Stuart Bailey, outgoing chairman, Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA), shares some thoughts on his 10-year journey and the regional exhibition road covered.

After a decade of service, I will step down from the role of chairman of the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) at the next AGM with immense pride and a profound sense of gratitude. I am deeply thankful to the members who placed their faith in me five times over.

I hope I have repaid that trust – ensuring that the business of supporting Hong Kong’s exhibition and convention industry has continued as smoothly as possible, weathering local and global challenges to the best of our ability.

A unified voice through turbulent times

The past decade has demonstrated, perhaps more clearly than ever, the value of a strong, unified industry association. During the pandemic, I was approached by several prominent players from related live-event sectors who lacked a similar organisation with a direct line to government. They had no established channel to address complex operational issues. That experience underscored the critical role HKECIA plays – not only as a voice for the convention and exhibition industry, but as a bridge between stakeholders and policymakers, ensuring best practices are communicated and upheld.

The challenges we have faced have been constantly evolving. Trade wars and tariffs, social unrest, the implementation of the National Security Law, a global pandemic, and numerous smaller disputes among stakeholders have all tested our resilience. In some cases, HKECIA acted as a mediator; in others, we advocated to government for increased support or legislative changes to ensure the smooth continuation of conventions and exhibitions.

During the pandemic, executive committee members and I devoted significant time to working with the government, articulating the potentially devastating impact of prolonged venue closures and the absence of in-person events. We successfully obtained unparalleled financial support – over HK$3bn in subsidies – as we began to reopen. The venue subsidy schemes over the years have been instrumental in helping the industry return and re-establish itself.

Driving sustainability and digital transformation

Sustainability and digital transformation are fundamental shifts that HKECIA has proactively embraced to keep our members relevant and competitive. Several years ago we established a sustainability subcommittee within our executive committee. I have witnessed substantial improvements in exhibition construction, while waste generated from exhibitions has been significantly reduced, with both organisers and venues moving away from unsustainable practices.

The focus is now shifting towards exhibitors, whom we must guide on a journey to modify long-standing habits.

Last year, we launched a new subcommittee for technology and innovation. We are living through an era of incredibly fast-changing technology, marked by the rise of artificial intelligence and digital transformation. It is essential for our members to understand what best practice looks like in this context.

Lessons in partnership and resilience and looking ahead

One key lesson stands out from my time guiding HKECIA through both growth and crisis: the importance of partnerships. Organisers, venues, contractors, and technology partners all rely on one another. None of us can thrive without the support of the others. Understanding this interdependence and finding ways to collaborate more effectively is of vital importance.

Hong Kong has repeatedly demonstrated its status as one of the world’s most significant meeting places. The fundamental factors underpinning its success remain intact and Hong Kong’s resilience and its unique ability to bring people together will ultimately ensure that it continues to deliver excellence. The outlook is promising.

A personal farewell – and a new chapter

After ten years, I believe it is the right time for a change in leadership and the introduction of fresh ideas. This is an election year for HKECIA, and I have informed the Executive Committee that I will not be standing for re-election as chairman. I hope to work closely with my successors to ensure a smooth handover.

I have been confirmed as Honorary Life President of HKECIA and will continue to support the new chairman and the Association’s ongoing great work and I am sure that more great things are in store for Hong Kong’s exhibition industry.

Page 47 also has a boxed Q&A sidebar, formatted differently from the Deutsche Messe one — bold question text rather than “EW:”, and SB: for the answers, no “EW:” prefix at all:

EW Q&A with Stuart Bailey

You spoke about the many challenges and achievements of HKECIA. What was the single most satisfying achievement during your time at the helm and what was the biggest professional challenge?

SB: The biggest challenge we faced over the last ten years was the global pandemic from 2020 to 2023. At the outset, it seemed very reminiscent of the SARS outbreak that Hong Kong suffered in 2003. There was a working assumption at the time that the situation would be similar and that, within a couple of months, we would be back to business as usual. We now know that this was certainly not the case.

There was a significant effort by myself and the Executive Committee to explain to the government how challenging this was for our industry, which relies on face-to-face human contact at a time when the government was doing its utmost to limit social interaction. We made it clear that the idea of virtual events would not, in any meaningful way, help the industry to survive. We also stressed that real financial support was necessary.

The prospect of the 100% venue subsidy scheme – and the reassurance it provided to exhibition organisers and contractors who might have to consider closing their operations – emboldened many of us to continue.

From a personal perspective, when I was forced to consider cutting costs, it gave me confidence that we would not have to reduce headcount or lay off staff whom we would later rely on when the industry returned. Through direct action, we had helped to save businesses and jobs that might otherwise not exist today.

Is there anything you would have done differently with hindsight?

SB: The restrictions, particularly the lengthy quarantine periods for those entering Hong Kong, went on for far too long. We could and perhaps should have urged the Government far more forcefully to open our doors and welcome international visitors in the same way that other countries in the region were doing at the time.

What key advice would you give any successor in the role?

SB: As general advice, I would emphasise the importance of remembering that the chair’s position serves as the mouthpiece for hundreds of industry stakeholders. It is vital to consider the interests of all of these stakeholders and to work to find common ground that will support organisers, contractors, venues, technology partners, and others. It is clear that the association is most powerful when there is universal agreement and alignment.

Finally, if you had to pick one – which exhibition in Hong Kong has given you the most pleasure and why?

SB: This is a very difficult question. It’s like asking someone who their favourite child is. There are so many excellent exhibitions in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Book Fair routinely attracts almost 1,000,000 visitors each summer. As a self-confessed oenophile, I enjoy the city’s wine shows. We also have some of the world’s best art exhibitions.

One of the first exhibitions I ran in Hong Kong was called Restaurant & Bar Hong Kong (now an Informa show). At the time, when we launched, we introduced some brilliant features, from chefs’ competitions and barista championships to the Hong Kong International Beer Awards. These were among the happiest times in organising exhibitions, and hopefully many more great events will follow in Hong Kong.