Hong Kong International Optical Fair 2024

Register now for free admission

For the best eyewear products available in the­­­­­­ market, the Hong Kong International Optical Fair is the place to be, an event which is sure to attract the attention of huge numbers of sourcing professionals. The Fair will be held from 6-8 November 2024 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the  32nd edition will return in EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, complemented by the “Click2Match”, an online smart business matching platform that will operate on 30 October to 15 November, , providing a convenient and efficient platform for traders to connect.

International pavilions galore

This year, the fair will welcome over 700 exhibitors. The fair includes group pavilions representing, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Visionaries of Style (VOS) as well as the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA). The Mainland China pavilion will gather exhibitors from Yingtan of Jiangxi Province, Danyang of Jiangsu Province, and Shenzhen of Guangdong Province.

The highlighted Brand Name Gallery features around 200 international renowned brands, including ALLSAINTS, ANNE MARII, ANNA SUI, BOLON CLASSICO, HERMOSSA, MINIMA, MIZ Gold, SEROVA ST DUPONT, STEPPER, SUEEY.MattheW, Gold & Wood, MOREL, Natura, PARIM, PLUME PEOPLE LUV ME, REEBOK, ROSIE ALLAN, SCOTCH AND SODA, SOLANO, VR&VERGT and VIVIENNE WESTWOOD and more.

Other zones present a broad spectrum of eyewear products to facilitate precision sourcing, including Smart Eyewear, Contact Lenses & Accessories, Designer Cafe, Sporting & Professional Eyewear, Kids Eyewear & Reading Glasses, Lenses, Frames & Parts, Eyewear Accessories, Diagnostic Instruments, as well as Optometric Instruments, Equipment & Machinery.

What’s more, the fairs will also introduce the “Scan2Match” which enables offline-to-online connections. By using the HKTDC Marketplace App, buyers can scan the dedicated QR codes of exhibitors to bookmark their favourite exhibitors, browse product information and e-floorplan, chat with exhibitors even after the fair to continue the sourcing journey.

Event & Activities

A highlighted event – the 22nd Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium – will be organised by HKTDC, together with the Hong Kong Optometric Association and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University on 7 November 2024.  Under the theme “Myopia – From Control to Prevention, Where are We Now?”, six international experts from Australia, Germany, Mainland China and Hong Kong will discuss the latest research on myopia control and prevention in optometric practice. Other events such as Eye Health Summit, eyewear technology trend seminars and forums will be held to keep traders abreast of market information.

Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition

To foster Hong Kong’s creativity and innovation, the HKTDC joins hands with HKOMA to organise the 24th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition under the theme of “Be Bold”. Result will be announced during the Hong Kong International Optical Fair. Winning and final entries will be on display at The Forum, Hall 1D during the fair period to showcase the unique Hong Kong’s creativity to international buyers.

A selection of exhibitors are shown below:

Exhibitor: Arts Optical Company Limited

Country/Region: Hong Kong

Brand: STEPPER

Zone: Brand Name Gallery

Booth: GH-K01

Exhibitor: Mondottica Asia Trading Limited

Country/Region: Hong Kong

Brand: Anna Sui

Zone: Brand Name Gallery

Booth: GH-E08

Exhibitor: Am Optical Plus Ltd Sp Z O O

Country/Region: Poland

Brand: SOLANO

Zone: Brand Name Gallery

Booth: GH-D05

Exhibitor: Icare (Hong Kong) Company Limited

Country/Region: Hong Kong

Brand: Reform

Zone: Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers

Booth: 1E-C08

Exhibitor: Hayashi Company Limited

Country/Region: Japan

Brand: Mena-j

Zone: Japan Pavilion

Booth: Grand Hall

Exhibitor: Interojo Inc.

Country/Region: Korea

Brand: Clalen

Zone: Contact Lenses & Accessories

Booth: 1C-E02

Exhibitor: Solos Technology Limited

Country/Region: Hong Kong

Brand: SOLOS

Zone: VOS

Booth: Grand Hall

Exhibitor: Chengyi International Co., Limited

Country/Region: Hong Kong

Brand: PAIRM

Zone: Brand Name Gallery

Booth: GH-R06

Exhibitor: Guangzhou Somta Optical Technology Co., Ltd

Country/Region: Mainland China

Zone: Sporting & Professional Eyewear

Booth: 1C-G33

Exhibitor: Elegante Arts Packaging Company Limited

Country/Region: Hong Kong

Zone: Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association Pavilion

Booth: 1E-D06

Exhibitor: Meisystem Asia Ltd.

Country/Region: Hong Kong

Brand: Easy Fit

Zone: Optometric Instruments, Equipment & Machinery

Booth: 1A-B13

Exhibitor: Guangzhou Somta Optical Technology Co., Ltd

Country/Region: Hong Kong

Zone: Diagnostic Instruments

Booth: 1CON-060

Register now for free admission

Hong Kong International Optical Fair

Register now for free admission

For the best and most spectacular eyewear products available in the market, the Hong Kong International Optical Fair is the place to be, an event which is sure to attract the attention of huge numbers of sourcing professionals. The Fairwill be held from 8-10 Nov 2023 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 31st edition will return in EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, complemented by the “Click2Match”, an online smart business matching platform that will operate on 1-17 November, providing a convenient and efficient platform for traders to connect.

International pavilions

This year, the fair includes group pavilions representing Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Visionaries of Style (VOS) as well as the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA). The Mainland China pavilion will gather exhibitors from Yingtan of Jiangxi Province, Danyang of Jiangsu Province, Wenzhou of Zhejiang Province and Shenzhen of Guangdong Province.

The highlighted Brand Name Gallery will house around 100 well-known brands from around the world. New exhibiting brands include ANNA SUI (US), agnès b (France), Gold and Wood (France), Santa Monica (Japan), TED BAKER (US), LASH (Korea), as well as returning prestigious international brands such as MINIMA (France) and STEPPER (Germany), etc. Eyewear Parades by professional models will be held to show different stylish outlooks of eyewear.

Hong Kong brands including BIG HORN and bTd amongst others are also not to be missed. The Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA) will set up an eyewear design gallery with the theme of “Promoting Hong Kong’s Outstanding Innovative Eyewear” to promote Hong Kong’s creative eyewear designs and the 3D technology elements involved.

Demand growth

Demand for smart glasses continues to grow in the global market. The new “Smart Eyewear” zone this year aims to answer this rising demand. Hong Kong exhibitor Solos Technology Limited and US exhibitor Zulu Inc. will showcase their latest smart glasses products. The Fair also includes other themed zones, spotlighting a wide variety of products ranging from professional eyewear, accessories, frames, lenses, diagnostic instruments to optometric instruments.

The fairs will also introduce the “Scan2Match” which enables offline-to-online connections. By using the HKTDC Marketplace App, buyers can scan the dedicated QR codes of exhibitors to bookmark their favourite exhibitors, browse product information and e-floorplan, chat with exhibitors even after the fair to continue the sourcing journey.

A selection of exhibitors are shown below:

Exhibitor: Arts Optical Company Limited

Country/Region: Hong Kong

Brand: STEPPER

Zone: Brand Name Gallery

Booth: GH-J03

Exhibitor: Mech-Tronic Precision Manufacturing Limited

Country/Region: Hong Kong

Brand: bTd

Zone: Brand Name Gallery

Booth: GH-R10

Exhibitor: Mondottica Asia Trading Limited

Country/Region: Hong Kong

Brand: Anna Sui

Zone: Brand Name Gallery

Booth: GH-E12

Exhibitor: Wenzhou Conway Light Industry Co. Ltd

Country/Region: Mainland China

Brand: CONWAY

Zone: Smart Eyewear

Booth: 1CON-054

Exhibitor: RayMaterials Co., Ltd

Country/Region: Korea

Brand: RayFog

Zone: Korea Pavilion

Booth: 1C-F15

Exhibitor: Wing Fung Optical International Limited

Country/Region: Hong Kong

Brand: Big HORN

Zone: Frames, Lenses & Parts

Booth: 1D-G02

Exhibitor: Interojo Inc.

Country/Region: Korea

Brand: Clalen

Zone: Contact Lenses & Accessories

Booth: 1C-F01

Exhibitor: Astucci International Limited

Country/Region: Hong Kong

Brand: ASTUCCI

Zone: Eyewear Accessories

Booth: 1D-D23

Exhibitor: Neway Macao Commercial Ltd

Country/Region: Macau

Brand: Natura

Zone: Brand Name Gallery

Booth: GH-E30

Register now for free admission

Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TE commence

Certain to attract watch enthusiasts and industry players from around the world, the 42nd HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and 11th Salon de TE commence in early September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Organisers are bringing new elements and themes to this year’s gathering.

The parallel events are jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd. and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades and Industries Ltd. More than 700 global exhibitors from 17 countries and regions are anticipated.

Under the EXHIBITION+ hybrid mode, the physical fair will run from 5 to 9 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Salon de TE will open its doors to both industry buyers and the public on the final two days (8 and 9 September). From 29 August to 16 September, exhibitors and buyers from across the world can engage in online and offline meetings through the AI-powered Click2Match smart business-matching platform.

Globally significant fair

According to Sophia Chong, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, the globally renowned Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair has consistently served as an effective platform for the industry to secure orders and establish business connections. This is especially the case given the fact that Hong Kong remains the world’s largest wristwatch import market and the second-largest wristwatch export market, following Switzerland, she highlighted.

Chong also pointed out that the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair exhibits are more diversified this year to serve changing industry needs. “This year also welcomes a first-time exhibitor from Greece and Dubai, and will feature Guangdong, Guangzhou and Taiwan pavilions, hoping to create business opportunities for the industry,” she said.

The Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair includes several key zones. The Pageant of Eternity zone showcases OEM and ODM high-end complete watches. Other product zones cover clocks, machinery and equipment, parts and components, packaging, and trade services.

Five themes at Salon de TE

Salon de TE, dedicated to showcasing internationally renowned watch brands, will feature five thematic zones: World Brand Piazza, Chic & Trendy, Craft Treasure, Renaissance Moment, and Wearable Tech. These zones will present more than 130 prominent watch brands and designer collections from France, Switzerland, Italy, the United States and more.

The debut Guo Chao theme welcomes several remarkable mainland independent watchmakers and watch designs. They will showcase timepieces that intricately blend Chinese cultural elements. Ma XuShu, an independent watchmaker from Mainland China, will present his masterpiece Starry Night wristwatch. Another watchmaker Wei Guang Wen will showcase Guangzhou clocks, a timepiece of historical, cultural and artistic value.

Swiss Independent Watchmaking Pavilion (SIWP) and Francéclat are returning this year, together with a debut by the International Luxury Group, presenting a range of Swiss and international watch brands.

Sponsored by Prince Jewellery & Watch for the 13th consecutive year, the World Brand Piazza zone remains a fair highlight. This year it will feature a lineup of 10 international watch brands and will showcase an exclusive selection of luxurious and rare timepieces.

The Wearable tech zone this year has tripled its exhibiting area compared to 2019, displaying a series of smartwatches and the latest technology brands, including Microwear, DTNO.1, DO and MYZI etc.

Other international timepiece brands will present wristwatches of different styles and personalities. This includes a limited-edition Mermaid Tourbillon by Hong Kong brand Memorigin, with just 100 pieces worldwide. First-time exhibitor King-Wear from Mainland China will feature one-touch Bluetooth pairing for calls, built-in music and video playback, body identification sensors and more than 100 sports modes. Young watchmaker Ricky (see below), cultivated by Hong Kong brand ANPASSA, has made his own tourbillon, a creative work described as a 15-year-old dream.

Networking opportunities

In addition to EXHIBITION+, the fair will also launch the Scan2Match function, which brings communication from offline to online. Buyers can use the HKTDC Marketplace app to scan exhibitors’ QR codes during the exhibition period, bookmark their favourite exhibitors, browse product information and the e-Floor plan, and continue to chat with exhibitors online during or after the exhibition period, extending their sourcing journey.

Seminars

Forums, seminars, watch parades and networking events will provide first-hand market information. At the Hong Kong International Watch Forum on 5 September will discuss the global trade situation and industry trends.

Global market research agency Euromonitor International will discuss sustainable watch design development around this year’s theme “Shaping the Future Watch: The Next Design Trends” at the Asian Watch Conference on 6 September.

On the same day, Noel Wong, a watch collector, and William Bai, a watch culture expert and founder of Watch Traveler, will discuss affordable luxury watch prospects, a hot topic among celebrities.

To cultivate a new generation of watch designers and technical talents and promote the innovation and development of watch design, the HKTDC, Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd and Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd have jointly organised the 40th Hong Kong Watch & Clock Design Competition.

The competition has two categories – The Beauty of Perspective for the Open Group and Game Code for the Student Group. Artist Jessica Hsuan was invited as a guest judge this year. Award-winning works and finalists will be exhibited during the Watch & Clock Fair, and the award ceremony will be held on 9 September at the Infinite Galaxy in Hall 3FG of the fairground.

Events, lucky draws, shopping discounts

Activities at Salon de TE (open to the public aged 12 and above) will include watch parades, watch and painting demonstrations, embroidery watch crafts, product launches and more. Visitors can participate in lucky draws, with prizes including luxury watches, fashion accessories, dining vouchers and more. They can also join Smart Bidding to bid on their desired watches starting at as much as 90% off the retail price. Some exhibits will be available for on-the-spot sale.

In addition, Asia’s premier fashion event CENTRESTAGE will be held from 6 to 9 September at the HKCEC, assembling designer brands from around the world to create synergies. Visitors can view the latest products of more than 350 watch and fashion brands at the same time.

Click here for more details.

Art Basel Hong Kong 2021: What to expect at the upcoming art fair

Art Basel Hong Kong returns after a year off site. Given the on-going travel restrictions and social distancing measures, the city’s premier international art fair Art Basel Hong Kong is introducing a new hybrid format to the 2021 event. In a wholly new hybrid-format for the city’s biggest annual art fair, the programme will launch a combination its digital platform Art Basel Live: Hong Kong to complement its physical fair, presenting a unique overview of the diverse art scenes from around the world with a close focus on historical and experimental works of art in various mediums by both established and emerging artists and galleries. The art fair, which will run between 21 to 23 May will be the fair’s first major exhibition since the pandemic in 2019.

An impressive line up of galleries
Art Basel Hong Kong 2021 will feature 104 participating galleries from 23 countries from around the world. The main sector will present 86 galleries with a close focus on experimental works. For the 56 international galleries that could not attend the fair due to travel restrictions, satellite booths staffed with a local representative appointed by Art Basel have been set up to amplify the visibility of its partnering international exhibitors.

A new hybrid format
The hybrid format of Art Basel Hong Kong 2021 will include standalone as well as shared booths at its usual location at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, while its digital platform titled Art Basel Live: Hong Kong will give virtual viewers access to Online Viewing Rooms, a program of special events, live-streamed tours, broadcasts and virtual walkthroughs, bringing audiences from around the world together.

Exclusive online content
The specially launched Art Basel Live: Hong Kong will highlight exclusive content for its online viewers, from live broadcasts featuring Takashi Murakami, Su Xiaobai, Theaster Gates, and collector Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, as well as exciting programmes such as unveiling rare artworks being taken out of their crates, and live-streamed tours of other cultural and art events around Hong Kong. Among the list of online programmes to look out for is the ‘The Art Market 2021: China Focus’, which will cover the most recent developments in China, the world’s second-biggest art market.

Where to go
For the physical event, the Art Basel exhibition will be held in its usual location at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 21 to 23 May, while a daily broadcast shot at from the venue will be live-streamed on Art Basel’s website and Facebook page to its global audience every day at 8pm, as well as on Chinese platforms Yitiao and Zai Art. Ticketing price start from HK$200.

Social distancing measures
Visitors of the in-person of the Art Basel fair may have to wait in line for a given amount of time as the venue will be applying social distancing measures, limiting to a controlled number of visitors within the hall at any given time. Upon entering, the exhibition hall, all visitors are expected to scan the event’s QR code on the LeaveHomeSafe app or use an electronic registration form to record details of all visitors’ attendance.

 

All images courtesy of Art Basel.

 

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Hong Kong iconic buildings designed by international designers

 

Hong Kong has been known for years as one of Asia’s major financial and banking hubs, comparable to major hubs in the West, including New York and London. Aside from this distinction, the city is also known for scores of its iconic skyscrapers, courtesy of some of the world’s most prominent and renowned designers and architectural firms. We present some of the city’s most iconic structures designed by renowned international designers.

Hong Kong iconic buildings designed by international designers Bank of China Tower HSBC Main Building

HSBC Main Building
1 Queen’s Road, Central, 1985

Designed by internationally-acclaimed British architect, Norman Foster, the HSBC main building was a one-of-a-kind design. Its internal design is absent of a central structure, presenting an open free-space that resembles a gallery more than a building. It was reputed as the most expensive building across the world when its construction was completed in 1985.

Hong Kong iconic buildings designed by international designers Bank of China Tower

Bank of China Tower
1 Garden Road, Central

The Bank of China Tower is a 72-storey office tower designed by Chinese-American Pritzker Prize-winning architect, I. M. Pei. Its distinctive glass curtain walls, sharp edges and pointed tower makes it a truly unique landmark in Hong Kong’s Central district. Until 1992, it enjoyed the distinction of being the tallest building in Hong Kong and Asia.

Hong Kong iconic buildings designed by international designers International Finance Centre

International Finance Centre
8 Finance Street, Central

The integrated commercial complex simply known as IFC is one of the most prominent landmarks on Hong Kong Island. It consists of Tower One, the 55 storey Four Seasons Hotel and Tower Two, the second tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong, towering over the waterfront at 415m. It was designed by César Pelli, an architect known for some of the tallest buildings in the world.

Hong Kong iconic buildings designed by international designers Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai

Built in 1988 on reclaimed land off Gloucester Road is one of the two major convention and exhibition centres in Hong Kong, the other being AsiaWorld-Expo. The complex was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merill LLP and took only 48 months to complete from reclamation. It sits along the shore, overlooking Victoria Harbour in three fronts, a distinctive landmark that everyone coming through the harbour won’t fail to see. 

Hong Kong iconic buildings designed by international designers Jockey Club Innovation Centre

Jockey Club Innovation Tower
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Hom

In 2007 Zaha Hadid and her firm won a competition that was set in place to develop a deign that would symbolise the driving and development of Hong Kong as a design hub in Asia. Hadid and her firm’s goal was to “dissolve the classic typography of tower and podium to create a seamless piece”. She said, “The tower promotes a diversity of civic spaces “.  Hadid is also the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize award.