Front desk must be open to all firms
While I attend many exhibitions and trade fairs at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre throughout the year, I rarely have reason to approach its information desks.
However, one day last month clients wanted some tourist information, so I took them to the desk at the main entrance. While waiting, I glanced at the leaflets displayed on the counter.
Imagine my surprise to find cards encouraging members of the public to sign up to receive information on New World Development's latest news and offers. The information provided by people can be used for a multitude of purposes and shared with the company's partners.
According to its website the convention centre is owned by the Trade Development Council (TDC) and the Hong Kong government. It says that the 'TDC is entrusted by government to be responsible for the centre's development, design and management. The TDC has contracted with Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML) for management and operation of the centre. HML is a wholly owned subsidiary of NWS Holdings Ltd.'
As the management company, HML is entrusted with the daily management of the convention centre. Therefore, it should be promoting only the interests of its employer the TDC and ultimately the Hong Kong government. It is certainly not appropriate for it to take advantage of its position to promote the business of the New World group.
Senior management of both the TDC and convention centre justify its quasi-monopoly status by declaring that they are working primarily to benefit local small and medium-sized businesses. However, the facts speak for themselves in an open promotion of one of the largest conglomerates in the city.