The SARS menace has affected media events, which were scheduled to be held in Hong Kong. SPORTELAsia 2003, which should have been going on at the moment, was cancelled this year. Next month's BroadcastAsia, one of the biggest events of the region, has also been cancelled.

Coming back to the October event, Convention Chairman Bloomberg Television's James Ross made the following comments, "We're very pleased that the CASBAA Convention 2003 will be staged in Hong Kong, and we have some exciting plans in prospect. The event will once again be an excellent opportunity for the entire cable and satellite TV industry to get together, debate the issues, share experiences, and build closer business relationships." What makes this year's Convention special is that it coincides with the tenth anniversary of the launch of pay-TV services in Hong Kong and more than a decade of cable development in China.

CASBAA CEO Simon Twiston Davies said, "That's why the CASBAA Convention 2003 will have a central focus on Hong Kong and China as well as addressing key industry issues such as advertising, broadband developments and programming trends".

CASBAA has already gained significant support for Convention 2003 from InvestHK as a lead sponsor along with Hong Kong cable operator i-Cable. CASBAA has appointed Hong Kong-based specialist agency 'Branded', to undertake the marketing of the event.