Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
» Hong Kong, Guang Dong

香港会议展览中心 形如向天空展翅飞翔的巨鸟

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) opened in November 1988, after which Hong Kong's exhibition industry experienced a period of rapid growth enabling Hong Kong to establish its position as Asia's trade fair capital and a premier international convention and meeting location.

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 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 organizing events at the HKCEC as a convenient and cost-effective way to source or sell in the region.

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the most important exhibition and convention venue in the territory, was the site of the 1997 handover ceremony of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China.

Construction

The new wing of the center has a bird-like design, to give the impression that the building is about to take flight. Its harbor-facing glass curtain wall is the largest in the world and the promenade surrounding the new wing offers impeccable views over Central, Tsim Sha Tsui and Victoria Harbour in between.

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, and 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.

During the WTO conference

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.

  Weather

  1. How is the weather like in Hong Kong?
  2. When is the most popular time to visit Hong Kong?

  Shopping

  1. When is the best time to shop in Hong Kong?
  2. Top ten tips for shopping in Hong Kong

  Other Hints

  1. What I need to know about Visa and Passports?
  2. Is it easy for me to exchange money here?
  3. How to tip in Hong Kong?
  4. Information Directory Desk
  5. Useful Numbers
  • How is the weather like in Hong Kong?

    Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate, being temperate for nearly half the year, with cool, dry winters and hot, humid summers. March and April are very pleasant.

    May to August is hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms, and the highest temperatures often exceed 31C. Winter lasts from January to March with January and February more cloudy, when occasional cold fronts followed by dry northerly winds.


  • When is the most popular time to visit Hong Kong?

    Hong Kong is an all-year-round destination. The most popular time to visit is from the middle of September to the end of February, when the weather is cooler.


  • When is the best time to shop in Hong Kong?

    Summer is possibly the best time to shop in Hong Kong as incredible deals are offered during the annual Hong Kong Shopping Festival. The massive sales draw shoppers from all over Asia every year.


  • Top ten tips for shopping in Hong Kong

    1 Compare Prices

    Check the price of the item you want to buy in your home country first. When arriving in Hong Kong you should check out some of the larger department stores or reputable dealers for your product. It's better for you to start bargaining when you know how much the goods cost.

    2 Understand the Exchange Rate

    This may sound simple, but many tourists get ripped-off here is because they don't know the exchange rate - make sure you do.

    3 Know the Product

    Know exactly what you want to buy.

    4 Choose Your Shop Carefully

    The Hong Kong Tourism Board has a Quality Control Scheme that vets shops on pricing, honesty and a host of other attributes - these shops generally don't offer bargains but are reputable. Unless you are confident of price and product, you should also avoid shops that don't clearly display the price of an item.

    5 Shop Around

    If you're determined to go bargain hunting, shop around. Hong Kong salespeople are notoriously aggressive when negotiating, however the ball is in your court, if you don't like the salesperson or the price quoted is to high, move on to the next store.

    6 Check the Product

    Hong Kong shops have an undeserved reputation for using switch and bait tactics, this involves showing you one product but placing an inferior item in the box. This practice is not widespread, nevertheless you need to make sure what you think you're buying is what you leave the store with.

    7 Compatibility

    Ensure compatibility. Check the voltage and broadcast of any item you want to buy.

    8 Warranty

    Make sure the product has an international warranty. This can be a problem with 'Parallel Imports', these products are usually brought into Hong Kong by someone other than the official importer, and are often electronic items. Although cheap, their warranty is usually void.

    9 Beware of Bootlegs

    There are plenty of bootleg and illegal products on Hong Kong's streets, which police usually turn a blind eye to, however if you are found with these at customs, they are subject to confiscation and you possibly to conviction.

    10 Last Call

    If you're in dispute, call the Consumer Council Hotline on 2929 2222 for assistance, you can also approach uniformed hawker police who patrol markets.


  • What I need to know about Visa and Passports?

    A visa is needed to enter Hong Kong from other countries. However, provisos of stay depend on the nationality, and some nationalities are allowed to come in as visa-free tourists for the period of one month. Among them are the US and EC nationals. The previous one year unconditional visa on arrival with work permit has been changed after the handover to a six month tourist visa on arrival.

    Tourists who enter with a visitor's permit are not permitted to work. Those who are taking up employment in Hong Kong must obtain an advanced work permit from the Immigration Department. Usually, the company of hire will assist with the necessary paperwork.

    When traveling around the country, be sure to carry along your passport or a photograph identity, just in case. The Immigration Department is strict with its regulations on illegal outsiders, so - to be on the safe side - the passport would come in handy.


  • Is it easy for me to exchange money here?

    Currency is Hong Kong Dollar. As the old saying goes, 'more banks than rice stalls in Hong Kong': moneychangers are everywhere. Please check the exchange rate and the service fee.

    Customers with AMEX cards can draw Hong Kong Currency through ATMs directly and those with VISA and Master cards can draw local currency from ATMs marked for Visa or MasterCard electronic currency.


  • How to tip in Hong Kong?

    Some hotels and restaurants levy a 10% service charge while customers may add other 5% tip. For restaurants that don't levy a service charge, a 10% tip is expected. Tip taxi drivers, bellboys, and restroom attendants.


  • Information Directory Desk

    • 1018 English

    • 1083 Cantonese

    • 1088 Mandarin Chinese

    • 1013 International directory



  • Useful Numbers

    • Complaint hotline (including taxi complaint): 2527 7177

    • Tourist Hotline of Hong Kong Tourism Board: 2508 1234

    • The Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: 2824 6111

    • Postal Directory Hotline: 2921 2222


Numerous functions are held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre each year, including exhibitions, conventions/meetings, banquets and other special events. The centre has won a number of awards, including "Best Convention and Exhibition Centre in Asia Pacific" in the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) Asia Pacific annual survey by organizers of exhibitions and conferences.



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