HOFEX 2007 – Outstanding Industry Supports from Existing and New National Exhibiting Groups

The last edition of HOFEX in 2005 congregated an overwhelming participation including 36 national groups from over 55 countries and regions. Within a 4-day period, the show has recorded an astounding count of 28,604 trade visitors, among which 28% were from overseas. This impressive turnout reinforces HOFEX’s status as Asia’s leading international food and hospitality show, providing the most effective trade platform in doing business in Asia.

Given the resounding success at HOFEX 2005, all of the 36 national exhibiting groups have firmly confirmed/reserved their exhibit space and even expanded their pavilion at HOFEX 2007. More significantly is the increasingly growing global presence offered at HOFEX, where new national exhibiting groups of Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Korea (Gyeongsangnam-Do Agricultural Research and Extension Services), Malaysia and Uruguay are coming in for the next edition.

Daniel Cheung Wai-hung, General Manager of the organiser Hong Kong Exhibition Services Ltd announced that HOFEX 2007 will be expanding to the Grand Hall, which would increase the exhibit space to a total of 35,000 m2.

In addition, Mr Cheung estimated that the number of exhibiting companies of 2007 would increase by more than 10 per cent over HOFEX 2005’s record. The strong demand was echoed by Simon Wong Ka-Wo, President of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurant and Related Trades, who commented the overall business of 2006 was expected to improve by 10 per cent.

Featured sector @ HOFEX
Tapping on the increasing demand for luxury spa services at hotels and spa resorts, the Spa & Wellness Zone at HOFEX 2007 brings forward the latest products and trends in Asia Pacific spa market. Firm support has been received from key leaders, such as Deckelmann Wellness, Guest at FRETTE, Matrix, Medec, Oakworks, Winitex and more. The latest spa and fitness related products will be showcased in the show; this would include essential oils, candles, spa/beauty equipments, fitness/ gym equipments and many more.

Concurrent Events @ HOFEX
New to HOFEX this year is the Asian Club Management Conference 2007. Organised by the Club Managers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMAHK), this three-day business conference is fully supported and endorsed by leading club associations including the Club Managers’ Association of America, Far East Chapter as well as the Singapore Club Managers’ Association. Inviting Club Managers, Senior Executives and Industry experts to present discussion topics/ case studies on Asian Golf Course design; Spas – What’s hot and what’s not and how to look at an ROI: Hospitality Interior Design Concepts for Hotels/ Clubs; and many more.

Another event highlights is the Hong Kong International Culinary Classic (HKICC) 2007. This four-day culinary competition, co-organised by The Hong Kong Chefs Associations (HKCA), is targeted at international culinary talents to demonstrate their superb culinary expertise and skills.

Apart from welcoming some leading chefs and industrial professional experts to the organising team this year, the event will also be inviting an international judging panel of highly respected chefs and culinary experts presiding over the judging of HKICC 2007. This year, the competition is made up of 6 main categories ranging from Western Cuisine, Chinese Cuisine, Ice Carving, Live Bakery Competition, Pastry and the Gourmet Team Challenge - each catered to the increasingly sophisticated needs of the food, drinks and hospitality industries.

HKICC is now inviting young and talented chefs from restaurants, clubs, hotels and catering institutions to participate at this international culinary competition. The last edition in 2005 was fully subscribed with over 430 entries. Act immediately to secure you and/or your colleague a placement in this exciting event before it is fully booked. If you would like to obtain a copy of the HKICC 2007 Competition Rules & Regulations Booklet and/or would like to enter the competition, please contact:

HOFEX is one of the Allworld Exhibitions’ internationally renowned “Apple” programme of food and hospitality events. Other highly respected shows within the “Apple” programme include FHA in Singapore, FHC in China, and more. HOFEX has been awarded prestigious UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) status. Membership of the UFI is only awarded to those exhibitions that have taken place at least three times and have a proven record of international exhibitors and visitors.