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Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML), the professional private management company responsible for the daily operation of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), wins UFI Sustainable Development Award 2019 for its plastic reduction initiative ‘Think Before Plastic’.

Under the initiative, HML successfully eliminated the use of:  883,000 pieces of disposable plastic cutleries; 176,500 disposable plastic straws; and 67,100 disposable plastic meal boxes within the first six months after the campaign was launched in July 2018.

An extensive communication campaign was conducted to engage event organisers, exhibitors, contractors, visitors and restaurant guests including, an animation video that reached over 220,000 Facebook users.

A creative competition for neighbouring school students was organised to further promote a plastic-less lifestyle.

Monica Lee-Müller, HML’s managing director, said, “Sustainability is one of HML’s guiding principles. HML strives to be at the forefront of a greener event industry. We are proud to have taken this bold step forward and are delighted for the achievements that we have accomplished together with staff members and stakeholders.

“Receiving the UFI Sustainable Development Award from the world’s leading industry association is a strong endorsement of our commitment to environmental protection, and recognition of our effective communication campaign on disposable plastic reduction. This encourages us to continue our efforts. I’d like to call upon all in the exhibition industry to play an active role and make a greater impact together” she added.

HML’s ‘Think Before Plastic’ is also recognised in the new report and online database launched by UFI to track initiatives and projects in the exhibitions business globally that pay into the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UNSDGs).

A series of international exhibitors are returning to showcase at the 2019 event. Leading the comeback are the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Dubai Business Events & Convention Bureau (DBE).

This notable return to AIME comes as a result of the refreshed vision, which has overhauled the way that exhibitors take part in the event – sharpening the focus to a positive return on investment through rigorous curation of the buyer program and format that meetings are delivered.

TCEB is using the 2019 event as a major platform to meet with new and existing clients will maximise networking as well as, launch a global rewards program for event buyers. TCEB Australia Representative, Nicole Tingey from Clockwise Consulting commented: “Australia and the broader APAC region has strong ties with the Kingdom of Thailand, and AIME presents the perfect opportunity to promote Thailand as a key destination for Business Events due to its excellent reputation for service, aviation links, high quality hotels, convention centres and appealing choice of experiences for incentive groups.”

Other international exhibitors attending the 2019 event include Hawaii Tourism Authority, Ministry of Tourism Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau – all set to reveal a new rewards campaign; and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LATCB), who will be showcasing their new Banc of California Stadium and the highly anticipated renovation of the LA Convention Centre.

“The interest that we’ve received from both international and regional exhibitors has been monumental. Whilst they span very different industries, they are all signing up for the same reason – to meet and connect with more quality buyers from across APAC who are ready to do business,” said Matt Pearce, chief executive officer of Talk2 Media & Events.

Only three months to go before the industry event open, AIME 2019 has already confirmed quality buyers from across 32 different countries, with 48 percent having never attended AIME before and 65 percent originating from outside of Australia.

AIME 2019 will run from February 18 to 20 and for more information, please visit aime.com.au.

Banc of California Stadium (left) and Los Angeles Stadium (right) showcase by the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board (LATCB)  at AIME 2019.

For the wedding occasion of Azydynia Rahim and Muhamad Nur Azmi, the happy couple chose to share their joyous moment with friends and relatives at the Grand Ballroom of the Aloft KL Sentral.  Azydynia is the niece of Julia Douglas, the managing editor of MICE in Asia.

The evening’s theme was white floral design with shimmering silver hangings cascading from the ceiling, which is one of the hotel’s signature designs for functions and receptions that include a red carpet laid out for guests entering the ballroom.

The bride and groom made a spectacular entrance by driving up to the Grand Ballroom in a red MG Classic sports car, much to the pleasant surprise of the guests for the evening.  Looking resplendent in white lace wedding gown, the bride was then escorted by the groom to the decorated wedding dais on stage accompanied by the best man and bride’s maid for a traditional Malay wedding ceremony.

Congratulations to Azydynia and Azmi.