Participants from around the world gathered in Hong Kong from 18 to 20 May 2009 to attend the International Convention and Expo Summit 2009 (ICES 2009), which was jointly organised by the SHTM and the William T. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV, Singapore Campus).

The Summit was officially opened by Mr James Tien, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Vincent Fung, Assistant Commissioner for Tourism, Dr Andy Nazarechuk, Summit Co-Chairman and Dean of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration UNLV (Singapore Campus), and Professor Kaye Chon, SHTM Director.

ICES 2009 was the first international summit to be planned and organised SHTM students taking the subject Meeting Planning. Organising ICES 2009 not only helped the 30 students to explore their potential, but also provided them with valuable opportunities to apply their knowledge and practise their skills in real life settings.

Themed "Connect Asia Today", ICES 2009 was devoted to establishing its position as the leading summit of the meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry in Asia. It provided academics, researchers, industry practitioners, partners and representatives of professional industry associations with an interdisciplinary forum for exchanging views on the growing significance of MICE in Asia.