Tech event RISE returns to Hong Kong in 2022

The HKTB and Web Summit said it will be an “in-person” event.

Tech conference RISE will be returning to Hong Kong in 2022 as an in-person event, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and Web Summit announced.

“This is a testimony of Hong Kong’s success in containing the pandemic and keeping infection rate among the lowest in the world, thereby giving international event organisers confidence that they can stage their events here safely,” Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau said.

The event was first launched in 2015 and has since hosted five events. It has attracted major tech firms, such as Alibaba, Stripe, Magic Leap, and Sequia Capital China.

Hong Kong, through the HKTB, InvestHK, and AsiaWorld-Expo, will be hosting the event in the next five years. RISE will take place from 14 to 17 March 2022.

“We welcome the return of RISE to Hong Kong for another five years in 2022–2026,” HKTB Chairman YK Pang said.

“The city’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and venues, complemented with a favourable business environment and unique travel experiences, are all part of the equation reflecting Hong Kong’s appeal for international business events.”

Hong Kong boasts a growing and diverse startup economy, the HKTB noted, adding that the number of local start-ups grew by 28% to 3,360 between 2018 and 2020.

In addition, foreign direct investment in 2020 surged by 62% year-on-year to US$119b, making Hong Kong the third largest FDI recipient in the world. Hong Kong also ranked third in the world for ease of doing business, World Bank data showed.