By hosting the World Expo 2010 Shanghai has made many improvements in the infrastructure, which are directly noticeable to visitors when they enter the metro station. On arrival by Metro on the EXPO grounds, one is struck by the sheer size. After a brief orientation you will discover a “UFO” which seems to have landed near the glorious Chinese Pavilion, the World Expo Culture Center.
The newly built comprehensive multi-functional hall, which has room for 18,000 people, is operated by the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). In addition, the NBA and the regional company OPG are involved. During the EXPO 2010, the program is set by the EXPO organizers. From 1st November 2010 the operation of the hall, including the programming will be managed by AEG. Areas such as security, cleaning, catering and retail space are outsourced. The Mercedes-Benz-Arena, as the hall will be called after the EXPO, will be mainly used for sports and cultural events, as well as corporate events. During the construction of the arena, all required facilities to host ice hockey matches were included, in addition to the facilities for basketball.
In addition to the actual arena, which is the heart of the centre, the entertainment complex offers a cinema, shops, a music club as well as a number of restaurants to make the visitor's stay as pleasant as possible, says Guy Ngata, General Manager.
After my trip to Shanghai my journey led me to a former British colony, in which I had the possibility to visit the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
You will find Hong Kong’s “small miracle of space” located on the shores of Hong Kong Island. My first impression before entering the building was very positive, but I thought the HKCEC would be relatively small. After a short interesting talk with CEO Cliff Wallace about the association business, the event industry and general events in Duisburg, I was led through the event centre by Katherine Tang. Here it became quite clear that the 5 floors hide more than the silhouette reveals. During three phases, the HKCEC has become what it is today: a miracle of space, whch hardly leaves anything to be desired by the event organizer. However, this seems under-standable, since space is limited. Whether large exhibition spaces, conference or break-out rooms, a theatre or concert hall – everything is available under one roof. Operation is safeguarded due to a team of 800 skilled workers. All services are offered via the HKCEC and even the restaurants on the ground floor are operated by the HKCEC. The management of the multi-functional convention centre, which is located in the centre of Hong Kong, attaches great importance to devoting itself to current issues and so I had the possibility to speak to Catherine Tang on developments in the field of sustainability and to tell her about the current status in Germany and at the EVVC.
www.aegworldwide.com
www.hkcec.com
