Professor Chon shared his successful experience in leveraging his network and leadership role in hosting the APacCHRIE Conference in 2019. Co-hosted with EuroCHRIE, the conference attracted more than 800 delegates from over 40 countries and regions to Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors can use their professional networks and connections to influence the hosting of more international and regional events in our city,” said Professor Chon. He also praised the programme’s vision to bring more well-recognised regional and international MICE events to Hong Kong through local leaders’ concerted efforts, tactful bidding strategies and thoughtful resource allocation. “When selecting a destination for annual conventions, many international associations tend to favour a destination with the presence of a key member(s) in their organisations. Convention Ambassadors could help identify those key members of international organisations so that the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) can effectively deploy their resources for successful bids,” he added.

This advantage worked well for Professor Philip Chiu, the Congress Chair of the 16th Asia Pacific Congress of Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia (ELSA 2021). Together with the HKTB, he won the hosting right of the biggest conference in endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery for Hong Kong in Asia in November 2021.

At the upcoming conference, Professor Chiu, winner of the Spirit of Hong Kong Award for Innovation in 2020, will present his innovative research on endoscopic treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. In 2004, he pioneered endoscopic submucosal dissection to treat early GI cancers in Hong Kong, leading to tremendous development in this field.

While the conference is a great platform to showcase Professor Chiu and his team’s outstanding achievements to medical professionals attending ELSA 2021, it is also an opportunity to reinforce Hong Kong’s global medical standing, a key factor in winning the ELSA 2021. Enthused by the victory, Professor Chiu wishes to contribute further by participating in the Hong Kong Convention Ambassador programme. “Hong Kong has solid fundamentals and a track record in hosting international medical conferences, thanks to its connectivity, service quality, efficiency, and the city’s leadership in various medical fields. Together with leaders in various specialties, I am honoured to take part in promoting Hong Kong as the international city for conferences.” 

In a post-pandemic world, Hong Kong’s strengths in hardware and software and its unique edge as the international city within the Greater Bay Area will put it in an advantageous position.  The city’s unrivalled attributes, coupled with the strong alliance of Convention Ambassadors supported comprehensively by HKTB, will attract more top MICE events to “The World’s Meeting Place”.