Hong Kong 2001 Stamp Exhibition was held in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai, Hong Kong Island from 1^st to 5^th February 2001.

Designated the 15^th Asian International Stamp Exhibition, under the patronage of F.I.A.P it was held on the first floor of the New Wing, occupying the whole area of the fully carpeted Hall 1. The approach to the Exhibition was from the forecourt in Harbour Road, escalators taking the public to the first floor, where an information booth and counters for the sale of Philatelic Passports were situated. The public then entered the first door to the Exhibition Hall, admission being free.

The Hong Kong Post Office had a target of a quarter of a million visitors. The official attendance given was 220,000 over the five days. Based on experiences at the 1997 exhibition the area was well organised for a massive influx of visitors, however although there were good queues waiting for the opening on the first day the flow was more constant, with the crowds on Saturday and Sunday being more in evidence. Rarely were the extensive queuing rows set up in front of the Hong Kong Post Office Sales and Postmarking areas filled to capacity, each activity being separately placed at opposite ends of the hall. Designated areas were set aside for Youth Activities, and the photo booths for the Personal Greetings Stamps, which saw constant activity. Philatelic Seminars for Students were run daily in a room outside the main exhibition hall, with school groups being organised to attend this facility.

The exhibits were displayed in the frames in an area enclosed by glass windowed panels in the rear centre of the hall, with the Court of Honour further isolated in a similar enclosure within the exhibits area. The brown aluminium frames, with grey backing material, had a three lock swing door containing the clear front acrylic sheet and had previously been used at the Beijing Exhibition. My only criticism of the layout being the frequent splitting of exhibits, by either going ‘round the corner’ to the next row, or split across each side of, or split by, the walkways. The stands for 35 Postal Administrations, 13 Agencies, 68 Local and Overseas Dealers, 4 Security Printers plus 5 Clubs and other groups, were in blocks of four or six in island format three deep and eleven wide in the centre of the hall.

The Opening Ceremony was held on a stage on the lower level at 9.00am on the 1^st February, attended by the media and guests, with a traditional Lion dance. A small stage was also situated in the front centre of the hall which was used for a number of special releases and promotions throughout the show.

The overall quality of the exhibits was excellent, although there were a few lower grade entries apparent from some countries, which consequently received low awards. Nineteen Judges, three Apprentices and an Expert Team of three were from the participating countries, Australia being represented by Ray Todd, Bernard Beston and Malcolm Groom. Commissioners from 20 ‘Asian area’ countries attended the show. Judging commenced on the Wednesday evening, results being posted on the frames at noon on Saturday. Competitive exhibits were provided by 246 exhibitors, with material in 1004 frames, Australia providing 16 exhibits, 4 being of Literature, a total of 72 frames. The Court of Honour, Jury Class and Invited Exhibits took another 157 frames. Written critiques were not provided, but judges were available at the frames for a period of time on the Sunday.   Above-right: Jown Crowsley accepts a Large Gold medal and the D N Jatia Memorial Special Prize on behalf of Edward Wittenberg.

Three notable functions were held, the Welcoming Dinner given by Hong Kong Post, held at the Grand Hyatt, a dinner hosted by the Co-Organisers at the Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant, and the Palmares Night held at the Excelsior Hotel, Causeway Bay. The latter was well organised and a minimum, though adequate, time was taken up by speeches, and making the awards. The only medals given out being Large Gold and Gold, with the Grand Awards and Special Prizes. The remainder of the medal awards and certificates being distributed to the Commissioners at a later date.