The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) successfully hosted LEAP East 2026, the first Asian edition of Saudi Arabia's premier technology conference, marking Hong Kong's largest inaugural tech summit. The three-day event, held from July 14, 2026, utilized over 35,000 square meters across Hall 1 and Hall 3, drawing 25,000 professionals, policymakers, and investors, with 55% from international and Chinese Mainland and 45% local participation.
Organized by Tahaluf, the summit featured 300 startups and 600 investors representing more than US$6.5 trillion in assets under management. HML secured an exclusive three-year deal for LEAP East to return to HKCEC in 2027, reinforcing Hong Kong's leadership in innovation and technology. Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of HML, highlighted the event's success as a demonstration of Hong Kong's role as a super-connector bridging economies, innovation, and cultures. She noted the close collaboration between the Hong Kong SAR and Saudi Arabian governments, and emphasized that HML continues to position HKCEC as a leading platform for industries to showcase achievements and unlock opportunities.
Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf and co-creator of LEAP, described LEAP East as a bridge to the wider technology ecosystem, citing synergies between Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong in AI, FinTech, and other tech sectors. She praised HKCEC's facilities, including halal dining options, bilateral meeting rooms, and prayer facilities, which catered to Saudi visitors and enhanced the event's success.
HML's proactive efforts to introduce Muslim-friendly services earned HKCEC the distinction of being the first venue accredited as a Gold-standard Muslim-Friendly MICE Venue, contributing to LEAP East's smooth execution. The summit's waterfront location at Victoria Harbour provided an iconic backdrop for global networking and collaboration.
The event's conclusion as Hong Kong's largest-ever inaugural technology event underscores the city's strategic importance in the Greater Bay Area and its role as a gateway for Chinese Mainland enterprises to connect internationally. HML expressed gratitude to the government for supporting the convention and exhibition sector, and to Tahaluf for committing to a three-year run in Hong Kong. The success of LEAP East follows a trend of major Asian debuts at HKCEC, with many events showing strong desire to return with larger scale and bigger crowds.
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