World-Class Venue Excellence Recognised on the Global Stage, Bringing Further Recognition to Hong Kong's MICE Industry

HONG KONG, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) has been named Best Convention Centre at the prestigious C&IT Awards 2026 in the UK, becoming the only Hong Kong representative to win an award across all categories this year. Renowned for its versatile venue configurations, outstanding project management capabilities and innovative event experiences, AWE has once again earned international recognition for its excellence. The accolade not only underscores AWE's standing as a world-class event venue, but also highlights Hong Kong's competitive edge in hosting international conferences, exhibitions and major events.

The C&IT Awards 2026 ceremony took place in London on 23 October. Organised by Conference & Incentive Travel (C&IT), a leading UK MICE industry publication, the awards recognise outstanding achievements in the sectors of professional meetings, incentive trips, conferences, corporate events and related services. This year's judging panel comprised 24 seasoned industry experts from across event planning and production, venue management, hospitality, tourism and marketing. Entries were assessed on factors including venue differentiation, innovation, visitor experience and future development strategies, with particular emphasis on the value delivered to event organisers. Following its recognition by the C&IT Awards in 2022, AWE has once again received this prestigious international industry accolade.

Beyond Venue Provision: Demonstrating World-Class Event Delivery Capabilities

AWE offers far more than event space. By combining flexible venue configurations, cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovative thinking, the venue works closely with organisers to transform event concepts into distinctive experiences. For its award entry, AWE showcased two signature events — the 92nd UFI Global Congress and the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show — demonstrating its versatility in delivering everything from international conferences to major sporting events.

The UFI Global Congress brought together more than 600 exhibition industry leaders and professionals from around the world, providing an important platform for Hong Kong to showcase its appeal as a destination and its capabilities as an exhibition hub to the global MICE community. AWE incorporated local culture and city exploration into the conference experience, extending professional exchange beyond the venue and enabling delegates to discover first-hand Hong Kong's distinctive appeal as an international MICE destination. This helped create new opportunities for Hong Kong to attract future international business events.

Held at AWE for two consecutive years, the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show demonstrated the team's expertise in managing complex, large-scale projects. Through meticulous logistics planning and venue transformation, the team converted the exhibition halls into an international-standard equestrian arena within a tight timeframe. The event also brought together sport, retail, dining and entertainment to deliver a diverse and immersive event experience. The show will return to AWE in January 2027, continuing its legacy as a world-class equestrian event.

Multiple Accolades Affirm the Strength of Both the Venue and Its Team

In addition to winning Best Convention Centre at the C&IT Awards 2026, AWE has recently received recognition across various regions and professional categories. These accolades include Best Convention Centre – Northeast Asia at the M&C Asia Stella Awards and Best Convention & Exhibition Centre in China at the TTG China Travel Awards.

In sustainability, AWE has been recognised by A Greener Future (AGF), becoming the first venue in Asia-Pacific to receive its internationally recognised sustainability certification. In the 2026 GRESB Infrastructure Assessment, AWE also became the first MICE venue in Asia to receive a GRESB rating, marking another milestone in its sustainability journey. Together, these achievements reflect AWE's commitment to sustainable development and its standing in the international events industry.

Ms Irene Chan, Chief Executive Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo, said: "We are proud to be the only Hong Kong representative to receive an award at this year's C&IT Awards. This accolade recognises not only the professionalism and creativity of the AWE team, but also the trust and support we have consistently received from event organisers and industry partners.

"We believe the value of a world-class venue extends far beyond providing space. It lies in working hand in hand with organisers to turn creative ideas into outstanding event experiences. AWE will continue to leverage Hong Kong's unique position as a dual gateway connecting Chinese mainland and the rest of the world, while capitalising on the opportunities presented by the GBA to attract more international events to Hong Kong.

With our Phase 2 development progressing at full pace, we look forward to offering larger-scale and more diversified facilities to help organisers realise their most innovative event concepts, injecting fresh momentum into Hong Kong's mega-event economy."

Pioneering a Dual-Stage Experience Across Land and Sea

AWE continues to push the boundaries of traditional exhibition venues. At the upcoming The Festival of Connoisseurs (TFOC) on 4-6 November, AWE will introduce an innovative dual-stage experience across land and sea, extending luxury connoisseurship experiences from indoor exhibition halls to the outdoor waterfront. The specially developed AWE Waterfront will provide a spectacular setting for luxury yachts to be showcased against a stunning seascape, complementing the display of exceptional treasures indoors. This distinctive experience will offer visitors a seamless blend of exhibition showcases and waterfront scenery.

This pioneering initiative demonstrates the potential of integrating AWE's indoor facilities with its surrounding spaces, opening up new possibilities for organisers to create more diverse and engaging event formats.

Phase 2 Opens Up New Opportunities for Major Events

AWE's Phase 2 development is progressing at full pace, with construction targeted for completion by the end of 2028. At its heart will be Hong Kong's largest flagship indoor multi-purpose arena, with a capacity of more than 20,000, providing a new stage for international performances, major events and top-tier sporting competitions.

Upon completion, AWE's exhibition space will increase from approximately 70,000 square metres to 100,000 square metres, complemented by additional outdoor event space and seamless connectivity with the existing Phase 1 facilities. These larger-scale and more diversified facilities will further strengthen AWE's ability to host major and multi-format events, creating greater opportunities for organisers and attracting more international events to Hong Kong. This will help reinforce Hong Kong's position as Asia's events capital.

Download hi-res photos: https://www2.asiaworld-expo.com/2026/PressRelease/CIT.zip