Well, I don't think we expected that! More than 180 people representing many of the region's leading companies queuing up to get their registration badges was a sight for the tired but delighted eyes of the ACT team.
Tired because of jet lag but delighted because of the turnout, the welcome and the enthusiasm of our delegates. Mind you, the best sight of the day was the 7.15am coffee run by your correspondent and his colleague for the team and our exhibitors: never was coffee more needed or gratefully accepted!
For those of you who know Hong Kong, the view from the conference room across Central towards the Bank of China was spectacular. For those of you who don't, I might suggest a visit to see this remarkable city and its man-made environment.
I will also comment (again) on Hong Kong's food - there's a pattern here! If an army marches on its stomach then this ACT platoon stormed the citadels of Hong Kong's restaurants and took no prisoners! A special mention to the conference lunch as well, a mix of barbecued meat and fish. One or two bars may also have had some ACT custom as well, but I couldn't possibly comment.
Work? Yes we did that too: our day ranged over RMB internationalisation, the strategic treasurer, stress management and risk strategy and hearing the two treasurers of Hong Kong's power companies not tell each other too much of what they do! Most important of all, the opportunity to network was eagerly accepted by all the delegates especially given the presence of several market regulators at the conference. Something regulators elsewhere might find useful, mixing with their end-user clients. Now there's a thought.
