SPREADING BIRTHDAY HAPPINESS
For four years, the directors and volunteers at Birthday Happiness Asia (BHA) have been working hard to ensure that less fortunate children get to have a birthday celebration, a “joyous party”, complete with cake and decorations, games and gifts. BHA now has full charity status (Chapter 88), and the number of joyous parties i t can hold monthly is expanding due to increased interest from partnering organisations. The team is holding an official launch party at Club Lusitano in Central on October 28 – and everyone is invited. Scan the QR code to RSVP.
BHA is looking for more sponsors, volunteers and partnering organisations; donations of cash, party supplies and gifts are also welcomed. To get involved, email birthdayhappinessasia@gmail.com or visit www.bhasia.org. [PHOTO COURTESY OF BHA.]
BEST CONVENTION CENTRE (NORTH ASIA)
AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) has been awarded Best Convention Centre (North Asia) at the M&C Asia Stella Awards 2024, marking its third consecutive win. M&C Asia Stella Awards, organised by Northstar Travel Group, aims to recognise organisations and leaders that have shown extraordinary results and significant contributions within the MICE industry. Open to voting by professional meeting planners and industry fellows, the award is a prestigious accolade in the MICE sector.
AWE is poised to host several major MICE events in the near future, including the UFI Global Congress 2025 and the Lions International Convention 2026. The inaugural Super Terminal Expo and Routes World, significant events in the aviation and logistics sectors, are also coming to AWE in 2025. [PHOTO COURTESY OF AWE.]
GOOD TIMES AT TREASURE ISLAND
It’s all happening at Treasure Island on Pui O beach this month: with Taco-Rita Day (two hours unlimited tacos and Margaritas) on October 19, All-You -Can -Ea t Wings Night (plus two hours free-flow beer and selected drinks ) on October 25, and a Quiz Night in support of South Lantau Paddle Club on October 26. In addition, the beach club is the new finish point for this year’s Barclays MoonTrekker, early in the morning on October 19.
Looking for the icing on the cake? Treasure Island is back with its popular Halloween celebration – Freaky Friday – on November 1. After the kids have finished their trick or treating in nearby Ham Tin Village, they can settle in at the beach club to enjoy a (scary) movie and music with their friends. Accompanying adults can take advantage of the restaurant and bar for a quick bite, and check out the various ghoulish cocktails and witches’ brews on offer. Find out more at www.treasureislandhk.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Treasure Island.]
ENROL FOR BUDDHA YOU RUN
Some 2,000 people are expected to take part in Buddha You Run on November 2, with registration on a first-come-first-served basis. The race was first held in November 2015 and is organised by Po Lin Monastery, alongside Ngong Ping 360 and Kwun Chung Bus Holdings. Buddha You Run starts at Di Tan Plaza, Ngong Ping at 9am, with chartered buses provided to collect competitors from Tung Chung Bus Terminal. There are three distances – 3km, 8km and 18km – to choose from, and you can run solo or as a team. Parent and child categories in the 3km ensure that young athletes can take part, or they can run as part of a threegeneration family group.
While all participants are given a commemorative t-shirt, participants, who complete the run within the specified time, receive a medal and certificate. The top four finalists in each category are awarded trophies and medals. To find out more and enrol, visit www.buddhayourun.org.hk. [PHOTO BY Beatrix Malan – www.atscollective.com.]
EXPRESS BAG DROP SERVICE
Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has launched the world’s first Smartphone Express Bag Drop Service. A groundbreaking development in Hong Kong International Airport’s (HKIA) Flight Token smart technology, the new service enables passengers to complete online check-in and scan their travel documents with their smartphones before heading to the airport. Upon arrival at HKIA, they can proceed directly to the Express Bag Drop counters and drop their bags by themselves in under one minute, compared to an average of three minutes a t the airline counters or Smart Check-in kiosks.
HKIA is the only airport in the world where passengers are able to complete all departure procedures – online check-in, travel document verification, bag drop, entering the security area and boarding – using only their smartphones and facial recognition technology. HK Express passengers can use the airline’s app for the Smartphone Express Bag Drop Service. Cathay Pacific also offers the service to passengers for all destinations, except the US. [PHOTO COURTESY OF AAHK.]