Hong Kong-based Food Expo Sets Attendance Record; Wine, Spirits Fair Also on Tap in November

August 23, 2011

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Food Expo broke attendance records in its 22nd year, with 380,000 visitors coming to the five-day fair, a 3-percent increase, compared with the 2010 event.

The show was held Aug. 11-15 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and exhibitor records also were broken at this year’s event, according to HKTDC officials.

The Food expo included the new Gourmet Zone, which featured premium food and processing products from around the world.

The products included Belgium handmade chocolate, French ice cream, Spanish ham, Indonesian Kopi Luwak coffee and Malaysian wild-fish bladder. In addition to food tastings, several star chefs demonstrated special dishes.

“Food Expo, a signature Hong Kong summer event, has been well-received by residents for years,” said Benjamin Chau, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

He added, “This year, given rising inflation, the special discounts offered by exhibitors helped attract visitors. In addition, the concurrently held Hong Kong International Tea Fair and the ICMCM, organized by the HKTDC and the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association, also helped attract buyers and visitors.”

Chau said several exhibitors utilized the Food Expo to test consumer response to products. “Riding on this success, the Council will continue to improve the expo, ensuring that it remains an ideal trading platform for the industry,” he added.

The HKTDC hopes to continue its success when the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair runs Nov. 3-5, also at the HKCEC.

This year’s partner country will be Italy, which exported wine to the value of $20 million to Hong Kong in 2010, an increase of 45 percent, compared with 2009.

Some of the exhibitors signed up for this year include ASC Fine Wines (Hong Kong) Trading Corporation Limited, Altaya Wines Limited, Jebsen and Company Limited and Jointek Fine Wines (Hong Kong) Limited, to name a few.

A few of the organizations that have confirmed delegations include Consejo Federal de Inversiones from Argentina, Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico from Italy, New South Wales Government from Australia, ProChile, ViniPortugal, Wines of South Africa, and from the United States, the New York Wine & Grape Foundation and Southern US Trade Association.

Last year’s wine fair attracted more than 14,000 visitors on its ‘open day’, proving the growing popularity of wine consumption in the region, according to HKDTC officials.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.