Hong Kong to host Consensus flagship conference for three years from 2027
Hong Kong will host the Consensus digital asset and AI conference from 2027 to 2029 under a partnership between the Hong Kong Tourism Board and CoinDesk. The deal aims to boost Hong Kong's innovation hub status and attract high-value business visitors.
Hong Kong will host the Consensus global digital asset and artificial intelligence conference for three consecutive years from 2027 to 2029, following a strategic partnership signed between the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and CoinDesk on 27 October.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the flagship Asian gathering will continue to be staged in the city, beginning with Consensus Hong Kong 2027 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 1 to 3 February. The collaboration is designed to reinforce Hong Kong's standing as an international financial and innovation hub while attracting high-value convention, exhibition, and business visitors.
Consensus initially debuted in Hong Kong in 2025 before returning in 2026. The new three-year agreement solidifies Hong Kong as the permanent home of the conference's Asian flagship edition, bringing together international policymakers, institutional investors, entrepreneurs, technology firms, and startups across fintech, Web3, and emerging sectors.
Consensus Hong Kong Chairman Michael Lau said the conference had received strong industry engagement since its local launch. He said Hong Kong offered an advantageous commercial environment, well-developed infrastructure, and direct links to mainland China and international markets, making the city a natural base for the annual summit. Lau added that as digital assets and artificial intelligence increasingly converge, future editions will incorporate artificial intelligence as a core theme alongside blockchain and digital finance. He expressed confidence that working closely with tourism authorities over the next three editions would encourage cross-sector collaboration and enhance Hong Kong's reputation as a premier innovation hub in Asia.
The agreement was formalised at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where HKTB Executive Director Anthony Lau and Michael Lau signed the document. The ceremony was witnessed by HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam and Sean Whipkey, institutional sales director of CoinDesk's parent company Bullish Group, alongside industry delegates from the tourism, fintech, and technology sectors.
Tourism officials highlighted that the multi-year partnership represents a strong vote of confidence from the international digital economy in Hong Kong's institutional strengths. Dr Lam said that Consensus Hong Kong serves as a vital platform for cross-border cooperation and commercial exchange rather than merely an industry conference. He emphasised that convening global leaders from the fintech, Web3, and digital asset sectors strengthens Hong Kong's role as a super-connector between mainland China and global markets. He added that the influx of high-spending business travellers would generate significant spillover benefits for local hotels, food and beverage outlets, retail businesses, and professional service providers.
Beyond the main conference programme, previous editions of Consensus Hong Kong have catalysed over 350 side events across the city, including investment forums, networking gatherings, and startup showcases. The tourism board expects the extended partnership to sustain this momentum, further elevating Hong Kong's profile as a premier destination for major international conventions and technological exchange.