Join Us to celebrate AAPPAC’s 30th Anniversary at the 2026 Hong Kong Conference
WestK Performing Arts Centre
The Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres (AAPPAC) and the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) are delighted to invite you to take part in the AAPPAC Annual Conference 2026 to be held in the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) in Hong Kong from 6 – 9 Oct 2026.
Since its inception in 1996, AAPPAC has served as a vital bridge between the diverse performing arts institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. 2026 marks the Association’s 30th anniversary. This year’s conference will be the occasion when we gather to celebrate our three decades of growth and collective achievements which gives another layer of meaning and importance to the Conference.
As a premier cultural district spanning 40 hectares along the Victoria Harbourfront, WestK features world-class facilities including M+, the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the Xiqu Centre, and Freespace as well as an 11-hectare Art Park. It hosts over 1,000 exhibitions, performances, and events annually, dedicated to making the arts an essential and accessible part of daily life. From Xiqu Centre which preserves, transmits and promotes the heritage of Chinese opera, to the contemporary and experimental energy of Freespace, the performing arts venues in WestK are more than just physical structures; they are platforms where traditional heritage meets modern innovation, and where local talent intersects with global mastery. WestK has emerged as a global platform for East-meets-West international cultural exchange and a cultural tourism landmark that welcomes over 17 million visitors in 2025. Its evolution mirrors the spirit of cultural ambition and transformation that has been at the heart of AAPPAC’s mission for three decades.
As we are gearing up with excitement to welcome you to the 2026 Hong Kong Conference, we are also planning for the opening of the largest performing arts venue in WestK in 2027 – the WestK Performing Arts Centre (WestK PAC). Designed by world-renowned architects UNStudio and AD+RG, the WestK PAC features a 1,450-seat Grand Theatre, a 600-seat Medium Theatre and a 270-seat Studio Theatre. These spaces are designed to support a vast array of genres—from large-scale international musicals and dance to intimate contemporary drama. The WestK PAC is envisioned to be a premier home for international touring productions and a launchpad for new Asian works, further cementing Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Conference delegates will have the opportunity to learn about this magnificent infrastructure first-hand this October.
The 2026 Hong Kong Conference will be a testament to the enduring power of cultural dialogue. Themed The Next Act: Shaping the Future of Performing Arts, this year’s conference will bring together visionary leaders and experienced practitioners to examine the challenges and opportunities performing arts venues and institutions are facing in a new era. The keynote addresses and panel discussions will delve into the integration of performing arts and technology, the necessity of sustainability, and the evolving nature of community engagement and creative space design. Alongside the core sessions, a series of showcases and networking programmes will provide ample opportunities for the spontaneous exchange of ideas.
Thirty years marks a generation of collaboration, innovation, and cultural exchange. On behalf of the AAPPAC Executive Committee and WKCDA, I sincerely invite you to join us in Hong Kong this October. Whether you are looking to forge new touring productions, explore technological integration, or deepen your audience engagement strategies, we encourage you to join AAPPAC as a member and participate in this milestone event as we shape the future of the performing arts together.
Mrs Betty Fung
Deputy Chairman, Executive Committee, AAPPAC
CEO, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority