Informa Markets partners with Hong Kong Tourism Board to launch “The Festival of Connoisseurs” | News
The Hong Kong Tourism Board and Informa Markets held a signing ceremony in Hong Kong today. The ceremony was attended by Dr. Peter Lam, Chairman of the HKTB (back left), and Mr Stephen Carter, Group CEO, Informa Plc (back right). Mr. Anthony Lau, Executive Director of HKTB (front left), and Ms. Margaret Ma Connolly, President and CEO of Informa Markets Asia (front right), signed on behalf of the Memorandum of Understanding. HKTB’s partners and travel industry representatives also attended the ceremony in support of the partnership.
Informa Markets, a leading B2B event organizer, announced on May 27, 2026 the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), in support of the launch of The Festival of Connoisseurs (the “Festival”) in Hong Kong. The Festival of Connoisseurs, which will hold its first edition in November 2026 before expanding into a full-scale festival in 2027, will transform Hong Kong into a living, breathing luxury universe. By signing the MOU, HKTB becomes the first strategic partner for this new initiative.
Introducing the Festival of Connoisseurs: the ultimate luxury lifestyle platform in Asia
The launch of The Festival of Connoisseurs in Hong Kong represents a long-term strategic commitment by Informa Markets to build a definitive platform for luxury shows in Asia. The vision extends far beyond one annual event: the Festival of Connoisseurs will serve as a foundation to introduce even more leading brands to this Hong Kong market in the years to come.
The Festival of Connoisseurs will initially present nine distinct worlds of connoisseurship – Marina, Marque, Vault, Galerie, Passage, Estate, Zenith, Vitalis and Culinaire – each representing a defining pillar of the luxury lifestyle. This universe is designed to be dynamic and expansive; As the festival grows, these worlds will evolve and multiply to encompass even more facets of luxury living.
The Festival of Connoisseurs will build on Informa’s international expertise, networks and partnerships built from its existing market-leading brands, including the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), the world’s largest on-water boat show; Top Marques Monaco, an exclusive international supercar show, and Cityscape, the world’s leading real estate platform, ensure the festival remains at the forefront of the global luxury lifestyle market.
A new paradigm for luxury events: “City as your showroom”
Rather than being a single-location event, the Festival of Connoisseurs takes a ‘City-as-Your-Showroom’ approach: an immersive, multi-day consumer experience taking place in Hong Kong’s most celebrated landmarks and cultural districts.
From the glittering waters of the harbor to the city’s world-class cultural galleries and vibrant lifestyle districts, the city itself becomes the stage. This citywide format is designed to activate Hong Kong’s unique urban geography and world-class infrastructure in ways that no single location could achieve.
The 2026 edition of The Festival of Connoisseurs will serve as an impactful soft launch, paving the way for a full expansion in 2027 with a broader program, a larger international exhibitor base and an even richer portfolio of immersive city experiences.
Supporting Hong Kong’s strategic vision
Hong Kong is a major global hub for the luxury lifestyle market, with the fourth highest concentration of ultra-high net worth individuals worldwide, more than 3,300 single-family offices and a top three world ranking as an art retail center. Combined with its world-class infrastructure and East-meets-West cultural identity as Asia’s ‘super-connector’, Hong Kong is ideally situated to host a festival dedicated to connoisseurship, closely aligned with the Hong Kong SAR Government’s strategic priorities, including the promotion of yacht tourism and the “Tourism is Everywhere” initiative.
By making the yachting and maritime lifestyle a key pillar of the event, the Festival of Connoisseurs directly supports the development of Hong Kong’s yachting economy and enhances the city’s unique maritime heritage to an international audience.
Quotes from key stakeholders
“This partnership is of great significance. It not only elevates Hong Kong’s position as a leading global destination for high-end MICE tourism, but also reaffirms the city’s vital role as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘super value-adder’ between Mainland China and the world. At the same time, the partnership will stimulate the development of Hong Kong’s high-end tourism market and help attract more international brands and high-end visitors to the city. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Tourism Commission, our industry association, partners and stakeholders for their continued support as we work hand-in-hand to advance Hong Kong’s journey as the world’s meeting place.”
—Dr. Peter Lam, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board
“Hong Kong has been at the heart of Informa’s story in Asia for more than three decades. Over that time, we have grown with this city – through its transformations, its resilience and its continued reinvention as one of the most influential business destinations in the world. The decision to launch the Festival of Connoisseurs here is not just a commercial one. It is a profound expression of belief. We believe that Hong Kong is the sovereign gateway between the world’s second largest economy and the world stage, where Eastern prosperity meets Western art. By bringing together the resources, knowledge and expertise of Informa’s global luxury portfolio – from the world’s most prestigious boat shows to the finest jewelry fairs, from Dubai’s exclusive private aviation platforms to Monaco’s spectacular supercar showcases – and anchoring them here in Hong Kong, we are establishing Asia’s definitive long-term luxury show platform.”
— Margaret Ma Connolly, president and CEO of Informa Markets Asia
