HKTDC InnoDesignTech Expo Kicks Off

1 December 2016 – Design and innovative technology enhance our lives and add value to business and society. The 12^th edition of the HKTDC InnoDesignTech Expo (IDT Expo) opened today and continues through 3 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The Inspiration Hall (Hall 3D-E) is open to the public free of charge and showcases global designs and inventions, the latest practical technology and design solutions, as well as a range of commercial designs and branding strategy services.

Raymond Yip, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said that popular products tend to involve creative design and cutting-edge technology. Therefore, companies can enhance their competitiveness by adopting new technology in this digital age. With the increasing popularity of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology, the IDT Expo is launching a “AR & VR for Business Zone” this year, giving visitors a first-hand experience of their applications and providing inspiration for entrepreneurs.

Largest-ever IDT Expo welcomes Chicago as the partner city
A record of more than 450 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions have gathered for this year’s IDT Expo. The Inspiration Hall features global designs under the theme of “Urbanovation”, showcasing design and innovation as driving forces for the development of cities and lifestyle trends. The Inspiration Hall is displaying modern lifestyle innovations through exhibits, interactive games and data presentations under the categories of smart architecture, smart infrastructure, smart mobility and smart lifestyle. Innovative designs including the “Checkered Playroom Oasis”, designed by a team from the Department of Architecture at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (booth no.: 3E-B10), Tesla Model X electric vehicle, BMW i8 hybrid electric vehicle, household robot Big-i, as well as a 3D food printer (booth venue: Hall 3E Urbanovation) are on show.

Chicago, one of the most innovative cities in the United States with a vibrant history of design and cultural development, is this year’s partner city of the IDT Expo. The city’s unique design style is in full view under the theme of “Chicago Made”, adding a fresh creative dimension to the fair.

A number of countries and regions with a strong design and innovation culture, including Victoria (Australia), Hessen (Germany), Bali (Indonesia), Chungnam (Korea), Mexico and Southern Sweden have also brought their innovative designs, products and commercial solutions to the expo.

In addition, the IDT Expo features a global awards parade, presenting award-winning entries of international design competitions from the US, Switzerland, Australia and Hong Kong, such as the Spark Design Awards, to showcase how design excellence can change the world. Another thematic zone “Design Without Boundaries” is displaying designs with local flavours from 10 Hong Kong-based international designers, each aiming to tell the story of Hong Kong’s creative strengths.

Eye-opening exhibits from Hong Kong creative talents
Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region* once again sponsors the “Hong Kong Creative Force” Pavilion in the Inspiration Hall. The zone showcases a series of outstanding local creations, including those from the cross-discipline collaborative project “Love Seat” organised by Hong Kong Interior Design Association (HKIDA), where a number of well-known local interior designers each produce a chair from different perspectives under the theme of love. The HKIDA has also collaborated with 13 young designers in the project “Urban Oasis” to survey urban public space and add creative and eye-opening elements to these inconspicuous shared assets. 

Other exhibits include the “Urban Playroom”, which displays a series of design installations and games designed by 21 top local designers to present Hong Kong’s city life. They include award-winning entries of the HK4As Kam Fan Awards 2016, success cases of brand upgrading as well as new media promotions. The Hong Kong Maker Club also returns to the Expo to present the fruits of Hong Kong innovators, such as robots, 3D-printed prosthetics and Sophie IV solar-powered car.

New thematic zones featuring AR and VR experience
The Trade Hall features a number of thematic zones where one-stop commercial solutions using innovative designs and technology are on show. They cover product design, brand promotion strategies as well as the latest AR and VR promotion, providing a comprehensive platform for SMEs seeking ideas on how to transform and upgrade their business.

The all-new “AR & VR for Business Zone” gathers 10 leading local creative media companies showcasing cutting-edge technology. The AR & VR experience area allows visitors to try out the products first-hand, including Microsoft’s HoloLens mixed-reality technology, where users can interact with virtual objects through subtle actions such as sight, sound and gestures via built-in sensors. A number of HoloLens headsets are provided for visitors to try (booth no.: 1C-A02 &1C-A06). Graffiti artists are also showcasing their virtual creations, demonstrating how innovative technology can merge with design ideas while also engaging visitors (booth no.: 1C-B01).

Another highlight, the “3D Printing Solutions Zone” presents the latest 3D Printing technologies, commercial application solutions, hardware support as well as on-site demonstrations, including 3D printing of precious metals, food, prosthesis and printing on various textiles. The “Global Invention Zone” features more than 100 inventions from 15 countries, presenting extraordinary innovations and IP trading business opportunities. The Chinese Innovation And Invention Society from Taiwan is leading 62 exhibitors to the Expo, and will judge their works during the fair period. The results will be announced at the Awards Ceremony of 2016 Hong Kong International Invention and Design Competition on 3 December, acknowledging the achievements of inventors from around the world. Meanwhile, about 60 start-ups have converged at the “Creative and Tech Start-up Zone” to connect with potential business partners and investors.

International creative masters share inspiration
During the fair period, a series of thematic seminars and workshops are arranged under the thematic tracks of “Creativity for Business”, “Innovation for Business” and “Start-up Ventures”. Elite speakers from Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and Hong Kong, including Tommy Li, Creative Director, Tommy Li Design Workshop Limited; Johan Persson, Founder and Creative Director, C’monde Studios Limited; Candice Chan Chao, Founder, J. Candice Interior Architects; Chester Lo, CEO of Asia Pacific, Sun Mobile Communication Limited, and Rudi Leung, Director, Hungry Digital Limited, will discuss issues ranging from brand strategies, experiential marketing, big data and innovative marketing strategies and Urbanovation.

Another highlight of the Expo is “Get in the Ring”, a global start-up competition organised by Retro Spot, where the most promising start-ups pitch and attempt to win over a judging panel with their innovative concepts. The Hong Kong Maker Club will also organise a Robot Boxing League on 3 December (Saturday) at the Inspiration Hall.  The public are invited to watch the contest. The Expo also collaborates with local illustrator Tony Electronic to bring creative and humorous designs to life using 3D printing technology.

Held concurrently with the IDT Expo are the World SME Expo, Hong Kong International Franchising Show and Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum, covering areas of design, technology, entrepreneurship, brand promotion and intellectual property management. These parallel events will generate strong synergy to provide a one-stop value-adding solution for SMEs.

*Disclaimer: Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organizers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Communications and Creative Industries Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

Fair Website: http://www.hktdc.com/fair/innodesigntechexpo-en/

Media Enquiries: Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Joe Kainz     Tel: (852) 2584 4216           Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

Media Registration: Media may register on-site with their business cards and/or media identification.

To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

About the HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.