At the New Year, Hong Kong’s event and exhibition industry was center stage as celebratory fireworks were set off from the roof of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, lighting up the city’s iconic Victoria Harbour. Despite the uncertainties about the global economy, early figures from 2012 reports suggest that Hong Kong’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (M.I.C.E.) industry had something to celebrate, too.

M.I.C.E. arrivals increased by 2.9 percent year on year between January and September 2012, although arrivals from traditional long-haul markets in the Americas and Australasia were down. M.I.C.E. visitors from Europe, Africa and the Middle East increased 3.6 percent year on year, but the greatest growth was from short-haul markets within Asia, including mainland China.

Hong Kong’s established role as a city where East and West meet, network and make deals continues to win over meeting, event and incentive planners. A center for global and regional trade fairs and conventions, the city’s relentless energy and color make it a perennially popular destination that delegates always want to visit.

HONG KONG HAS A MATURE events and exhibition industry, including venues and vendors with the international experience and exposure to tailor events for a diverse mix of global clients. This solid base of professional expertise is now supported by the Hong Kong Tourist Board’s convention bureau, Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong.

As well as suggesting itineraries, short-listing suitable venues and providing neutral advice, MEHK works with hotels and other industry partners to offer Hong Kong Rewards packages for corporate meetings and incentives groups. Depending on the scale of the event, MEHK may assist planners with familiarization tours and site inspections.

Looking at Hong Kong’s infrastructure, the strengths of its hardware are clear. The premier downtown events space is the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Topped by a distinctive aluminum roof inspired by seabirds in flight, the HKCEC provides more than 984,000 square feet of event space within minutes of Hong Kong Island’s major financial, commercial and entertainment districts.

On any given day, the HKCEC hosts exhibitions, seminars, banquets, press conferences and corporate launches, and often is the location for  gigs. More than 5.6 million people attended 1,224 events at the center in the 12 months preceding June 30, 2012.

Connected to HKCEC, the 549-room Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is always abuzz with informal business meetings. The opulent hotel offers 25 flexible event venues for smaller meetings and incentives and has one of the largest ballrooms in Hong Kong. Also enjoying direct access to the HKCEC is the 5-star Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel with 857 deluxe guestrooms plus 14 meeting rooms.

As a relatively compact city, Hong Kong boasts many hotels suitable for small conferences, meetings, C-level gatherings and incentives. On Hong Kong Island, within five minutes by road from the HKCEC, is the sophisticated Island Shangri-La. Located on the top floors of the hotel, Horizon Club rooms are a luxurious retreat for a city incentive, and the plush Horizon Club Lounge on level 56 includes a private meeting room.

In the Central Business District, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and remains one of the best hotels in town. Famed for its superb service, for every event the Mandarin Oriental provides a dedicated function host who will be on hand to help solve any problem. In addition, the Mandarin Oriental has IT butlers on call as well as an array of VIP services and staff if required.

Also in the CBD, in the International Finance Centre, the Four Seasons Hong Kong has made a name for itself hosting financial services industry events. Standout facilities include Michelin-starred restaurants and an expansive spa.

Facing the IFC on the Kowloon side of the harbor is Hong Kong’s tallest building, the International Commerce Centre. The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong on the 102nd through the 118th floors of the ICC joins an impressive selection of 5-star hotels in Kowloon, including the InterContinental Hong Kong, The Langham Hong Kong and The Peninsula Hong Kong. With ferry, rail and road connections to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Hong Kong International Airport, Kowloon’s most elegant hotels are excellent locations for meetings and incentives.

Hong Kong’s second major exhibition venue is located close to Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island. Opened in 2005, AsiaWorld-Expo added 753,000 square feet of exhibition and events venues to Hong Kong and is already an established venue for trade and sourcing fairs. AsiaWorld-Expo benefits from its location next to the airport and the Airport Express railway station plus high-speed ferry services to Macau and destinations in the Pearl River Delta.

The nearest hotels to AsiaWorld-Expo are the Regal Airport Hotel and Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel. Both are popular venues for regional executive meetings and training, especially when time-pressed attendees have only a few hours in Hong Kong. Those with less restricted schedules are able to enjoy the hotels’ 5-star facilities, including a nearby nine-hole golf course, or perhaps discover the less-visited parts of Hong Kong.

FOR PLANNERS LOOKING TO surprise and inspire delegates, Lantau Island — beyond the airport and AsiaWorld-Expo — offers a refreshing choice of venues and activities that even return visitors may not have explored. The largest of Hong Kong’s 236 outlying islands, Lantau is a contrasting mix of purpose-built entertainment, mountains, villages, hiking trails and beaches. The island’s lush landscape is also the backdrop for a few new destination restaurants and hotels.

On the west coast of Lantau, in one of the oldest villages in Hong Kong, Tai O Lookout restaurant at the newly restored Tai O Heritage Hotel is a new dining destination for smaller groups. In contrast, the east coast of Lantau is home to Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel. Opened in 2005, the 68-acre property is smaller than other Disney resorts, but its two hotels’ extensive event space and gardens provide spacious venues for gala company gatherings.

D’Deck at Discovery Bay, Lantau, is a new destination for relaxed small and large group events and dining. Surrounded by mountains, D’Deck’s stylish seaside restaurants offer a choice of international cuisines in Hong Kong’s largest alfresco dining area. Close to a golf club and marina, D’Deck also organizes small events on board The Bounty, a replica European tall ship. In 2013, Auberge, a 117-room resort, opens nearby, extending venue choices further.

For a thrilling start to a day of meetings, training or an incentive event, head to Tung Chung and the starting point for the Ngong Ping cable car. The 27-minute cable-car journey offers sweeping views of mountains and the South China Sea en route to Ngong Ping Village. Built in the style of a traditional Chinese village, Ngong Ping has indoor and outdoor space for meetings, team building or outdoor events. Under the ever-watchful eyes of the serene 112-foot-tall bronze Tian Tan Buddha, the attractions at Ngong Ping Village include traditional teahouses.

From Ngong Ping, visitors can return to Tung Chung by road and be back in the bright lights of Central or Kowloon or at the airport in less than 30 minutes.