With the government’s Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions (ISRE) 2.0 set to expire in June 2026, the industry is urging a further extension to navigate a challenging business environment.
Originally announced in the 2024 Policy Address, an additional HK$500 million (US$64 million) was allocated to ISRE 2.0 to attract large-scale international exhibitions.
Exhibition Group’s chairman Carl Wong warned that discontinuing the programme would have an immediate impact, as the market is not yet strong enough to absorb the loss of support.
“For organisers, the financial viability of certain shows will be compromised,” he explained, adding that while public exhibitions are thriving, B2B trade exhibitions face headwinds from geopolitical tensions and economic instability, requiring more resources to remain competitive.
Wong explained that new shows typically take three years to become self-sustaining, hence cutting funding now would jeopardise events just reaching that maturity, suggesting that the ISRE 2.0 be extended for one more year.
In a letter to Hong Kong’s financial secretary Paul Chan ahead of next month’s Budget Speech, the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) requested an extension of the ISRE, calling for a further HK$500 million to match last year’s investment.
HKECIA Chairman Stuart Bailey highlighted the scheme’s success in the letter, noting that 32 large-scale exhibitions and many major conventions have launched during this period. He also cited an Oxford Economics Group study revealing that the sector supports over 77,000 full-time jobs, underscoring the vital need for continued investment to protect these livelihoods.
Meanwhile, managing director of exhibition organiser Market Hubs, Lierence Li, believes the scheme’s expiration could force growing exhibitions to “go backwards”.
Using the Hong Kong Toycar Salon (Hktoycar) as an example, he noted that transitioning from smaller venues to Tier 1 venues like HKCEC involves exponential cost increases.
“The government subsidy acted as a vital buffer,” Li said, explaining that without it, Hktoycar 2026 will remain at the Hopewell Hotel rather than expanding to a Tier 1 venue.
