The new insights come from the annual exhibition industry survey by the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA).
In 2025, Hong Kong held 152 exhibitions larger than 2,000m2 – a jump on pre-COVID levels – however, visitors to the 95 of these shows that had a trade element were 13 per cent below 2019 levels, at 1.62 million.
Meanwhile, exhibitors at shows with a B2B element were down on 2024 levels, by eight per cent, dropping by roughly 5,000 companies, and international visitors to these shows were down by considerably more – 17.5 per cent.
However, the number of shows deemed either solely B2B or B2B and B2C were up 18.8 per cent on 2024, while total exhibition space rented across all kinds of shows – that is, including shows that were B2C only – was up 11.5 per cent.
“The government’s Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions (ISRE 2.0) has been instrumental in enabling organisers to launch new themed fairs and expand existing events, further enhancing Hong Kong’s attractiveness to international organisers,” said HKECIA’s new chair, Wendy Lai.
“While the industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and capability, it faces significant headwinds ahead.
“An uncertain global economic outlook, policy volatility and the conclusion of government support measures such as ISRE 2.0 are expected to place considerable financial pressure on organisers, making it more challenging to launch new themed exhibitions and sustain recurring events,” she said.
Lai has just taken over as chair of the association from Stuart Bailey, who held the position for a decade.
The HKECIA’s exhibition survey was sent to 59 organisers for completion.
