The World Ophthalmology Congress 2008 and Evolution – Asia Yoga Conference are due to take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC in June and July 2008, confirming Hong Kong's continuing ability to attract major association events.

The World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC) 2008 will be held from 28 June-2 July, the first time in Hong Kong since its inception in 1857, while Evolution - Asia Yoga Conference, the second edition of the premier annual yoga conference in Asia, will be held from 3-6 July.

HKCEC: Winning big

Frederick Ma, secretary for commerce and economic development at the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, said: “Theses are distinguished conferences and we wish these two events great success and look forward to extending our warmest hospitality to the conference participants.”

The WOC is a world leading biennial ophthalmology event to help facilitate improved treatments that will benefit millions of individuals suffering from eye diseases. More than 1,000 faculty members and 10,000 delegates from over 110 countries are expected to participate in this year's event. The scientific programme will offer ophthalmologists an exceptional opportunity to exchange their ideas and the latest advancements in the field, and further expand their networks and forge future collaboration.

Utilising almost all meeting space at the HKCEC, the five-day congress will feature 1,140 prominent international speakers in 314 scientific sessions covering 28 subspecialty areas in ophthalmology. The WOC 2008 is expecting more than 3,000 participants from Mainland China, a record figure of the event's history.

“We are honoured to bring this prestigious ophthalmology congress to Hong Kong. The strategic location of Hong Kong and the award-winning HKCEC have all the important elements that will help make this a fruitful congress,” said Professor Dennis Lam, president and organising committee chairman of the WOC 2008.

Evolution, the largest annual yoga conference in Asia, is dedicated to promoting the general understanding of yoga and to serving the growing interest in the sport in the region.

Building on the success of the debut conference held in 2007, attended by more than 2,000 delegates, this year the event is expecting to welcome 3,500 yoga lovers from around the world.

“As Asia’s most vibrant world city, Hong Kong perfectly reflects our ambition to extend yoga’s reach throughout this region by bringing some of the most respected teachers from all over the globe to one event,” said Colin Grant, chief executive of Asia Yoga Conference.

“As an ideal host venue, the HKCEC fits the bill. Spacious interiors, centralised location, world-class management, and striking architectural design reiterate the status of Hong Kong and Asia as major players on the international stage. Delegates will appreciate its unique offering of aesthetics and functionality in a city that pulses with the vibe of traditional and contemporary, East-meets-West brilliance."