HKCEC successfully hosts first physical large-scale international congress since the pandemic

The 24^th Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology Congress (APLAR 2022)attracted 700 delegates, including about 400 experts, speakers and delegates from overseas. It was Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre’s first physical large-scale international congress since the Covid pandemic halted big international events in the SAR. The four-day event ran 6-9 December 2022 and featured a full slate of speeches, workshops and conferences as well as an exhibition showing latest rheumatology technology and industry trends. APLAR 2022 marked an important step in the reopening of Hong Kong’s borders to exhibition and convention participants worldwide. In addition to keeping the organiser updated on the Hong Kong Government’s anti-epidemic and social distancing measures, HML event managers helped overseas delegates efficiently fulfil the “0+3” requirements. Health and safety measures were wide-ranging, from venue disinfection and provision of special dining arrangements to the setting locations for of a mobile specimen truck for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Following the virtual Congress 2020 and hybrid Congress 2021, professor Debashish Danda, president of APLAR and Dr Ronald ML Yip, Congress chair of APLAR 2022 both said they were excited to see the event return to a physical format. “Thanks to HML’s support, we were able to host delegates from countries and regions around the world in a face-to-face setting at the HKCEC. The HML team’s flexibility, professional advice and coordination were exceptional, as were the planning process, execution and delivery,” they said. Monica Lee-Müller, managing director of HML, said she felt very confident about the opportunities that lie ahead for the convention and exhibition industry. “Our experiences with the pandemic and the overwhelmingly positive response from APLAR 2022 attendees demonstrate clearly that online conferencing technologies cannot fully replace physical meetings. APLAR 2022 is also a stellar showcase of Hong Kong’s resilience and versatility compared to other regional cities, one that HML can present to overseas organisers of major conferences as we head into 2023.” Photo: HML welcomed its first physical large-scale international congress since the pandemic.