An action-packed series of four parallel fairs, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), is set to kick off at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 14 August. The inaugural HKTDC Home Delights Expo (14-18 August) will link up with regular annual events, the HKTDC Food Expo, HKTDC Hong Kong International Tea Fair, and International Conference & Exhibition of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM), to provide a unique experience for industry players and the public.

Glorious Food The 25th edition of the Food Expo (14-18 August) is expected to attract more than 1,100 exhibitors. To mark the 25th staging of the Expo, celebrity chefs have prepared a selection of 25 dishes, which can now be viewed on the fair’s website. The public have until 8 August to vote for their favourite dishes and stand a chance of winning tickets to the fair as well as tasting the culinary creations (Voting deadline: 5pm on 8 August). This year, the number of group pavilions increases to a total of 14, including new arrivals from the Australian state of New South Wales, the Chinese mainland province of Gansu and Thailand. A variety of seminars and discussions will shed light on the latest culinary trends, with key topics including healthy eating, food branding and new products. The four themes of this year’s Gourmet Zone are: Western Delicacy, Asian Cuisine, Chic & More, and Sweet Delight. The highly popular Night Bazaar will open to public ticket-holders from 7pm to 10pm each evening from 14-17 August, featuring around 60 exhibitors. This year, the Night Bazaar will also include exhibitors from the new HKTDC Home Delights Expo.

Home Delights Expo  

The first staging of the HKTDC Home Delights Expo adds a new dimension for the public. With over 140 brand names taking part, the Home Delights Expo showcases a wide range of lifestyle products ranging from electrical appliances and cookware to bedroom items and bar accessories, including major brands such as: ALESSI, De'Longhi, German Pool, Ladyship, OGAWA, OTO, Philips and ZWILLING J.A. Henckels. A daily Star Chef Cooking Demo will spotlight accomplished chefs and give visitors the chance to watch the professionals in action and also pick up some useful cooking tips. Bargain hunters should also look out for the innovative Smart Bidding Game, adopting two main themes, namely, Smart & Healthy Living and Elegant Living, on August 16 and 17 respectively.

Tea Time of International Tea Fair

Tea Time The HKTDC Hong Kong International Tea Fair (14-16 August) brings a blend of tradition and modernity to the Convention and Exhibition Centre. Apart from showcasing a wide tea range from 10 countries & regions, highlighted zones at the fair include Tea Ware and Tea Craft, as well as others focusing on branding, marketing and testing services for the industry. Highlight events include the International Tea Competition, Tea Tasting Session, Buyer Forum on “Business Opportunities in the US and Southeast Asia”, International KamCha Competition 2014 (Hong Kong Style Milk Tea) and a seminar on “Prospective Way for Sustainable Development – Organic and Fair Trade Tea”. On the final day of the International Tea Fair, the public will be able to enjoy a Tea Forum Series which, among other things, will shed light on some unusual pairings such as “Tea and Music”, “A moment of Tea and Zen”, “Tea with Chinese Medicine for Health”, and “Chinese Tea & Ham”.

Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association

Promoting Chinese medicine The 13th edition of the ICMCM, jointly organised by the HKTDC and the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association, brings together over 130 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. The eight thematic categories cover: Beauty & Fitness; Chinese Medicine; Functional Food & Products; Health Supplement; Health Care & Therapy; Raw Materials, Equipment & Related Services; Research & Development; and Trade Association. A wide variety of innovative products will also be on display including new health foods, supplements and creative solutions that promote the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Prominent speakers from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, Japan, Singapore and Russia will share their knowledge and ideas during the two-day ICMCM Conference on 14-15 August, which takes the theme of “Research and Development on prevention and treatment of Endocrine-metabolic diseases in Chinese Medicine”. The Conference integrates with the 10th International Postgraduate Symposium on Chinese Medicine (15 August) which is coordinated by the Hong Kong Baptist University. The CEO Forum (14 August) will focus on production management of Chinese medicine, with leading industry experts attending the event. On 16 August, the final day of ICMCM 2014, the doors will be open to public ticket-holders to attend the Chinese Medicine Health Public Forum which includes a day-long programme of events that give people a chance to learn more about various aspects of TCM as well as try the latest products on the market.