The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) management has celebrated the successful conclusion of LEAP East 2026, the Asian debut of Saudi Arabia's premier technology conference brand, which marked the city's largest inaugural tech summit. Staged over three days at the HKCEC, the event utilized over 35,000 square meters of rentable space across Hall 1 and Hall 3, positioned on the Victoria Harbour waterfront. The summit brought together 300 startups and 600 investors, collectively representing more than US$6.5 trillion in assets under management.
Ms Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of HML, said the resounding success of LEAP East demonstrates Hong Kong's strategic role as a super-connector bridging economies, innovation, capital, and cultures. She highlighted the close collaboration between the governments of Hong Kong SAR and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which made the milestone possible. Ms Lee-Müller noted that HML has welcomed major Asian debuts and city's first-ever events this year, with many expressing a strong desire to return to the HKCEC next year with larger floor space and bigger crowds. She confirmed that LEAP East is among them, as Tahaluf has committed to a three-year run in Hong Kong.
Ms Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf and co-creator of LEAP, described LEAP East as a bridge to the wider technology ecosystem, emphasizing the synergies between Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong in AI, FinTech, and other tech sectors. She praised the HKCEC for its outstanding halal dining options, dedicated bilateral meeting rooms, and prayer facilities, which made it the ideal venue for fostering collaboration and innovation. The HKCEC has been accredited as a Gold-standard Muslim-Friendly MICE Venue, contributing to the event's success.
HML extends sincere thanks to the Government for its unwavering support of the convention and exhibition sector. The HKCEC continues to position itself as a leading platform where diverse industries can demonstrate achievements, exchange insights, and unlock new opportunities. The venue plays a pivotal role in reinforcing Hong Kong's status as the premier MICE hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, serving as a gateway for enterprises from the Chinese Mainland to connect with international partners.
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