Convention And Exhibition Aid Set

In light of the gradual resumption of convention and exhibition activities in July, the Government will launch the Convention & Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund with a commitment of $1.02 billion.

The first part of the scheme subsidises 50% of the participation fees for exhibitors of exhibitions organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, with a cap of $10,000 per standard booth and 10 booths per exhibitor each time.

Participants of the council's major conventions can also receive a subsidy equivalent to 50% of their participation fees, subject to a cap of $10,000 each time.

The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau said this part of the scheme will be launched on July 16 for 12 months and is applicable to all the council's exhibitions and major conventions that start during the period.

Exhibitors and major convention participants do not need to submit applications. The council will directly deduct the amount of the scheme's subsidy from the amount receivable.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) may apply in tandem for funding under the SME Export Marketing Fund to cover their participation fees on a matching basis.

According to this arrangement and using a standard booth in an exhibition as an example, if the participation fee is $20,000 or less, the exhibitor can take part in the exhibition for free.

If the participation fee is over $20,000, the exhibitor only needs to pay for the remainder after deducting the subsidies from the scheme and Export Marketing Fund.

The second part of the scheme subsidises 100% of the venue rental without a cap for organisers of exhibitions and international conventions held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo.

This part will be launched on July 24 for 12 months and is applicable to all exhibitions and international conventions commenced during the period.

The bureau urged organisers to share the subsidy with participants. Exhibitors can also apply for funding under the Export Marketing Fund to cover their participation fees.

To ease the cash flow of exhibition organisers, if an exhibition has been held in the two venues for the past five years, the organiser may submit an application two months before the event to obtain in advance a subsidy equivalent to 50% of venue rental. The remaining subsidy will be disbursed after completion of the exhibition.