Like an unchained melody, Hong Kong keeps singing its siren song and luring meeting planners from around the world. But instead of shipwrecking conventioneers in a sea of confusion, English-speaking Hong Kong is a vibrant metropolis that delivers a smooth-sailing meetings experience for attendees.
"Doing business here is just simple," says James LaValle, manager, conventions, exhibitions and corporate events for the Hong Kong Tourism Board. "The currency doesn't fluctuate, English is the language of business and service, and it's a very safe place. Especially for a planner's first international meeting, all of the factors I just mentioned make things so much easier."
The currency situation here, especially considering the weak dollar, deserves special mention. Since the mid-1980s, the value of the Hong Kong dollar has been pegged at HK$7.8 to the U.S. dollar. This means that while it's gotten more expensive, in U.S. currency, to hold a meeting in many international destinations, in Hong Kong prices have stayed the same. Two currency notes in perfect tune—something that just might soothe the savaged budget of many a planner.
The maxim that "no matter where you go, there you are" doesn't apply to Hong Kong. From the minute attendees step into Hong Kong International Airport they'll know they're in for something special. A gateway into mainland China, more than 85 airlines operate flights here to 150 destinations worldwide, including about 40 Mainland Chinese cities.
Known as “Asia’s Super Hub,” the airport is home base for Cathay Pacific, the region’s biggest carrier, with flights to Hong Kong from almost 30 U.S. cities. And, the facility has been voted the world's best airport six times since the year 2000 by global road warriors who participate in the annual survey by Skytrax, an independent, London-based air transport research group. Best of all, attendees from most Western countries don't need a visa to stay in Hong Kong.
From the airport, passengers can get into Hong Kong by rail, taxi, bus, or ferry, and there's luxury coach service and ferry service to Mainland China.
What will attendees see on their way into the center of town? Well, depending on the route they take, they'll see a number of markets—some hopping during the day while others used exclusively for snacking and shopping at night—the world's largest seated bronze Buddha and Victoria Peak, overlooking a harbor filled with classic Chinese junk boats.
The are more than 50,000 rooms here among more than 120 properties, ranging from super luxury to quality budget, and new properties are coming on-line at a steady pace.
Set to open at the end of July, the W Hotel Hong Kong will have 393 rooms and six meeting rooms—the largest of which weighs in at 5,250 square feet. The Novotel Nathan Road is a relatively fresh face on the hotel scene. The property is centrally located on the main thoroughfare of Kowloon, also known as the golden mile—the Jade and Temple Street night markets are a short walk away. For a hip boutique hotel experience, check out the Luxe Manor in Kowloon.
When it comes to meeting and expo space, both of Hong Kong's heavyweights are looking to accommodate more small and midsize meetings. AsiaWorld–Expo—which already boasts a 13,500-seat indoor arena and is within walking distance of Hong Kong International Airport—has announced but not yet started an expansion project.
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) totals 2.67 million square feet with 753,000 square feet of function space. There will be an additional 209,000 square feet of space when an expansion project wraps in 2009.
There are also a few new function venues on the Hong Kong scene. LaValle notes that Crown Wine Cellars—a wine-storage space set underground in a concrete WWII bunker—recently opened itself up as an event venue, and Bethanie Hall, a former French monastery, is a beautiful new venue that's also reaching out to groups.
"Hong Kong is the business gateway to China," LaValle says, "but here you operate in a Western, English-language business climate while still having all the advantages of China access. And, we still provide what Hong Kong is known for--the mystique of East meets West, standard-setting service and a currency that doesn't fluctuate compared to the U.S. dollar."
A great airport, coupled with great venues and access to the economic might of China—"Hong Kong" is sweet music to many a planner’s ears.
