Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) organised representatives of Macao convention and exhibition (also known as “MICE”) sectors and tourism industry to participate in the Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings (IT&CM China 2018) held in Shanghai from March 21 to 23. During the event, IPIM hosted a luncheon and two networking receptions, wherein a renowned Macanese chef was invited to prepare Macanese cuisine on-site and various concurrent activities with Sino-Luso characteristics were held, in an effort to promote Macao as a “Creative City of Gastronomy” and to highlight Macao´s unique strengths in the area of conventions and exhibitions. Coinciding with the “Thematic year of Shanghai-Macao Co-operation in MICE-related Activities 2018”, IPIM organised a delegation of representatives from the Macao convention, exhibition and tourism industries to participate in this event with a view to intensifying the exchange and co-operation between Macao´s MICE with their counterparts in Mainland China, especially with the operators in Shanghai. A series of subsequent events to strengthen Shanghai-Macao collaboration in MICE-related activities will also take place in Macao and Shanghai respectively.
IPIM Promotes the Advantages of Organising MICE Activities in Macao with Luncheon and Cocktail Receptions
IPIM hosted a luncheon on March 21, during which, IPIM’s Executive Director Irene Va Kuan Lau introduced the advantages of holding MICE activities in Macao and the “One-stop Service” for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao to over 90 guests, including professional event organisers, destination management companies and conference service providers from Mainland China, especially from Shanghai. Furthermore, famous Macanese chef Antonieta Fernandes Manhão was invited to cook characteristic Macanese dishes on-site for the guests, so as to give them a rich experience and attract a greater number of MICE activities to Macao. Additionally, during the IT&CM China 2018, IPIM also hosted two networking receptions featuring the theme “Creative City of Gastronomy”, which created a relaxing and delightful atmosphere with luscious food served for the participating Macao exhibitors and buyers to gain deeper understanding of each other and achieve co-operation. These two networking receptions attracted over 200 potential buyers and MICE representatives from Mainland China and other countries.
IPIM Sets up the “Macao Pavilion” to Facilitate Business Matching
IPIM established the 204-square-metre “Macao Pavilion” at the venue of IT&CM China 2018, with promotion counters set up to serve as the exhibition and meeting platforms for 27 participants from different sectors in Macao, which included hotels, travel agencies, professional event organisers, tourism destination managers and conference service providers. Furthermore, IPIM has also arranged over 600 business matching sessions, which were actively joined by a great number of attendees. Besides, IPIM´s representatives also took part in over 20 business matching sessions to have face-to-face communication with potential buyers and to promote Macao as an ideal destination for the holding of conferences.
Exhibitors Agree that Participating in IT&CM China 2018 Helps Promote Businesses
Ms. Choi, representative of a participating Macao hotel, said that she hopedto network withthe MICE organisersin Mainland China through the participation in IT&CM China 2018as it wouldenable herto introduce the services of her hotelto the enterprises which are interested to hold conference and other related activities in Macao. According to Mr. Ho, another exhibitor who works in the MICE industry, during the event, he was able to meeting witha number of potential conferenceorganisers, which he consideredvery useful tohis company fordeveloping the market in Mainland China. Furthermore, buyersShanghai positively remarked on the design of the Macao Pavilion while a buy from a European company opined that promoting Macao as a “City of Gastronomy” isa very effective strategytoattract more large conferences to the city.
