Updates from Hong Kong: April and May 2024
From our Senior Commercial Officer, Geoffrey Parish
Rain and rising temperatures have not dampened our spirits or made us break out in a sweat as the we roll through the Spring and into Summer. The year is flying fast, but our team is keeping pace and we’ve had a number of highly productive initiatives over the last couple of months – and much more to come that we hope is of interest to our readers!
We kicked off April with the Rugby Sevens and were thrilled to host the USA Rugby Women’s and Men’s Teams for a reception at the Consul General’s Residence. Kudos to both teams and it was great to see the Women’s Team secure 2nd Place this year! Later in the month, we were excited by the visit of U.S. Green Building Council Founder David Gottfried, who came to Hong Kong on a U.S. State Department funded speaking tour focused on sustainable building technology and practices. The U.S. Commercial Service team lined up some key meetings for him, and his visit helps set the stage for our planned Design & Construction Trade Mission to Hong Kong, taking place in October 2024. We also worked with the United Parcel Service to help organize the UPS Forum on Supply Chain Resilience, which showcased UPS’ toolkit and best practices learned from the pandemic on supply chain related issues. In May, we supported the University of Chicago Francis and Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong on a networking reception for local and international secondary schools in Hong Kong in order to better connect these academic entities with one of the world’s leading universities – which happens to have a campus here in Hong Kong! It was an excellent evening and a great opportunity to showcase all that the university has to offer.
And finally, we’re fast approaching the 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit, taking place June 23-26 in National Harbor, Maryland (just outside Washington, DC). We’re thrilled to have a robust and diverse delegation of Hong Kong companies joining us this year – everything from innovative Tech Start-Ups looking to the U.S. market for the first time as they go global, to seasoned investors with broad and deep experience in the U.S. marketplace, but who want to learn more about how they can further invest in the U.S. and hear firsthand from our senior leadership about what we’re doing to attract additional inbound investment. It’s not too late to register here: www.selectusasummit.us and we hope you can join us!
Upcoming Commercial Service Events
 Fintech Trade Mission Informational Webinar, June 12, 2024
Get ready for the U.S. Fintech Trade Mission Informational Webinar about Hong Kong and Thailand on June 12! This session will introduce the upcoming U.S. Fintech Trade Mission to Hong Kong and Thailand October 28-November 1, organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, designed to help U.S. companies explore opportunities in these markets. The webinar will feature three guest speakers who will provide insights into Hong Kong and Thailand, two major financial hubs in Asia, and highlight the upcoming Hong Kong Fintech Week, which gathers top leaders in finance and technology. This briefing is a perfect first step for refining market strategies, building industry contacts, and exploring investment opportunities.
Companies specializing in mobile banking, E-wallets, InsurTech, WealthTech, Regulatory FinTech, Sustainable Finance, and related sectors, should consider joining the webinar and the trade mission. To register for the webinar, please scan the QR code or register here. Please reach out to Nicole Yan for more information.
 Design & Construction Trade Mission to Southeast Asia Informational Webinar, June 13, 2024
Join the U.S. Commercial Service for an exciting Webinar on the Design and Construction Business Development Mission to Hong Kong, Taipei, and Ho Chi Minh City (Oct 28th – Nov 1st, 2024). Discover how this mission can unlock new opportunities for your business!
Discussion Topics: Get ready to dive into a wealth of opportunities with local officials and potential business partners across three dynamic cities. Our webinar will cover:
- Green Building Technologies & Standards
- Sustainable Design & Resilient Infrastructure
- Advanced Building Materials
- Retrofitting & Refurbishment
- Recycling & Circular Economy
- Construction Robotics & Automation
- Safety
- Digital Technology & PropTech
Click here to register. Cost: Free / Location: Virtual / Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 between 9:30am to 10:30am (CST) / Contact Frantz.Eysallenne@trade.gov if you any questions.
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.
 Superzoo, August 14-16, 2024
North America’s largest pet retail event, Superzoo is back in Las Vegas from August 14-16, 2024. Organized by the World Pet Association since 1950, Superzoo attracts pet industry professionals globally. The U.S. Commercial Service is inviting delegates from Hong Kong to join our delegation and enjoy exclusive show benefits offered to U.S. Commercial Service delegates.
The 330,000 square feet show floor will feature pet products of all kinds from more than 1,100 exhibitors with dedicated sectors on Natural and Health, Emerging Brands, and Specialty and Lifestyle products. Attendees can explore the latest pet products, discover trends, and enhance their retail and wholesale offerings.
For more information, please contact Commercial Specialist, Natalie Tong.
Greater New York Dental Meeting, November 29- December 4,2024
Celebrating a century of dentistry excellence! The Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM) is the U.S.’s largest dental convention and event. Happening from November 29 till December 4, GNYDM is back at the Jacobs Javits Convention Center in New York.
Attracting dental professionals from more than 160 countries globally, this show features best-in-class in the industry. With over 265 seminars and hands-on workshops, the event is intended to cater to all diverse needs, multi languages, and skill levels. As many as 1,000 exhibitors have committed to the show, ready to unveil new treatments and innovative products.
If you are in the practice, please consider joining our U.S. Commercial Service delegation to the show. Contact Natalie Tong for more information.
Recent Highlights
Natural Product Expo West, March 4-7, 2024
Our own Natalie Tong led a very successful delegation from Hong Kong to the Natural Product Expo West (NPEW) March 13-16, 2024. The show has always been popular amongst local natural and organic food practitioners and businesses. With over 2,200 exhibitors, the show was attended by 60,000 participants globally. This year, the delegates who attended the show with the U.S. Commercial Service were treated to a special site trip to the iHerb Fulfillment Centre at Perris, a two-hour drive from Anaheim.
Delegates were given a tour of the iHerb facilities where they saw how products moved from order placements to shipping. Many of the delegates to participated commented that was one of the highlights from attending the show this year.
Visit USA Breakfast Briefing, March 19, 2024
The U.S. Commercial Service partnered with Brand USA , LA Tourism, United Airlines and Disney Destination to host a breakfast briefing at the American Club for local tour operators. With the resumption of United Airlines’s daily direct flight to Los Angeles in October last year, we wanted to take this opportunity to provide trade partners with new information and updates on Los Angeles.
This year IPW, which is the largest travel trade show in the U.S. will attract more than 5,700 buyers globally. As travel was halted during COVID, many of the trade partners were keen to obtain new information about new attractions in Los Angeles. We also invited our Consular representative to provide updates on non-immigration visas.
We look forward to working closely with our trade partners to develop new programs for Hong Kong travelers keen to discover the U.S. for the first time and as well as returning travelers.
U.S. Educational Institution Speed Dating Event, March 20, 2024
The U.S. Commercial Service organized the U.S. Education Institution Speed Dating event on March 20. The event connected Hong Kong education agents and schools with five U.S. universities, including Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Ball State University, Tacoma Community College, Ohio Wesleyan University, and New York Film Academy. The exchange of insights and ideas from both sides can foster a better understanding of recruiting Hong Kong students to study in the USA.
UPS Forum on Supply Chain Resilience, April 22, 2024
United Parcel Service (or UPS), the largest package delivery company worldwide, partnered with the U.S. Commercial Service Hong Kong to organize a forum on Supply Chain Resilience. Hosted at the HKGCC (Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce), a full room of attendees were treated to an educative and interactive afternoon with remarks from the U.S. Deputy Consul General Colin Crosby, to a vigorous speech from Mr. Zhang Shaogang, Vice Chairman of the CCPIT (China Council for the Promotion of International Trade) and to a panel discussion with supply chain experts from Lenovo, Johnson&Johnson, CFL Enterprise and UPS. The forum ended with drinks allowing the guests to network and relax.
If you are in the Supply Chain / Logistics business, please reach out to our commercial specialist Michael Wajntal at michael.wajntal@trade.gov.
2024 HKMHDIA Medtech Forum, April 17, 2024
The Hong Kong U.S. Commercial Service was honored to support the Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Industries Association (HKMHDIA) on organizing their annual Medtech forum this year. We helped the association to identify suitable U.S. companies to showcase their products and services to the local medical devices industry.
We managed to secure a speaking opportunity for Glaukos to introduce their latest treatment for glaucoma during the Medtech & Innovation Showcase. At the U.S. Commercial Service booth, we successfully recruited two companies, Elixir Medical and Subtle Medical to exhibit their products at our U.S. Commercial Service booth.
We look forward to future partnerships with HKMHDIA and to play an active role to helping U.S. companies successfully launch their products here in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
WasteExpo, Las Vegas, May 6 – 9, 2024
Our own Michael Wajntal attended WasteExpo 2024 along with eight Hong Kong delegates. Our Hong Kong companies was able to interact with over 500 exhibitors, find innovative waste solutions, and learn all about the newest trends and advancements in recycling and waste treatment.
The Hong Kong delegation was also invited to visit 2 sites: the North Las Vegas Recycling Center (operated by Republic Services) and the Las Vegas Livestock LLC food scrap feeding facility. Our delegates were able to see firsthand how food waste is processed and fed to livestock.
The U.S. Commercial Service is committed to bringing more Hong Kong companies to the U.S. via shows and conferences. Please reach out if you want to know more.
University of Chicago, Hong Kong, Educational Leadership Mixer Event, May 16, 2024
The U.S. Commercial Service organized an Educational Leadership Mixer for The University of Chicago Francis and Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong. Over 50 secondary and international school principals and counselors attended the event to connect with the university, which introduced its Data Science Summer Academy program to High School students in Hong Kong July 22 to August 9, 2024.
NAFSA, New Orleans, May 28 to May 31
Our own Timothy Zee attended the NAFSA event from May 28-30, 2024. NAFSA is a well-known event among U.S. educational institutions and businesses. The event attracted hundreds of exhibitors and participants from around the world. NAFSA brings together many exhibitors, including academic institutions, consulting firms, and pathway providers, representing various aspects of international education.
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