After three days running, the 13th China Expo Forum for International Co-operation (CEFCO 2017) ended successfully in Macao today (Jan. 14). Macao´s MICE industry operators all agree that the holding of this international event in Macau not only pushes forward the city´s international influence and promotes its “Priority to Convention” image, but also enables local MICE operators to meet international standards, and provides an opportunity for international thinking collision and exchange.
Mr. Alan Ho, Chairman of Board of Directors of Macau Convention & Exhibition Association said that CEFCO, being an international large-scale meeting and held in Macao, will help to enhance the city´s influence, and let a larger number of international professional organizations to better understand Macao. This will also help the local convention and exhibition industry to keep in line with international standards. CEFCO can also reinforce the excellent interaction between Mainland China and Macao and strengthen regional co-operation. Therefore, the overall effect is quite positive.
Aspiration to get CEFCO held in Macau every 3 or 4 years
Mr. Tony Lam, President of Macao Fair and Trade Association said that he had previously participated in 7 to 8 editions of CEFCO. Therefore, he is very pleased that the said event is now held in Macao. He hopes that, in the future, CEFCO could be held in Macau every 3 to 4 years. Besides, he revealed that through the “Macao Mice Business Zone”, he was able to meet over 200 “new friends” in the same trade.
Mr. Lo Tak Chong, Chairman of Board of Directors of Association of the Advertising Agents of Macau pointed out that only through the CEFCO, he discovered that many participants, especially from Europe and America, are not aware of Macao´s “new development”, only staying at the “having fun” impression. Therefore, through the CEFCO platform, it is possible to “reintroduce” this new idea to them. He hopes that, in the future, through various trade fairs, Macao´s image will be promoted to “business level”. Furthermore, he praised the effect of the “Macao Mice Business Zone” set up at the venue of CEFCO, which welcomed enquiries and exchange between participants from Guangzhou, Ningxia, Chengdu and the Portuguese-speaking Countries. Over one hundred business matching sessions were held, involving such industries as venues, events organizers, construction materials companies, etc.
Mr. Wu Kam Hon, President of Macau Federal Commercial Association of Convention & Exhibition Industry, said that CEFCO is an international and high-level event and that the issues explored during CEFCO will greatly benefit the operators of the MICE industry. It is an invaluable opportunity and therefore MICE operators should make full use of the “Macao MICE Business Zone” to let the participants from all over the world feel the creativity and image of Macao´s convention and exhibition industry.
CEFCO provides interaction for mutual understanding of the latest development strategies and for thinking collision
Ms. Rebecca Choi, Vice-President of Macau Meetings, Incentive and Special Events Association (MISE) said that, CEFCO not only enables foreign participants and the operators of Macao´s MICE business to exchange and learn about the latest development, but also provides opportunities for thinking collision. This initiative will benefit Macao in creating new environment for the local convention and exhibition industry. During CEFCO, VR (Virtual Reality) inspired her to ponder whether the said service could be introduced to Macao, in order to enable the exhibitors, through new methods, to highlight their products and services.
