The Fortune Global Forum got off to a good start with a demonstration of scaffold erection for the bored partners of invited speakers.
The mainly female audience was treated to an exhibition of what Hong Kong does best - build enormous structures out of sticks and bits of string.
The first event of a three-day entertainment programme for the spouses of the world's business top guns was a demonstration by Wui Loong Scaffolding Works at the Heritage Museum in Sha Tin.
The scaffolding company built a six-metre high by 50-metre square traditional Chinese-style pavilion in only two hours.
However, of the expected 21 attendees, which was to have included the Chief Executive's wife, Betty Tung Chiu Hung-ping, only nine turned up.
Wui Loong managing director, Francis So, monitored his happy band throughout the construction process which started at 9.30 am.