Key guests pose for a group photo after the signing ceremony. They include (back row, from left) Ms Marilyn Tham, HKTB General Manager of Mega Events, MICE & Cruise; Ms Joanne Chu, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism; Dr Peter Lam, HKTB Chairman; Mr Sean Whipkey, Institutional Sales Director of Bullish Group, CoinDesk’s parent company; Dr Hon Johnny Ng, Legislative Council Member of the HKSAR; Ms Fanny Yeung, Executive Director, Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong; and Mr Anthony Lau, HKTB Executive Director (front left); and Mr Michael Lau, Consensus Hong Kong Chairman (front right).
Hong Kong Tourism Board and CoinDesk sign a three-year agreement to host Consensus Hong Kong through 2029, attracting international technology, finance and digital asset professionals.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has signed a three-year strategic partnership with CoinDesk to secure Consensus Hong Kong as the city’s flagship Asian conference for artificial intelligence, blockchain and digital assets from 2027 to 2029. Announced on 27 October 2026, the agreement reinforces Hong Kong’s ambitions as an international meetings and exhibitions destination. It also aims to attract high-value business visitors, generate additional tourism spending and strengthen connections between the city’s financial, technology and hospitality sectors.
- HKTB and CoinDesk have signed a three-year agreement to host Consensus Hong Kong annually from 2027 to 2029.
- The next edition will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 1 to 3 February 2027, with artificial intelligence becoming a major programme theme.
- Previous editions generated more than 350 associated events each, extending business and networking activities into hotels, venues and hospitality establishments across Hong Kong.
Hong Kong secures a three-year agreement for Consensus
The partnership establishes a longer-term relationship between HKTB and CoinDesk, the international media, events, indices and data platform serving the digital asset economy. Under the agreement, the organisations will collaborate on three consecutive editions of Consensus Hong Kong, beginning in February 2027.
HKTB Executive Director Anthony Lau and Michael Lau, Chairman of Consensus Hong Kong, signed the memorandum of understanding at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The ceremony took place in the presence of Dr Peter Lam, Chairman of HKTB, and Sean Whipkey, Institutional Sales Director of Bullish Group, CoinDesk’s parent company.
Representatives from Hong Kong’s tourism, MICE, financial technology and innovation sectors also attended. The agreement follows the conference’s debut in the city in 2025 and its second edition in 2026, providing a longer planning horizon for organisers and local partners.
Consensus strengthens Hong Kong’s international MICE positioning
Consensus brings together policymakers, investors, technology companies, entrepreneurs and industry leaders involved in digital finance and emerging technologies. Its programme combines conference discussions with networking, product launches and business development opportunities, attracting participants from international markets.
Dr Peter Lam, Chairman of HKTB, said:
“Consensus Hong Kong is far more than a major international industry event. It is an important platform for exchange, collaboration and new business opportunities. We are delighted to establish a long-term strategic partnership with CoinDesk, making Hong Kong the continued home of Consensus’ Asian flagship event. This is a strong vote of confidence in Hong Kong from the global industry and underscores the city’s pivotal role as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘super value-adder’ between the country and the world. Bringing key stakeholders from the global fintech, Web3 and digital asset ecosystems to Hong Kong will help further sharpen the city’s competitive edge as an international innovation and technology centre, an international financial centre and the World’s Meeting Place. This partnership will draw more high value-added business visitors to Hong Kong, boosting our tourism, hotel, dining, retail and professional services sectors, among others, and further amplifying the economic benefits of the event.”
The agreement forms part of HKTB’s efforts to position Hong Kong as a destination for major international conferences and exhibitions. Furthermore, securing a recurring event provides opportunities for hotels, venues and professional service providers to develop longer-term relationships with organisers and participants.
Consensus Hong Kong 2027 places artificial intelligence at the centre
The next edition will take place from 1 to 3 February 2027 at HKCEC, with the exhibition scheduled for 2 and 3 February. Artificial intelligence will feature prominently alongside blockchain, digital assets and financial technology, reflecting the event’s expanding industry focus.
According to CoinDesk, the 2026 edition attracted more than 10,000 attendees, 400 speakers and representatives of 1,000 companies. The organiser is targeting approximately 10,000 participants from more than 100 countries for 2027, indicating the international scale of the event.
Michael Lau, Chairman of Consensus Hong Kong, said:
“Since its debut in 2025, Consensus Hong Kong has received an enthusiastic response from the industry. With its international business environment, comprehensive infrastructure and connectivity to both Chinese Mainland and global markets, Hong Kong is a natural home for the event. As digital assets and AI increasingly converge, we are expanding next year’s programme to make AI a core theme alongside digital assets. Together with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, we look forward to welcoming more participants from around the world over the next three editions, fostering collaboration across both sectors and further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a leading hub for innovation and technology in Asia.”
For conference organisers and destination stakeholders, the inclusion of AI broadens the event’s appeal beyond traditional blockchain audiences. It may also create opportunities to attract professionals from corporate technology, investment and institutional finance.
More than 350 side events extend the benefits across the city
The economic significance of Consensus Hong Kong extends beyond the main conference venue. According to HKTB, each of the previous two editions generated more than 350 associated events across the city, including networking receptions, corporate launches, investor meetings and start-up activities.
These gatherings create additional demand for event spaces and related services. Meanwhile, participants travelling internationally may use hotels, restaurants, transport providers and retail establishments during their stay, distributing visitor expenditure beyond the conference itself.
The event’s international profile also provides opportunities for Hong Kong’s hospitality and professional services businesses to engage with technology companies and investors. For example, hotels and venues may benefit from corporate meetings and private events organised alongside the principal conference programme.
However, the announcement does not provide independently verified estimates of visitor expenditure or the total economic impact of previous editions. Consequently, the number of associated events should be treated as an indicator of activity rather than a direct measure of economic contribution.
What does the three-year partnership mean for Hong Kong’s tourism industry?
The decision to retain Consensus Hong Kong through 2029 offers several strategic opportunities for the city’s MICE sector. First, a recurring international event supports forward planning for accommodation providers, meeting venues and destination management companies. It also creates opportunities for businesses to develop services tailored to a specialised international audience.
Second, the conference strengthens links between business tourism and Hong Kong’s wider financial and technology industries. This connection is relevant to the city’s ambition to attract visitors who travel primarily for meetings, investment discussions and professional collaboration rather than leisure alone.
Moreover, major technology conferences can introduce first-time business visitors to a destination. Those visitors may subsequently return for corporate meetings or leisure travel, although the announcement provides no figures demonstrating such conversion for Consensus attendees.
For international MICE organisers, the agreement also illustrates how destinations can use partnerships with established event brands to secure recurring business. However, the long-term benefits will depend on attendance, international participation, visitor spending and the commercial opportunities created around each edition.
Hong Kong builds a longer-term platform for international business events
The partnership supports Hong Kong’s broader strategy of combining tourism promotion with its established financial services and innovation sectors. By hosting Consensus over three consecutive years, the city aims to strengthen its visibility among global technology companies, investors and business event organisers.
Meanwhile, the conference’s network of associated activities offers opportunities for hotels, event venues, restaurants and local service providers to participate in the programme. The three-year arrangement could also encourage greater coordination between the tourism industry and technology sector stakeholders.
With the 2027 edition scheduled for 1–3 February, HKTB and CoinDesk are preparing the next phase of Consensus Hong Kong’s development. The agreement secures the event’s Asian flagship presence through 2029 and establishes a framework for continued international engagement, business collaboration and MICE tourism development.