HKTDC MarketingPulse & eTailingPulse 2026 Wrap-Up: 1700+ Global Experts Converge to Unlock AI and E-Commerce Growth

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse successfully concluded at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The premier annual e-commerce and brand marketing events drew a vibrant crowd of more than 1,700 industry professionals from 22 countries and regions, who gathered in Hong Kong to navigate the ever-evolving marketing landscape and redefine the blueprint for business growth.

HKTDC Executive Director Sophia Chong delivered the welcome remarks. She said the theme for this year’s events, "Generate New Growth", challenged us to seize these opportunities by exploring how fresh ideas, new technologies and bold strategies can power the next wave of momentum.

Driving brand evolution through innovation

Welcoming delegates to the conferences, Sophia Chong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: "Rapid advances in digital technologies are allowing e-commerce to reshape the market landscape, transforming how businesses reach consumers, transact and scale. From AI-driven personalisation to social commerce, the pace of change is unprecedented, and with this change comes significant opportunity. The theme for this year’s events, "Generate New Growth", challenges us to seize these opportunities by exploring how fresh ideas, new technologies and bold strategies can power the next wave of momentum."

MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse attracted more than 1,700 industry professionals from 22 countries and regions.

E-commerce experts unpack the latest AI trends

This year’s MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse staged 30 thematic sessions, with a comprehensive agenda exploring topics including "Growth leaders", "E-commerce new horizons", "Cutting edge marketing dynamics/new market potential", " Social media best practices", the "Meet the celebrity dialogue series”, and "PR disasters and opportunities", complemented by a series of digital marketing and e-commerce workshops. More than 85 esteemed e-commerce pioneers, brand leaders, marketing experts and innovative entrepreneurs from around the globe were invited to dissect the latest e-commerce innovations, global marketing trends and consumer opportunities, exploring how to cultivate new growth in a rapidly shifting marketing ecosystem.

When discussing the development and outlook for e-commerce, multiple industry experts at the conferences highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) applications and its latest trends. Terry Li, Vertical General Manager of Smart Retail, Tencent, noted that “AI is redefining digital commerce, and integrating AI into enterprise architecture properly is key to success. It will not destroy creativity; instead, it can inspire creativity and enable personalised customer experiences.” Bruce Pan, Cross-border Industry Operations Manager of TikTok Shop US, added that the real competitive edge will lie not in generating more content faster, but in combining creative direction, understanding the competitive edges of products and emotional storytelling.

Quick commerce charts a new course for e-commerce

Today's consumers have an insatiable appetite for convenience and personalisation, compelling brands to accelerate the transformation of their e-marketing strategies. Precision data and AI are fundamentally rewiring consumer experiences. Patrick Zhang, Senior BD Manager of Amazon Global Selling, pointed out that the next phase of globalisation will be defined by how quickly and accurately brands can understand local consumer needs and translate data insights into high-quality growth. Yatong Qiu, Vice President of Taobao & Tmall Group, Alibaba, highlighted how brands and merchants can deploy agile merchandising strategies, real-time digital marketing and speed-oriented approaches to upgrade supply chains and streamline order fulfilment, catering to the modern consumer's desire for "everything, instantly". And the "Decoding the Gateway to ASEAN: Cross Border Growth and Market Entry Strategies" session explored tactics for entering the ASEAN market. Speakers including Luca Barni, SVP, Commercial at Lazada Group, shared battle-tested experiences, providing a practical compass for enterprises eyeing ASEAN e-tailing expansion.

Pauline Brown (right), former Chairman of LVMH North America and author of Aesthetic Intelligence, illustrated how sensory management and design thinking can elevate brand value and the customer experience.

Visionary insights from distinguished brand leaders

As the consumer market pivots towards experience-driven models, "taste" and "perception" have become the ultimate battlegrounds for brand competitiveness. Brands are no longer merely delivering product value; they are curating a lifestyle. The "Growth leaders" series at MarketingPulse was inaugurated by Pauline Brown, former Chairman of LVMH North America, who delivered a presentation address on “Aesthetic Intelligence”, illustrating how sensory management and design thinking can elevate brand value and customer experience. “Economic inequality, environmental threats, and the rise of AI make the pursuit of aesthetic intelligence more important than ever,” Ms Brown said. “While AI enhances efficiency, consumers care about brands creating authentic sensory pleasure. Only people can truly convey a clear, well-articulated vision that resonates with customers.”

Haijun Wang, Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Experience Officer of Atour Lifestyle Holdings, shared how to seamlessly weave cultural aesthetics into the management of hotel and lifestyle brands.

Haijun Wang, Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Experience Officer of Atour Lifestyle Holdings, shared his philosophy on weaving lifestyle experiences into hotel and lifestyle brand management. By extending the "accommodation experience" into new retail, he demonstrated how to forge brand identity through lifestyle sensibilities and customer resonance. Mr Wang believes that when both service and space strike an emotional chord, the resulting customer loyalty offers an enduring competitive edge. "In the experience economy, emotional value and authentic customer advocacy are becoming more important, making experience not only a point of differentiation, but also a source of sustainable brand growth and long-term development potential,” he said.

JinHee Lee, Chief Operating Officer of Olive Young, showcased how Korean beauty leverages agile operations and trend curation, using technology to build international competitiveness.

As younger generations emerge as the dominant consumer force, the dynamic between brands and youth demographics is being entirely redefined. JinHee Lee, Chief Operating Officer of South Korea's Olive Young, shared the brand's triumphant journey from local flagship to a global powerhouse. He showcased how this Korean beauty titan leverages seamless omnichannel operations and data-driven marketing strategies, using technology as a compass to build international competitiveness. “In order for a beauty brand to go global, it’s essential to develop a marketing platform that combines digital promotion and offline data,” he explained. “By integrating physical stores with online apps, we have built a seamless omnichannel ecosystem that continuously adapts to our customers’ lifestyles and needs. providing real time updates on product stock and promotions.”

Krzysztof Andrzej Kowal, Global Retail Design Director at YSL Beauty, L'Oréal Luxe, highlighted how to craft an immersive and unforgettable shopping experience.

Crafting an immersive and unforgettable shopping experience to amplify marketing efficacy and fortify long-term brand influence has always been the golden rule for major international brands. Krzysztof Andrzej Kowal, Global Retail Design Director at YSL Beauty, L'Oréal Luxe, took the stage in the session "The Poetics of Branding: Weaving Story, Design, and Emotion into Iconic Narratives". He shared how to transform physical retail spaces into the ultimate storytelling canvas through the alchemy of "Design × Story × Emotion". He said that to build emotional connections with customers, “physical stores should transcend showcase roles to become temples of experience and content factories that generate authentic and multi-sensory moments. By blending current trends like Y2K and nostalgia, we build up our persona based on new trends while maintaining our brand culture. At the same time, we maintain a cohesive global identity while adapting to local cultures.”

John Deschner (right), Head of Brand at Maximum Effort, shared how to masterfully repackage negative reactions into creative and heartwarming brand stories.

Creative social content ignites brand resonance

In an era saturated with content and dictated by algorithms, brands and creators must rebuild emotional bridges through authenticity and the power of storytelling. This year's conferences approached the subject through the lenses of film, television, social media and content creation, exploring how culturally resonant content can captivate audiences and amplify brand value.

Actor and "Threads Admin" Ng Siu-hin joined forces with Kenie Kwok, Creative Strategy Lead at Meta, in the dialogue "Threads for Consumer and Audience Engagement", comprehensively decoding the "traffic matrix" for the platform. Continuing the creative thread, the "Meet the celebrity dialogue series” invited actor and singer-songwriter Louis Cheung to share his creative odyssey and breakthrough moments. Spanning music to on-screen performances, Louis underscored the importance of staying true to one's original aspirations and authentic expression, inspiring brands and creators to co-create content with genuine warmth. Meanwhile, content creator and MUSE TV founder Mayao shared his ingenious use of disruptive social media promotional tactics to market music and content, leaving an indelible mark on the public consciousness.

As AI permeates every aspect of the marketing and design sectors, creative thinking faces an unprecedented paradigm shift. Award-winning creative minds, including Stephen Rogers, Group Creative Director at Droga5 from Ireland, explored this dynamic in the session "Creativity & AI: Human vs Artificial Mind". The speakers revealed that human imagination and intelligent technology are engaged in a symbiotic dance rather than a zero-sum game, with industry pioneers sharing how to masterfully navigate the shifting boundaries between human intuition and AI.

Practical insights and business matchmaking foster cross-sector synergy

Beyond the main forums and InnoTalks series, the events introduced a new feature, “e-Commerce Connect”, that brought together nearly 30 local and international exhibitors to showcase the latest one-stop e-commerce solutions. A series of digital marketing and e-tailing workshops was also held, at which industry experts imparted strategies for AI integration, cross-border market navigation, and brand influence elevation, arming participating brands with actionable intelligence. The organiser curated multiple networking events and arranged more than 170 one-on-one business matchmaking sessions for attendees and exhibitors. In addition, singer James Ng graced the event with a live performance during the conferences’ Happy Hour session.

MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse introduced a new feature, “e-Commerce Connect”, bringing together close to 30 local and international exhibitors to showcase the latest one-stop e-commerce solutions.

Widespread industry support drives sector advancement

This year's MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse received robust support from numerous organisations and industry bodies, including the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of Hong Kong (HK4As), the Hong Kong Internet & Ecommerce Association, the Hong Kong Federation of E-Commerce (HKFEC), the Hong Kong Live E-Commerce Association, the Hong Kong Public Relations Professionals’ Association, IAB Hong Kong and PRHK, providing attendees with invaluable market intelligence and unique perspectives.

The fifth edition of the International Healthcare Week, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held in Hong Kong from 11 to 31 May. The two flagship events – the sixth Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH), jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the HKTDC, and the 17th Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair (Medical Fair), organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by the Hong Kong MedTech Association – serve as a comprehensive business platform covering the entire medical and healthcare industry chain, including technology R&D, investment matching, medical equipment manufacturing, medical products and services. The events will be held concurrently to maximise synergy at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai next month. The ASGH will take place on 11 and 12 May, while the Medical Fair will run from 11 to 13 May.

Sophia Chong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “The medical and healthcare landscape is undergoing a profound and rapid transformation. Hong Kong, by leveraging its preeminence as an international financial centre, its world-class research ecosystem and its unique positioning bridging the Chinese Mainland and the world, serves as an ideal platform for scientific excellence, strategic investment and financing, and international trade for medical and healthcare innovation. The National 15th Five-Year Plan prioritises health development. The HKTDC will actively align with the Plan through the two flagship events of the International Healthcare Week – the ASGH and the Medical Fair. The events will focus on high-growth areas such as biopharmaceuticals, AI-empowered healthcare, the silver economy and modernisation of traditional Chinese medicine, and will help to accelerate commercialisation of research outcome, facilitate high-impact business matching, and boost cross-border investment. Collectively, the twin events reinforce the ‘Healthy China’ initiative, solidify Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s leading biotech and investment hub, and demonstrate Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector and super value-adder.”

Speaker line-up features Nobel Prize Laureate

The sixth ASGH, themed “Fuelling Healthcare Breakthroughs”, will convene a prestigious assembly of international health officials, scientific, medical and industry experts, start-ups and investors. Through various sessions, they will exchange valuable insights and navigate the latest frontiers in public health, medtech, international trade and investment, while unlocking the future prospects and untapped business opportunities of the industry.

The opening session will feature welcome remarks by Prof Frederick S Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, and opening remarks by John Lee, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, followed by special remarks of Prof Zeng Yixin, Vice Minister of the National Health Commission.

On the morning of the first day, two plenary sessions will be held. Plenary Session I: Strengthening Pandemic Preparedness through Global Collaboration will begin with a keynote speech by Prof Lo Chung-mau, Secretary of Health of the HKSAR government. The session will be moderated by Prof Leo Poon, Daniel CK Yu Professor in Virology at the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong and Co-Director of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute. Speakers include Prof Ibrahim Abubakar, Vice-Provost (Health) at University College London; Dr Leung Yiu-hong, Head of Emergency Response and Programme Management Branch, Department of Health; Dr Kumanan Rasanathan, Executive Director of the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research; Prof Wang Yu, Chairman, Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control; and Dr In Kyu Yoon, Acting Deputy Director General at the International Vaccine Institute. They will delve into critical strategies such as pathogen surveillance, data sharing, and multinational collaboration to bolster the resilience of global health infrastructure.

Plenary Session II: Fuelling Healthcare Breakthroughs will examine how cross-sector collaboration catalyses the commercialisation of research outcomes and unlocks market potential. The session will feature a special address by Leng Weiqing, Chairman of Shanghai Industrial Investment (Holdings). It will be moderated by Victor Chu, Chairman and CEO of First Eastern Investment Group, with speakers including Jonathan Symonds, Chairman of GSK; Prof Song Ruilin, President of the China Pharmaceutical Innovation and Research Development Association; Dr Mehmood Khan, CEO of The Hevolution Foundation; Clara Chan, CEO of Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited; David Lau of JP Morgan Securities; and Theresa Tse, Chairwoman of Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited.

On the afternoon of the first day, the Dialogue with Global Pioneer in Health session will feature 2013 Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry, Prof Michael Levitt, Robert W and Vivian K Cahill Professor in Cancer Research at Stanford University. Prof Levitt will share his distinguished journey in scientific discovery and envision the transformative impact of technology on future healthcare and scientific research.

With rapid advances in AI drug discovery, oncology, and precision medicine, the summit introduces a dedicated CSO Insights: Catalysing Scientific Breakthroughs and Investments for Future Health session on the morning of the second day. Chief Scientific Officers and R&D leaders from leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies, including Fosun Pharma, Omico, Zhaoke Ophthalmology, and more, will share how they set scientific strategy and forge partnerships that accelerate time-to-impact.

Thematic sessions address market trends and the National 15th Five-Year Plan

The pervasive adoption of AI is driving a paradigm shift across industries, including healthcare. This year’s summit will feature two thematic sessions, including Intelligence at Scale: How AI is Powering Real-World Healthcare Revolution and Transforming Healthcare through Digital Health & AI Innovations. Speakers will examine pragmatic integration and pioneering breakthroughs of AI within the healthcare system.

The silver economy represents a high-growth frontier. This year’s Summit will once again feature a dedicated Silver Health Chapter to address the complexities of an ageing demographic and unlock the sector’s burgeoning market potential. In the session Unlocking Growth in Silver Health: From Precision Medicine to Smart Ageing Innovations, distinguished speakers will discuss breakthroughs in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of age-related diseases.

In response to the National 15th Five-Year Plan, and to catalyse the Healthy China initiative and regional collaboration, the Summit will include a session titled The Next Frontier in China's Healthcare Industry which will review the latest trends in medical innovation and investment in China.

The session Driving Chinese Medicine Development Through Standardisation and Innovation will address the National 15th Five-Year Plan’s emphasis on the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine. Speakers will share insight on traditional Chinese medicine innovation, cross-sector collaboration and regulatory matters.

Over the two days, the Summit will cover a wide range of topical issues in the medical and healthcare sector, including sustainable healthcare systems, gene and cell therapy, rare disease treatments, medical robotics and devices, and IP financing strategies for pharmaceuticals and medtech.

Supporting the expansion needs of medical/healthcare enterprises

In addition to the plenary and thematic sessions, the Summit will feature the ASGH Business Hub and InnoHealth Showcase, which presents innovative technologies from some 180 medical and healthcare companies across 11 countries and regions. Many of the exhibitors have received prestigious awards. The Project Pitching session will provide start-ups with the opportunity to present their innovations to potential investors, while the ASGH Deal-making facilitates one-to-one meetings, both online and offline, to channel capital to healthcare projects.

Medical and healthcare enterprises can also access the “GoGlobal Connect” Zone and Business of Healthcare Advisory Zone to consult with service providers on overseas expansion, fundraising, and R&D collaboration. The Summit will also host a workshop titled Hong Kong as a SuperConnector to Empower Global Expansion of Pharmaceutical Enterprises, where medical and business leaders will share how pharmaceutical companies can leverage Hong Kong’s platform to seize overseas business opportunities.

The Medical Fair’s three key categories: MedTech, GeronTech & Preventive Healthcare

The 17th Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair will be held from 11 to 13 May. Themed Innovations Boosting Smart Health Experience, the Fair will provide an ideal platform for research and development institutions, manufacturers, public healthcare organisations, and healthcare professionals from around the world to establish global business connections.

The Medical Fair will gather some 300 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions. The exhibition will feature seven major zones, including the Startup Zone, Hospital Equipment and Digital Health, Biotechnology and Lab Diagnostics, Laboratory Technologies and Healthcare Services, Medical Supplies and Disposables, Rehabilitation and Elderly Care, and the World of Health and Wellness.

The Fair will focus on three key areas: MedTech, GeronTech and Preventive Healthcare. Among the highlights, an exhibitor will introduce a smart health wearable watch that integrates concepts from both Chinese and Western medicine to assess the functions of the five major internal organs and provide personalized health recommendations.

Another exhibitor will demonstrate an augmented reality (AR) surgical platform designed for orthopaedic surgeons, providing real-time 3D navigation during surgical procedures. In addition, an exhibitor will present a world-first smart knee brace that integrates AI and wearable technology to support post-knee surgery recovery and sports injury rehabilitation.

The Medical Fair actively promotes collaborative innovation across government, industry, academia, research, and investment. A number of leading research and academic institutions will participate, including nine local universities and over 30 innovation and technology enterprises led by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks.

A startup will showcase innovative voice assistive technology products featuring a one-touch speech reconstruction function. More than 50 themed forums and seminars will be held during the fair, including “Accelerating Mental Health Innovation through AI Research and Adoption” and the “HKMTA Medical Fair Forum 2026: The Medtech Solutions - Greater Bay Area & Overseas”.

The exhibition will continue to adopt the “EXHIBITION+” hybrid model. The physical fair will take place from 11 to 13 May at the HKCEC. Global exhibitors and buyers can engage in discussions via the “Click2Match” smart business matching platform from 4 May until 20 May.

As the two flagship events of International Healthcare Week, the Asia Summit on Global Health and the Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair will gather global healthcare forces to create a cross-sector exchange platform, driving Hong Kong's development as a regional medical innovation hub.

The Asia Summit on Global Health

Date 11-12 May 2026 (Monday to Tuesday)
9:00am to 6:00pm (Opening Session at 10:00 am on 11 May)

Venue Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) Hall 3FG

Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair

Date 11-12 May 2026: 10:00am to 6:00pm
13 May 2026: 10:00am to 5:00pm

Venue Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) Hall 3DE

Last year's Asia Summit on Global Health highlights

Prof Michael Levitt, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

Deal-making sessions at the Asia Summit on Global Health

Previous edition of the Medical Fair exhibition hall

Collaborative innovation and academic research in medical sector

Artificial intelligence and robotics in healthcare demonstration