Successful Meetings - July 2009 - (Page 92)

HONG KONG > FAR EAST ALLURE FAR EAST ALLURE HONG KONG COURTS THE NORTH AMERICAN MEETINGS MARKET By William Ng C osmopolitan, a major financial hub, and inhabited by one of the world’s most progressively modern societies, adrenaline-packed Hong Kong remains one of Asia’s premier cities and a favorite destination for U.S. groups. But to compete for group business in a weak economy with other Far East outposts, both established (Singapore) and growing (Macau and Beijing), the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) launched its most comprehensive global initiative yet, Meetings & Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK). Introduced to the U.S. market at a springtime reception in New York City that was emceed by James LaValle, HKTB’s U.S. manager for meetings, MEHK General Manager Gilly Wong declared unprecedented support for groups, with a teeming one-stop-shop microsite at www.mehongkong.com, a plethora of partner services, and valueadded promotions. “Last year, Hong Kong supported over 1,300 events, welcoming 1.7 million international [meetings, incentive, convention, exhibition] visitors. This marks a new chapter in our efforts to enhance Hong Kong’s reputation as a [meetings] destination,” Wong said to a packed house at the Asia Society building, not far from MEHK’s new Manhattan office. LaValle reiterated Hong Kong’s enduring popularity through a video with the tagline “Hong Kong – Converging Possibilities.” “We’ve had large growth in infrastructure, venues, and accommodations and it was really time to take the next step, with a plan to firm our position,” he said. For qualified groups (minimum 100 overseas delegates with minimum twonight stays), MEHK is delivering com- 92 I SM I July 2009 I SuccessfulMeetings.com The iconic Peak Tram takes visitors to the tallest lookout in Hong Kong http://www.mehongkong.com http://www.SuccessfulMeetings.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - July 2009

Successful Meetings - July 2009
Contents
Editor's Letter
News Update
Education
Mouth for Sale
Incentive Insights
Meetings Law
Management Matters
Gurus
Path to Success
Cover Story: ROI Guide
Medical & Pharmaceutical Meetings
Safety & Security
Industry Roundtable
Places + Spaces
Alabama
Georgia & the Carolinas
Hong Kong
Melbourne
Golf Meetings
Planning a golf meeting, 101
Formats, games, prizes, and the awards ceremony
The how, what, why, and win of hole-in-one insurance
How the PGA professional can help your meeting plans
A woman’s view of golf
Opinion: The (new) perception of golf resorts
In closing: Boondoggle is not part of the golf vocabulary
Hawaii
Business Unusual
Q&A with Michael Murray
The Latest and Greatest

Successful Meetings - July 2009