Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Encyclopedia
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) 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. The venue was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, in association with Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd.
Larry Oltmanns led the design, who is a former Design Partner with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP.
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is not to be confused with the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre, which is another exhibition venue in Wan Chai North.
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). The project took only 48 months from reclamation to completion. The main constructor of the extension was a joint venture named Hip Hing Construction Co Ltd Dragages et Travaux Publics. Originally, Phase Two was connected to Phase One with an atrium link (a sky bridge), and to Convention Road with two road bridges, but now the two phases are connected by an expanded exhibition hall.
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.
HKCEC made a second expansion during 2006-2009. Upon completion, the HK$1.4 billion expansion added 19,400 sqm to the HKCEC, bringing the total exhibition space to nearly 83,000 sqm and total rentable function space to over 92,000 sqm.
for the day-to-day management and operation of the HKCEC. The 850 member staff's responsibilities include administration, marketing, booking, scheduling, event co-ordination, maintenance, security and food and beverage operations. The latter including banqueting, and managing the Centre's restaurants. 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 denied these allegations in a meeting with the Legislative Councilors
in the 2003-2004 session. He claimed that his company did not provide preferential treatment, that dates were offered on a first-come-first-served basis and that standard industry practices were exercised with regards to booking and scheduling at the HKCEC as required by the operating agreement with HKTDC.
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.
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 )
, a Hong Kong ferry service, operates 2 routes from the HKCEC across the Victoria Harbour:
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 Line, 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.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, along with AsiaWorld-Expo
AsiaWorld-Expo
The AsiaWorld-Expo is one of the two major convention and exhibition facilities in Hong Kong along with Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It was opened on 21 December 2005 by Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and it is operated by AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited...
. It is located in Wan Chai North
Wan Chai
Wan Chai is a metropolitan area situated at the western part of the Wan Chai District on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, in Hong Kong. Its other boundaries are Canal Road to the east, Arsenal Street to the west and Bowen Road to the south. The area north of Gloucester Road is often called...
, Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
. Built along the Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour is a natural landform harbour situated between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong. The harbour's deep, sheltered waters and strategic location on the South China Sea were instrumental in Hong Kong's establishment as a British colony and its subsequent...
, it is linked by covered walkways to nearby hotels and commercial buildings. The venue was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, in association with Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd.
Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd.
Wong & Ouyang Ltd. is a group of architectural and engineering practice with offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Guangzhou.-External links:* * Wong & Ouyang Ltd., , September 2009...
Larry Oltmanns led the design, who is a former Design Partner with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP.
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is not to be confused with the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre, which is another exhibition venue in Wan Chai North.
Construction
The original building was built on reclaimed landLand reclamation in Hong Kong
Land is in short supply in Hong Kong, and land reclamation has been conducted there since the mid-19th century.-Projects:One of the earliest and famous project was the Praya Reclamation Scheme, which added 50 to of land in 1890 during the second phase of construction...
off Gloucester Road
Gloucester Road, Hong Kong
Gloucester Road is a major road in Hong Kong. It is in the north of Wan Chai and East Point on Hong Kong Island. It connects to Harcourt Road at its western end and it ends east along west side of Victoria Park. It forms part of Hong Kong's Route 4 and connects to the Island Eastern Corridor via...
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
Artificial island
An artificial island or man-made island is an island or archipelago that has been constructed by people rather than formed by natural means...
, was constructed from 1994 to 1997, and features a bird-like rooftop (also referred to as a turtle by some critics). The project took only 48 months from reclamation to completion. The main constructor of the extension was a joint venture named Hip Hing Construction Co Ltd Dragages et Travaux Publics. Originally, Phase Two was connected to Phase One with an atrium link (a sky bridge), and to Convention Road with two road bridges, but now the two phases are connected by an expanded exhibition hall.
The complex's construction was financed by New World Development
New World Development
New World Development Company Limited , based in Hong Kong, is active in property, infrastructure, services and telecommunications. It was established in 1970 with Dr Ho Sin Hang as Chairman and Chow Chi Yuen as Director and General Manager...
, with the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
The Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is a luxury Hyatt hotel in Hong Kong, and the Asian flagship of Hyatt International. It has been described in a New York Times travel article as a "world-famous prestige" property. It opened in 1989 and is located at 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, adjacent to the Hong Kong...
and Harbour View Apartments on top of it.
HKCEC made a second expansion during 2006-2009. Upon completion, the HK$1.4 billion expansion added 19,400 sqm to the HKCEC, bringing the total exhibition space to nearly 83,000 sqm and total rentable function space to over 92,000 sqm.
Management
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML), a wholly owned subsidiary of NWS Holdings Ltd (新創建集團有限公司), is contracted by the HKTDCHong Kong Trade Development Council
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based manufacturers, traders and service providers. Established in 1966, it has more than 40 offices around the world, including 11 in the Chinese mainland, promoting Hong Kong as a platform for doing business...
for the day-to-day management and operation of the HKCEC. The 850 member staff's responsibilities include administration, marketing, booking, scheduling, event co-ordination, maintenance, security and food and beverage operations. The latter including banqueting, and managing the Centre's restaurants. 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 denied these allegations in a meeting with the Legislative Councilors
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
in the 2003-2004 session. He claimed that his company did not provide preferential treatment, that dates were offered on a first-come-first-served basis and that standard industry practices were exercised with regards to booking and scheduling at the HKCEC as required by the operating agreement with HKTDC.
Convention facilities statistics
- 6 exhibition halls: 53,292 m²
- 2 convention halls: 5,699 m²; total seating for 6,100
- 2 theatres: 800 m²; total seating for 1,000
- 52 meeting rooms: 6,004 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: 92,061 m²
- Capacity: 140,000 visitors per day
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.
The Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference
WTO Ministerial Conference of 2005
The Sixth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, also known as the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference and abbreviated as MC6, was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, Hong Kong from 13 to 18 December 2005...
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 )
Transport
The Star FerryStar Ferry
The Star Ferry, or The "Star" Ferry Company, is a passenger ferry service operator in Hong Kong. Its principal routes carry passengers across Victoria Harbour, between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon...
, a Hong Kong ferry service, operates 2 routes from the HKCEC across the Victoria Harbour:
- HKCEC, Wan Chai - Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha TsuiTsim Sha TsuiTsim Sha Tsui , often abbreviated as TST, is an urbanized area in southern Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is administratively part of the Yau Tsim Mong District. Tsim Sha Tsui East is a piece of land reclaimed from the Hung Hom Bay now east of Tsim Sha Tsui...
- HKCEC, Wan Chai - Whampoa GardenWhampoa GardenWhampoa Garden is the largest private housing estate located in Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was built on the site of the former Whampoa Dockyards under Hutchison Whampoa Property's "garden city" concept and completed in 1991.-Features:...
, Hung HomHung HomHung Hom is an area of Kowloon, in Hong Kong, administratively part of the Kowloon City District, with a portion west of the railway in the Yau Tsim Mong District. Hung Hom serves mainly residential purposes though is mixed with some industrial buildings in the north.-Geography:Hung Hom is located...
The fare is HK$2.2 for adults, and HK$1.3 for children.
Currently, the closest MTR
MTR
Mass Transit Railway is the rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong. Originally opened in 1979, the system now includes 211.6 km of rail with 155 stations, including 86 railway stations and 69 light rail stops...
metro
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
station serving the HKCEC is Wan Chai Station
Wan Chai (MTR)
Wan Chai is a station on Island line of Hong Kong's MTR. It serves Wan Chai. The main MTR railway is beneath Hennessy Road in the district. Due to the large area of Wan Chai, more than 50 ticket gates and eight entrances have been set up. One of the exits lead to the footbridge along O'Brien Road,...
(exit C) on the Island Line
Island Line (MTR)
The Island Line is one of 10 lines of the MTR, the mass transit system in Hong Kong. It runs from Sheung Wan in the Central and Western District to Chai Wan in the Eastern District. The line first opened in 31 May 1985...
. The proposed North Island Line, an extension of the MTR's Tung Chung Line
Tung Chung Line (MTR)
The Tung Chung Line is one of the 10 lines of the MTR system in Hong Kong. It links Tung Chung with Hong Kong Island. A part of the Tung Chung Line was built along with the Kap Shui Mun Bridge and the Tsing Ma Bridge...
, will have a station
Exhibition (MTR)
Exhibition is a station on MTR's proposed North Island Line, an extension of Tung Chung Line, and also Sha Tin to Central Link. If built, it will serve the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre at Wan Chai North, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong....
at HKCEC.
In addition, the HKCEC is served by bus routes number 960, 961, 40, 40M , 8 & 2A.
In popular culture
- During the Chinese campaign of the video game Command & Conquer: GeneralsCommand & Conquer: GeneralsCommand & Conquer: Generals is a real-time strategy game in the Command & Conquer series. Generals utilizes SAGE...
, 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. - It is also the setting for the grand finale in both New Police StoryNew Police StoryNew Police Story is a 2004 Hong Kong action film starring Jackie Chan and directed by Benny Chan.The film is a reboot of the Police Story series. New Police Story relies much more on drama and heavy action than its predecessors.-Plot:...
starring Jackie ChanJackie ChanJackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
, and Gen-X CopsGen-X CopsGen-X Cops is a 1999 Hong Kong action/crime film directed by Benny Chan, starring Nicholas Tse, Stephen Fung and Sam Lee.-Synopsis:Jet fuel is stolen by weapons smugglers. The fuel is reacquired by the Hong Kong police but then once again stolen by a yakuza boss named Akatora who is trying to sell...
.
See also
- AsiaWorld-ExpoAsiaWorld-ExpoThe AsiaWorld-Expo is one of the two major convention and exhibition facilities in Hong Kong along with Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It was opened on 21 December 2005 by Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and it is operated by AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited...
- Golden Bauhinia SquareGolden Bauhinia SquareThe Golden Bauhinia Square is an open area in Wan Chai North, Hong Kong. The square was named after the giant statue of a golden Bauhinia blakeana at the centre of the area, situated outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the ceremonies for the handover of Hong Kong and the...
- Hong Kong Trade Development CouncilHong Kong Trade Development CouncilThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based manufacturers, traders and service providers. Established in 1966, it has more than 40 offices around the world, including 11 in the Chinese mainland, promoting Hong Kong as a platform for doing business...
- Wan ChaiWan ChaiWan Chai is a metropolitan area situated at the western part of the Wan Chai District on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, in Hong Kong. Its other boundaries are Canal Road to the east, Arsenal Street to the west and Bowen Road to the south. The area north of Gloucester Road is often called...
External links
- HKCEC Phase 3 Structure Sequence animation and Phase 3 Development Architectural animation
- The HKCEC Official website
- Satellite view of the site
- MyTravelGuide.com: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
- AIA Chicago:Distinguished Building Award: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Extension
- SOM Project Webpage
- Wong & Ouyang Project Webpage
- Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd.Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd.Wong & Ouyang Ltd. is a group of architectural and engineering practice with offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Guangzhou.-External links:* * Wong & Ouyang Ltd., , September 2009...
, "More than half-a-century of architectural design experience in Hong Kong", section "Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Expansion Project", pp. 52-57, September 2009 - HKCEC iPhone Apps