Wellington to 'WoW' Hong Kong

Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says next year's WoW (World of Wearable Art) showcase at the Hong Kong International Arts Festival 2012 presents an excellent opportunity for the Capital's business and creative industries, including tertiary education, to forge stronger links in Asia.

Today's final Council meeting of 2011 approved the Mayor's visit to Hong Kong, alongside the first ever offshore performance of WoW.

Mayor Wade-Brown will visit Hong Kong from 29 January - 4 February 2012, courtesy of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. She says WoW's visit will help open doors for many other Wellington enterprises.

"I am so excited for WoW to feature its spectacular show at the Hong Kong Arts Festival, with stunning costumes, lighting and dance," said Mayor Wade-Brown.

"Alongside this wonderful opportunity for WoW, I have been invited to be a guest of the Hong Kong Government, to build political and commercial relationships between Wellington and Hong Kong.

"I will host a reception in Hong Kong to celebrate WOW's international achievement and to showcase some of Wellington's thriving innovative and design businesses on Tuesday 31 January 2012. Key Government, employer and business interests from Hong Kong will also be invited to attend.

"Increasingly, the Wellington economy is finding prosperity in the creative and innovative sectors, and with our trade links to Asian economies. This a great opportunity to promote Wellington," says Mayor Wade-Brown.

The Mayor invites Wellington businesses across all relevant sectors to contact her office to share ideas to promote Wellington. Her email is mayor@wcc.govt.nz

"This is an exciting opportunity to tell Wellington's story, as a destination for talent to work live and play."