The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) has concluded the first LEAP East summit, the Asian debut of Saudi Arabia's premier technology conference brand. The three-day event, held across 35,000 square meters of rentable space, attracted over 25,000 professionals, policymakers, and investors, with 55% of attendees from international and Mainland China and 45% local. The summit featured 300 startups and 600 investors representing more than US$6.5 trillion in assets under management.
Ms Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of HML, highlighted the significance of the event: 'The resounding success of LEAP East perfectly demonstrates Hong Kong's strategic role as a super-connector and super value-adder bridging economies, innovation, capital, and cultures.' She noted that HKCEC has welcomed major Asian debuts and city-first events this year, with many expressing intent to return with larger floor space and bigger crowds.
Ms Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf and co-creator of LEAP, emphasized the synergies between Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong in AI, FinTech, and other technology sectors. 'Hong Kong was the natural choice to launch a brand like LEAP, and the HKCEC has proven to be the ideal venue to foster collaboration and innovation,' she said.
The summit's success underscores Hong Kong's ambition to become a leading global innovation and technology hub. HML's proactive efforts to introduce Muslim-friendly facilities and services earned the HKCEC the distinction of being the first venue accredited as a Gold-standard Muslim-Friendly MICE Venue, contributing to LEAP East's smooth execution. The venue's halal dining options, bilateral meeting rooms, and prayer facilities were praised by attendees.
HML has secured an exclusive three-year deal with Tahaluf for LEAP East to return to HKCEC in 2027, reinforcing the city's global I&T leadership. The partnership aligns with Hong Kong's strategic development plans to position the HKCEC as a leading platform for industries to demonstrate achievements and unlock new opportunities. The event also serves as a gateway for Mainland Chinese enterprises to connect with international partners.
For more information about the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, visit http://www.hkcec.com.
