Casino-hotel to host the mainland's top convention organiser in 2007, putting a dent in HK's exhibition business
The biggest organiser of trade fairs and conventions on the mainland will inaugurate more than 1.8 million square feet of exhibition space at the Venetian Macau casino and hotel in 2007, dealing a major blow to Hong Kong's ambitions of becoming the convention hub for China and the region.
Industry sources in Hong Kong said the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade - the mainland's equivalent of the Trade Development Council - had agreed to stage the Venetian Macau's maiden trade fair in the second half of 2007.
The agreement is with China International Exhibition Centre Group, the wholly owned exhibition arm of the Beijing-based council that stages major shows for the furniture, apparel, property, automobile and other industries.
'Yes, we are planning to do that,' said Sam Xie Senshu, the group's managing director in Hong Kong.
He added that the nature of the trade show would be determined later.
'We have not signed an agreement yet as we have to wait for the new Venetian convention director,' he said.