Few annual events are viewed as "must attends" by local IT professionals. But the HKSAR does have one flagship IT: the Hong Kong International Computer Conference (HKICC) held annually since its inception in 1978. Now in its 28th year, the HKICC is organized by the Hong Kong Computer Society and has drawn over 500 paying attendees in each of the last few years.

Five hundred top local and overseas IT executives paying cold cash to enter the doors. In a fiercely competitive market for IT professionals' time and attention, this is noteworthy. Most of today's events are free, and often heavily backed by vendors and sponsors with product-pushing motives.

And that's where the HKICC differentiates, said Sunny Lee, president of the Hong Kong Computer Society. "We are totally-vendor neutral," stressed Lee, "and we focus clearly on management and technology issues."

Lee added that it is very difficult for any IT conference or event to thrive in Hong Kong given the sheer number of events that take place each year, "but those that try to sell the products of its main sponsors and backers will struggle." Lee also noted the fact that HKICC attendees are paying participants makes for a better quality audience and one that's focused on the event, "as opposed to being there to simply get out of the office," he added.

Focus on value