The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) has solidified its role as a premier global venue, hosting 786 events during the 2025–2026 financial year, which included 128 exhibitions, 81 international and local conferences, and numerous corporate meetings, banquets, and entertainment events. The year was distinguished by 25 new conferences and exhibitions, several making their Hong Kong or Asian debuts, and drew a total attendance exceeding 7.7 million, according to a press release distributed via Media OutReach Newswire.
Ms Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML), attributed this success to Hong Kong's unique position as a gateway between the Chinese Mainland and the world. She noted that HML strategically aligned its business development around four key sectors—Medical, Innovation and Technology, Finance, and Education—to secure landmark debuts. "We are thrilled that these inaugural events were met with resounding success and have already confirmed their return to the HKCEC next year," she said. "Looking forward, we will continue to provide a world-class platform that empowers Mainland enterprises to go global while attracting international investment, creating a powerful engine for Hong Kong's long-term economic growth."
Among the standout debuts was the inaugural Hong Kong Comic Con 2026, which demonstrated the appeal of launching major international intellectual properties in the city and generated substantial economic value and business opportunities. The event's organisers have already confirmed its return to the HKCEC in 2027. The venue also hosted multiple international medical conferences for the first time, including the 9th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery, which attracted over 3,000 global participants, and the 15th China Chest Pain Centers Congress, marking the first time this national medical association convention was held in Hong Kong. These events underscore Hong Kong's growing stature as an international health and medical innovation hub and highlight the HKCEC's role as a two-way platform for showcasing national healthcare standards and supporting Mainland enterprises' global expansion.
Asia's flagship events have also reaffirmed their commitment to Hong Kong. Art Basel Hong Kong, held annually at the HKCEC since 2013, has reached an agreement with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to designate Hong Kong as its sole Asian venue for the next four years. Meanwhile, Vinexpo Asia, a premier wine and spirits trade event since 1998, is ending its rotation with Singapore; organiser Vinexposium announced that from 2027, Hong Kong will be its official home. These decisions reinforce Hong Kong's status as a regional hub connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world.
Looking ahead, HML continues to secure high-profile events, including the inaugural LEAP East in July, the inaugural Global Unicorn Summit in August, and the World Cancer Congress 2026 in September. In December, the city's premier art toy exhibition, Amazing Toy Show Hong Kong 2026, will debut at the venue. For more information about the HKCEC and its upcoming events, visit http://www.hkcec.com or follow its official updates on XHS at https://xhslink.com/m/D2yI1jiKjp.
By continuously attracting global events, HML is enriching Hong Kong's vibrant events landscape and cementing its status as a leading convention and exhibition hub, with significant implications for the city's economic growth and international standing.
