A host of industry leaders, internationally-renowned designers, staff, alumni and friends of PolyU gathered at Hotel ICON – a unique teaching and research hotel wholly-owned by the university – to celebrate its official opening.

The celebration started with the Hospitality Design Conference, "Boutique & Lifestyle Hotels: Creating a Brand Icon through Design", jointly presented by the Hong Kong Design Centre and PolyU's School of Hotel and Tourism Management on 21 September 2011. Six highly acclaimed architects and designers shared their insights and visions on hospitality and lifestyle designs, citing their contributions to Hotel ICON as case studies. The speakers included French botanist and landscape artist Patrick Blanc, fashion designer Barney Cheng, Conran & Partners' Managing Director Richard Doone, graphic designer and PolyU alumnus Tommy Li, interior designer William Lim and award-winning architect Rocco Yim. Their innovative designs reveal the breadth of their talent and reflect the cultural heart of the city, making Hotel ICON a true Hong Kong landmark.

A gala dinner themed "Vision Unlike Any Other" marked the climax of the celebration. It provided a memorable occasion for the partners and friends of PolyU and SHTM to celebrate the success of its hospitality and tourism education and research. Officiating at the occasion were the Honourable Marjorie Yang Mun-tak, PolyU Council Chairman; Mr Victor Lo, Chairman of Hotel ICON Board of Directors and Honorary Chairman of the event; Professor Timothy W. Tong, PolyU President; Professor Kaye Chon, Dean of SHTM; and Mr Richard Hatter, General Manager of Hotel ICON.

The special programme of entertainment included a live band performance by Professor Tong, PolyU alumni and SHTM students. Their show not only earned loud applause from the audience but also received generous support from sponsors. A fund-raising auction further enlivened the evening with all net proceeds donated to support the School's future development.

Since its inception in 1979, the SHTM has consistently grown and adapted to the evolving needs of the hospitality industry with its distinctive vision for hospitality and tourism education. That unique vision led to the creation of a new educational approach, with Hotel ICON at its centre. The School would like to thank all of those involved for making the Hotel ICON project a reality.