Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
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| Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre | |||||||||||
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| Hong Kong convention Centre with Central Plaza directly behind | |||||||||||
| 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 (often abbreviated as HKCEC or 會展) 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.
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[edit] 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). It is connected to the old phase with an atrium link - a sky bridge, and to Convention Road with two road bridges. 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. The atrium link will be rebuilt and expanded.[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.
The HKCEC has a total internal exhibition area of more than 28,000 square metres with 16-metre headroom and spans ranging from 26 m to 81 m. Its multi-curved steel roof has a total area of 40,000 m², while the 7,000 m² fully glazed main entrance foyer has a clear headroom of about 60 metres.
[edit] Management
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, 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. The Managing Director of the company is Cliff Wallace.
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]
[edit] Convention facilities statistics
- 5 exhibition halls: 46,600 m²
- 2 convention halls: 6,100 m²; total seating for 6,100
- 2 theatres: 800 m²; total seating for 1,000
- 52 meeting rooms: 6,900 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: 63,580 m²
- Capacity: 140,000 visitors per day
[edit] 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.
[edit] Awards
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.
[edit] 2005
- Golden Bauhinia Cantonese Restaurant Sous Chef Lui Yau Wing won Gold Award
- Distinction Award in 'Deep-fried Dish Category' in the Best of the Best Culinary Awards 2005 by the Hong Kong Tourism Board
- Voted Best Convention & Exhibition Centre" in 16th TTG Travel Awards 2005
- Voted Asia Pacific's Leading Conference Centre for the third consecutive year at the 11th World Travel Awards by tens of thousands travel agents from around the world.
[edit] 2004
- "The CIM Accolade Award 2004"
- Voted "Best Convention and Exhibition Centre"
[edit] 2002
- Golden Bauhinia Cantonese Restaurant won Gold Award in 'Lobster Category' and 'Bean Curd Category' in the Best of the Best Culinary Award
- Voted "Best Exhibition Centre" in Asia Pacific for the second consecutive year by exhibition organisers in the annual exhibition venue survey
- Voted "Best Overseas Centre, Meetings Category" for the ninth consecutive year
- Second Prize in the 53rd Sapporo Snow Festival
The HKCEC had also won awards in previous years.
[edit] 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 organising events at the HKCEC as a convenient and cost-effective way to source or sell in the region.
[edit] 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. (See also: the NGO section of the Host Government's website )
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Gallery
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
