Hong Kong Exhibition Industry Unaffected by Student Protests
October 8, 2014
More than a week after students took to the Hong Kong streets demanding that Chief Executive C.Y. Leung step down from his post, as well as for full democracy and voting rights, the protest groups are much smaller and have not impacted the exhibition industry in the city, according to the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association.
The protests began when three pro-democracy student leaders were arrested after a class boycott and their supporters were tear gassed. Tens of thousands of protestors flooded the streets as a result.
“HKECIA wishes to confirm to all participants, buyers and exhibitors, attending autumn trade exhibitions in Hong Kong that events are running smoothly and without interruption,” officials said.
Although there are still small protests in a few locations, both of the two major venues - Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) - are accessible and fully operational.
Public transport links via Mass Transit Railway (MTR), and the ferry service from Kowloon to Wan Chai, where the HKCEC is located, are running as normal.
Some bus services are affected since specific traffic arrangements have been implemented in various locations, according to officials.
“At this time, we are seeing that trade fairs in Hong Kong are running without incident or interruption,” said HKECIA Chairman Javed Khan.
He added, “Our advice to participants in upcoming conferences and exhibitions is that Hong Kong is definitely still open for business and safe to travel. We have seen that trade shows which have successfully completed last week or are scheduled this week in Hong Kong have, aside from some minor travel disruption, continued as normal.”
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites.
Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation.
Reinvented Luxury Experiences
The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes.
New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May.
Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.
A “New Wave for Mandalay Bay
A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay.
Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options.
From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.
Add new comment