In this article, SHIU Lang Chin (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2024-2026) shares her professional experience as a summer intern in the Exhibition and Digital Business Department at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in Hong Kong, China.
About the company
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. It serves as the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers, with a strong focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
HKTDC operates a global network of around 50 offices, including multiple offices in Mainland China, to position Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. Through international exhibitions, conferences and business missions, it creates business opportunities for companies by connecting them with partners and buyers worldwide.
Logo of HKTDC.
Source: the company.
My internship
I joined HKTDC as a summer intern in the Exhibition and Digital Business Department in Hong Kong, which is responsible for organising large-scale trade fairs and public exhibitions. During my internship at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), I joined the Exhibition and Digital Business Department, which is responsible for organising large-scale trade fairs and public exhibitions connecting global enterprises and Hong Kong’s business community. The HKTDC is a statutory body that promotes Hong Kong as an international business hub, with over 30,000 exhibitors and 400,000 trade buyers participating in its annual exhibitions.
The department I served in manages both B2B and B2C events, such as the Hong Kong Book Fair, Sports and Leisure Expo, and World of Snacks, which together attracted over 1 million visitors in 2024. These fairs not only generate significant foot traffic and publicity but also foster cross-sector collaboration and cultural exchange. For instance, the Hong Kong Book Fair alone featured more than 760 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, drawing over 990,000 visitors across seven days at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), with estimated sales revenue exceeding HK$50 million in direct transactions and book sales.
My missions
My main missions were to assist in organising three of HKTDC’s public exhibitions — the Hong Kong Book Fair, World of Snacks, and the Hong Kong Sports & Leisure Expo. I supported the planning, coordination, and on-site execution of these events, including exhibitor liaison, logistics management, and handling visitor enquiries. My responsibilities also involved preparing fair materials, checking booth setups, coordinating with contractors and internal teams, and ensuring each exhibition zone operated smoothly throughout the event period.
In addition to operational tasks, I assisted in marketing and promotional efforts, such as preparing sponsorship materials for the Book Fair Lucky Draw and helping the marketing team create social media posts and reels to attract younger visitors. I also served as an emcee for public seminars and workshops, enhancing event engagement and communication between speakers and the audience. Through these assignments, I gained valuable exposure to event management processes, from preparation to live execution, and developed a deeper understanding of how the HKTDC integrates marketing, logistics, and stakeholder relations to deliver large-scale exhibitions.
Working at an exhibition
Required skills and knowledge
This internship required a combination of soft and hard skills. On the soft-skills side, communication, teamwork, adaptability, and customer orientation were essential, as I interacted with colleagues from different units, exhibitors from diverse backgrounds, and a high volume of visitors within tight time constraints. On the hard skills side, I benefited from having a basic knowledge of marketing and event management, as well as an understanding of how trade fairs support business development and branding.
What I learned
During the internship, I learned how large exhibitions are structured from planning stages to on-site execution and post-event follow-up. I also gained confidence in handling operational issues under pressure, prioritising tasks and communicating clearly with stakeholders who have different expectations and constraints. Ultimately, the experience deepened my interest in marketing, events, and digital business by demonstrating how well-designed exhibitions can create value for both companies and the general public.
Business and economic concepts related to my internship
I present below three business and economic concepts related to my internship: market matching and platforms, experiential marketing, and capacity/operations management. Each helps to understand how HKTDC create value for participants and how my daily tasks are connected to broader economic mechanisms.
Market matching and platforms
HKTDC is a platform that facilitates matching between buyers and sellers, particularly for SMEs looking to reach new markets. Trade fairs reduce search and transaction costs by concentrating information, products and potential partners in one place. In my missions, supporting exhibitor coordination and visitor flow contributed to making this matching process smoother and more efficient.
Experiential marketing
The Hong Kong Book Fair, World of Snacks and the Hong Kong Sports & Leisure Expo are strong examples of experiential marketing in practice. These fairs are not only about selling products; they create immersive experiences through themed zones, demonstrations, workshops and special programmes that engage visitors emotionally and physically. By helping with on-site operations and visitor interactions, I saw how layout, signage, activities and staff behaviour influence the customer journey and can strengthen brand perception and purchase intention.
Capacity and operations management
Large exhibitions require careful capacity and operations management to handle fluctuating visitor numbers while maintaining safety and service quality. Concepts such as peak-load management, queuing, crowd control, and resource allocation are evident in the way entrances, halls, and activity zones are organised. My tasks related to monitoring visitor traffic, guiding flows and coordinating with different teams were directly linked to these operational decisions, which ultimately affect exhibitors’ satisfaction and the overall performance of the event.
Why should I be interested in this post?
For a business student interested in careers related to marketing, events, consulting or trade promotion, an internship at an organisation like HKTDC offers a unique combination of public and private sector exposure. You can observe how strategic objectives are translated into concrete event formats and marketing actions, while developing practical skills in project management, communication, and data-driven decision-making. This type of experience can be a strong asset when applying for roles in event management, business development, corporate marketing or international trade-related positions.
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Useful resources
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
HKTDC Hong Kong Sports & Leisure Expo
About the author
The article was written in December 2025 by SHIU Lang Chin (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (GBBA), 2024-2026).
▶ Read all articles by SHIU Lang Chin.