Hong Kong Secures Three-Year Hosting Deal for Consensus Asia Flagship

Consensus 2025 roundtable session © Provided by HKTB

Hong Kong will host Consensus, the global conference dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and digital assets, for three consecutive years from 2027 to 2029, following a strategic partnership between the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and CoinDesk. The agreement establishes the city as the permanent host of the event’s Asian flagship edition over this period, strengthening its position at the intersection of international finance, emerging technologies and business events.

Announced on 27 October 2026, the partnership follows Consensus Hong Kong’s debut in 2025 and its return in 2026. The next edition, Consensus Hong Kong 2027, will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 1 to 3 February, bringing together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, technology companies, start-ups and industry leaders to explore developments across fintech, digital assets, AI and other emerging technologies.

The agreement reflects Hong Kong’s ambition to attract international business events that connect professional communities and create opportunities beyond the conference itself. For the destination, Consensus offers a platform to strengthen its relationships with the global digital asset and technology sectors while generating activity across tourism, hospitality, retail and professional services.

HKTB x CoinDesk MoU signing ceremony © C.K. Man Photography | Provided by HKTB

A Strategic Platform for Emerging Industries

The three-year agreement formalises Hong Kong’s role as the home of Consensus’s Asian flagship event. The conference is among the established international gatherings focused on blockchain and Web3, bringing together stakeholders from across the financial and technology ecosystems to examine industry developments and potential business opportunities.

For the HKTB, the partnership is intended to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre and innovation hub, while supporting its wider ambition to remain a leading global meetings destination.

HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam 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 event’s programme is also evolving in response to developments across the technology landscape. As AI and digital assets increasingly converge, the organisers plan to give artificial intelligence a more prominent role in the next edition, broadening the conference’s scope and creating further opportunities for exchange between the two sectors.

Consensus Hong Kong Chairman Michael Lau 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.”
 

Humanoid Robot Battle during Consensus Hong Kong 2026 in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, on 11 February 2026 © Isaac Lawrence/Consensus

Extending the Impact Beyond the Conference

Consensus’s contribution to Hong Kong’s business events ecosystem extends beyond its main programme. According to the HKTB, each edition has generated more than 350 accompanying events at venues across the city, including forums, networking receptions, corporate launches, investor meet-ups and start-up activities.

This wider programme distributes activity across multiple locations and brings additional opportunities for interaction between international delegates, local businesses, investors and technology entrepreneurs. It also extends the event’s reach into sectors associated with business travel, including hospitality, dining and other visitor services.

The three-year commitment provides a degree of continuity for Hong Kong’s international events calendar, allowing the destination and organisers to build on the relationships and visibility established through successive editions. For the wider MICE sector, the partnership also illustrates how conferences focused on specialised industries can connect destination promotion with professional networks and cross-sector business opportunities.

The memorandum of understanding was signed at the HKCEC by HKTB Executive Director Anthony Lau and Michael Lau on behalf of the two parties. The ceremony was witnessed by Dr Peter Lam and Sean Whipkey, Institutional Sales Director of Bullish Group, CoinDesk’s parent company, alongside representatives from Hong Kong’s tourism, MICE, fintech and innovation sectors.

With Consensus Hong Kong confirmed through 2029, the partnership gives the city a recurring international platform through which to engage the global AI, blockchain and digital asset communities. Its longer-term value will depend not only on attracting delegates, but also on the extent to which the event translates international participation into lasting business relationships, investment opportunities and broader economic activity.
 

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