tung Chung Line, will have a station at HKCEC.
In addition, the HKCEC is served by bus routes number 960, 961, 40, 40M , 8 & 2A.
In popular culture
- During the Chinese campaign of the video game Command & Conquer: Generals, the player is ordered to destroy the HKCEC with military force after it falls under the control of a fictional terrorist group. The game series was banned in China.[1]
- It is also the setting for the grand finale in both New Police Story starring Jackie Chan, and Gen-X Cops.
See also
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre |
- HKCEC Phase 3 Structure Sequence animation and Phase 3 Development Architectural animation
- The HKCEC Official website
- Satellite view of the site
- MyTravelGuide.com: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
- AIA Chicago:Distinguished Building Award: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Extension
- SOM Project Webpage
- Wong & Ouyang Project Webpage
| Preceded by Royal Albert Hall |
Miss World Venues 1989 |
Succeeded by London Palladium |
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