Hong Kong’s business events industry is calling for action following restrictive changes to the laws governing outdoor event spaces that are on public land. The disputed zones are typically ‘dedicated’ public areas within large commercial developments. The ban on dining and entertaining in these areas stems from the high-profile abuse of the usage terms by businesses illegally charging rental fees for use of the space.

However, lawmakers have overlooked the repercussions for off-site venues located next to public areas, which have traditionally furnished and serviced them while also allowing public use.

Business events
The main source of public outrage is the reduction in outdoor dining options. However the business events industry is also concerned with the potential loss of some of the city’s most popular off-site venues and the lack of clear guidelines surrounding their use.

“These laws will certainly make it harder for us to answer the brief of our clients and this is a great pity,” says Antony Spanbrook, managing director of Luminous. “Often the events we create are part of a large conference with a high percentage of overseas delegates. There is great appeal to get delegates out of the ballroom for the evening’s activities, not to mention the desire to show them Victoria Harbour.”

Common problem
The lack of sizeable outdoor venues is certainly not new to Hong Kong and most operators have become creative in finding interesting alternative solutions. “For events held in Hong Kong between October and March, we see a lot more requests for outdoor venues,” says Claire Saunders, managing director of MCI Hong Kong. “Clients are keen to create a relaxed environment conducive to networking – a cocktail event under the stars, with perhaps a harbour view to set the tone perfectly.”

Natalie Yeung, director of event marketing for JC Group, which oversees several affected venues at IFC Mall, says: “There are very few off-site venues close to the CBD that can host more than 200 people. Before the new laws, we were able to host cocktail events for 300 people, now our maximum capacity is 150.”

Another long-standing issue is the need to apply for special permits – difficult when events have short lead-times. “We work with a lot of international corporations who expect such venues to be readily available and are not in a position to wait for months for licences to be approved,” says Saunders.

Future direction
The path forward is unclear as legislators remain divided over the issue and seem reluctant to act while tensions are high. “Hong Kong needs activity in outdoor spaces and it seems to me that blanket decisions are being followed blindly instead of truly looking at the merits of specific cases,” says Spanbrook.

Yeung agrees, saying that the current permit process is prohibitively complex and drawn out. “One option is a simplified approval process with one point of contact, that allows for objections to be made within a specified timeframe,” she says.

Next month’s financial megaconference, Sibos, may prove a timely catalyst for bringing about some clarity to the new law. “MCI is the appointed groundhandling partner for Sibos and we have received considerable support from HKTB and the Tourism  Commission to make available public areas such as Repulse Bay Beach and the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront,” says Saunders.

“It is important we keep this issue on the agenda so that progress continues to move forwards. If not, then Hong Kong runs the risk of losing out to competitor cities in Asia who may readily recognise and deliver what the corporate events industry wants.”