Keeping pace with the times, the EMSD has taken a resourceful approach in exploring new opportunities for virtual events while maintaining appropriate face-to-face interactions during the epidemic, with an aim to keep close relationships with our clients and other trade partners.
The E&M I&T Day 2020 was held from 31 August to 2 September 2020 to assist the trade in exploring I&T solutions, so as to be in line with the Government’s pro-innovation procurement policy. In view of the epidemic, the event dropped the physical setting and moved online, during which more than 40 exhibitors presented over 50 I&T solutions, alongside over 40 webinars and talks. The event attracted about 450 trade and client representatives, enabling participation from the comfort of their homes. The virtual venue was set up on the event website, through which visitors were able to explore I&T solutions and make enquiries at the virtual booths, or participate in online talks at any time. Having considered the savings in venue booking and transportation, the virtual event was more cost-effective.
Although virtual events have their unique advantages, physical events are of equal importance whenever practicable. The EMSD joined the Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit jointly hosted by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service in November 2020 to showcase to clients and the public several anti-epidemic technologies that may be applied in residential care homes for the elderly. Furthermore, at the beginning of the year, the Vehicle Engineering Sub-division arranged for representatives of the Land Transport Division of the Government Logistics Department (GLD) to visit our vehicle workshop at the EMSD Headquarters, offering insights into the daily work of the sub-division and thereby enhancing partnership through face-to-face exchanges.