Unease at Plans for Hong Kong Fair 2009

The dual location Hong Kong Show was never going to be an easy sell. While the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) throngs with traffic, the show’s other location, AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) near the airport, is much quieter, with many attendees bypassing the ‘secondary’ location altogether.

At last year’s September show, a number of exhibitors remarked that they were biding their time out at the airport until they got a spot in the main show. Other companies had booths in both locations, although many simply used their airport stall to direct buyers to their location at the main show. While the situation remains the same this year, from 2009, everything is about to change, leaving some exhibitors very angry indeed.

Noting the disparate sales in the two arenas, show management, CMP Asia Ltd, have decided that from next year, the show will be divided according to ‘product sectorisation’. In essence, this means that finished jewelry will be showcased at the HKCEC while the AWE will display raw materials such as machinery, pearls, gemstones and diamonds.

The new arrangement has, understandably, left many unhappy. There is some talk of those who feel that they are being relegated to the AWE boycotting the event altogether. Others feel that it will take only one try of the new format for show organizers to realize what they believe to be a huge mistake.    

The show organizers, however, say that the new plan is devised to concentrate similar sectors of products in the same value to “enable buyers to source the products they seek efficiently, while exhibitors can meet their target buyers intensively. Both venues will consequently be equally successful for their participants and visitors, and will posses the same importance.” Exhibitors, meanwhile, remain unconvinced.

This year, more than 2,600 exhibitors from 44 countries are participating in the fair. There are 20 country pavilions including Belgium, Thailand, Italy and Israel. The show continues until September 21.