Updates from Hong Kong: March 2024 

From our Senior Commercial Officer, Geoffrey Parish

Hot off the heels of the Lunar New Year, our team has been extremely busy managing trade missions, ramping up outreach for the SelectUSA Summit happening in June (more info below), and preparing for some major U.S.-based and local trade events.

We capped off February with a very successful Alternative Asset Certified Trade Mission, which we co-organized with our partners from TradeMissions.org.   This has been a hugely successful, global program that has visited 17 countries over the last 10 years, organized over 70 trade missions for 400 funds and 3,000 local investors. Hong Kong is one of only two markets in which we hold these events twice per year, a testament to the importance of connecting U.S. funds with prospective investors here and Hong Kong’s position as finance center.

The first week of March, our team is hosting a SelectUSA Tech Pitching Competition, and the winner will receive a comprehensive prize package to help with their expansion into the United States, including a complimentary ticket to the SelectUSA Investment Summit.  We had over 70 applicants for the Pitch Competition, so narrowing down such a large group of innovative startups proved extremely difficult.  We finally settled on a finalist list of 11 innovative startups, and we look forward to hearing their pitches soon!   

We also recommend that women entrepreneurs join us for the SelectUSA Global Women in Tech program, a year-long mentorship program geared towards international women founders and executives in the tech sector. Please reach out to our team to find out more about our Select USA outreach programs and attending the event.

We are inviting companies to attend various other events in the following sectors:

Media & Entertainment: the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas.

Medical Technologies: HKMHDIA Medtech Forum in Hong Kong and the Florida International Medical Expo (FIME) in Miami

Education: The 2024 NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo

Travel & Tourism: IPW 2024 in Los Angeles

Gaming: G2E Asia in Macau

Waste Management/Environmental Technologies: WasteExpo in Las Vegas.

Web3/Blockchain/Fintech: the Consensus 2024 conference in Austin

Thanks again for being great partners and friends to the U.S. Commercial Service and our efforts to expand trade ties between the United States and the Hong Kong and Macau markets.  Wishing everyone a great start to the Spring season, and we hope you enjoy reading about our programs and initiatives below!

Upcoming Commercial Service Events

2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit, June 23-26, 2024

The 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit returns to National Harbor, Maryland from June 23 – 26, 2024. It is the biggest foreign investment event of the year where companies get to connect with thousands of investors, companies, economic development organizations (EDOs), and industry experts. If investing in the U.S. is on the horizon, take advantage of this event to get the support your company needs.

Register today and take advantage of the Early Bird Rate: USD $1,100. The application deadline is March 15, 2024. Click here to Apply.

In preparation for this year’s summit, we are co-hosting a training session on March 15 with AmCham in Hong Kong. This session will a panel of experts in immigration, tax, and policy regulation, offering valuable insights and advice on crafting your successful U.S. investment strategies. To register, click here or contact Boris Meyer.

Successful Practices and Considerations for Investing in the United States, March 15, 2024

The 2023 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index by Kearney’s Global Business Policy Council has once again positioned the United States as the top destination for global investment. This session aims to provide clarity on the U.S. investment climate for Hong Kong and Chinese business executives.

The session will host a panel of experts with specializations in tax, immigration, and federal regulatory review processes pertinent to foreign investments. These experts will provide invaluable insights for anyone contemplating an investment in the United States.

This session is recommended for:

• Companies aiming to establish, expand, or scale their operations in the United States.
• Tech startups planning to launch in the United States.
• Representatives from all industries are welcome.

Register for this complimentary event here.

NAB Show, April 13 - 17, 2024

The NAB Show, also known as the National Association of Broadcasters Show, is an annual event that brings together professionals from the media, entertainment, and technologies industries to explore the latest advancements in broadcasting and content creation April 13-17, 2024. This is a huge show with over 100,000 attendees and 1,700 exhibitors. If you are from the media and broadcasting sectors and would like to join the U.S. Commercial Service delegation, please reach out to Nicole at nicole.yan@trade.gov for details.

HKMHDIA Medtech Forum 2024, April 17,2024

The U.S. Commercial Service is working with the Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association to identify export-ready U.S. medtech companies who are keen to introduce their products to Hong Kong and the Greater Bay area to participate in this year’s April 17, 2024 HKMHDIA Medtech Forum 2024. Companies are given 15 minutes to showcase their solutions under the Medtech & Innovation Session during the during the 1-day event.

This year’s theme is Automation and Big Data Informatics in Clinical Settings is expected to draw industry professionals, hospitals and clinics, service providers, government officers, medical, media, and investors.  Jointly organized with the Hong Kong Science Park, this is a great opportunity for companies to introduce their latest innovations to the Hong Kong healthcare sector.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please get in touch with Natalie Tong, Healthcare Specialist at the U.S. Commercial Service

IPW, the U.S’ largest inbound travel trade show, May 3-7, 2024 

With wanderlust on high gear again, it makes perfect sense to attend the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2024 in Los Angeles, California from May 3 till 7. IPW 2024 has confirmed the participation of more than 1,200 travel exhibitors and destination organizations.

As part of the delegation, attendees will get up to 42 prescheduled appointments with exhibitors representing destinations, hotels, attractions, and transportation companies.  The U.S Travel Association will provide lodging at the assigned hotel for five nights.  Additionally, your registration includes all meals and networking functions, which are an official part of IPW.

If you are a travel agent interested in promotion U.S. as a holiday destination or travel media wanting to rediscover the U.S., please contact Natalie Tong to learn about the conference.

WasteExpo, May 6-9, 2024 

WasteExpo is North America’s largest solid waste, recycling, organics and sustainability tradeshow serving both the private and public sectors. It will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 6-9, 2024. From connecting with 13,000 of your peers to doing business with 600+ exhibitors, it’s an event that cannot be missed.

We are actively recruiting companies to be a part of the Hong Kong delegation. Benefits of joining the delegation include complimentary exhibition hall admission, discounted premium package education program fees, complimentary ticket to the International Reception WasteExpo, complimentary ticket to the Welcome Reception, pre-arranged and facilitated briefings and meetings with U.S. exhibitors, and complimentary use of the International Business Center for B2B meetings.

If you are interested in being a part of this meaningful delegation, please contact Michael Wajntal at michael.wajntal@trade.gov to learn.

NAFSA 2023 Annual Conference & Expo, May 28-31, 2024

NAFSA, the world’s largest association dedicated to international education and exchange, is holding the 2024 NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo from May 28-31, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana.  International educators from more than 100 nations will discover the latest innovations, proven strategies, and best practices at NAFSA 2023.

If you are planning to attend or have already registered for NAFSA 2024, please connect with Timothy Zee to help optimize your trip.  For more information on education in Hong Kong, please visit our Country Commercial Guide.

Consensus 2024, May 29-31, 2024

The Consensus 2024 event, presented by CoinDesk, is scheduled to take place in Austin, Texas from May 29-31, 2024. It is the world’s largest and most influential gathering that brings together all sides of the cryptocurrency, blockchain, traditional finance, AI and Web3 community to share the latest insights and debate the future of the industry.

The U.S. Commercial Service is recruiting a delegation of Hong Kong and Macau companies to attend the show. As a delegate, the registrant is entitled to a free pass worth USD2,800 (Pro Pass). To express your interest, please fill out the following form.

Florida International Medical Expo (FIME), June 19-21,2024

Hong Kong and Macau companies are invited to the Florida International Medical Expo (FIME), one of the largest healthcare trade shows in the United States.  Taking place at the Miami Beach Convention Center near the world-renowned South Beach, you can meet with 1,100 exhibitors who will be showcasing their latest medical equipment and solutions.

As a delegate with the U.S. Commercial Service, you will receive VIP status throughout the show. You will be given access to FIME Online two weeks prior to the show to connect with potential partners and speakers, enjoy travel and accommodation discounts, access to the International Business Center, attend exclusive networking events, VIP seating to the Inno8 Pitch Competition and welcome cocktail event. Please connect with Natalie Tong for more information.

G2E Asia 2024, June 04-06, 2024

The Macau gaming industry presents exciting opportunities for the gaming industry. It is the largest gaming market in the world generating about three times of Vegas’s revenue. In 2023, the government renewed 10-year gaming license to 6 operators including MGM, Venetian and, Wynn Resort.

Organized by the American Gaming Association and Reed Exhibitions,  G2E Asia (Global Gaming Expo) is an annual event for gaming professionals to discuss opportunities and access the industry’s challenges. U.S. companies that specialize in gaming equipment, accessories, platforms, gaming compliance and consultants should consider attending this 3- day event at the Venetian from June 4-6, 2024.  Please contact Timothy Zee to learn how your company can new opportunities in this sector.

Recent Highlights

Arab Health, Jan 29 – Feb 2, 2024

Healthcare Commercial Specialist Natalie Tong recently attended Arab Health 2024 in Dubai last month along with 15 other specialists. Arab Health is now one of the largest annual healthcare events globally having successfully attracted more than 130,000 international attendees.

GBA International Sports Business Summit, Feb 23, 2024

Paul Frost and Nicole Yan attended the inaugural GBA International Sports Business Summit. It is a premier event that brings together top industry executives, athletes, and stakeholders to discuss and analyze the latest trends and developments in the global sports business landscape. Greater Bay Area (GBA) consists of nine cities in Guangdong (Mainland China), Macau SAR and Hong Kong SAR. With a population of 70 million plus and a combined regional GDP of US$1.9 trillion, GBA is the engine of East Asia’s economic growth.

ReThink Reception hosted at the Deputy Consul General’s Residence, Feb 29, 2024

The U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) organized an evening reception for ReThink HK – one of best attended sustainable business conference and expo in the city – gathering 40 top-level executives from different industries, ranging from banking to media, logistics, construction and healthcare; showing the support American MNCs are giving to sustainability and environmental causes. Such gatherings are important to encourage the formation of meaningful partnerships, to inspire organizational change for a sustainable environment and the USCS is proud to be able to contribute as a connector.