Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) is the Macao government department designated to be in charge of the overall co-ordination, promotion and development of Macao´s convention and exhibition industry. This year, IPIM again organised a delegation with representatives from Macao’s convention, exhibition and tourism industries to participate in the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo 2017 (AIME 2017) held in Melbourne, Australia. Through the participation in the event, the set up of a Macao Pavilion, the organisation of a networking cocktail reception filled with Chinese New Year atmosphere and various diverse and interesting means, the delegation aimed to present to Australian as well as international MICE event organisers, senior managers and professionals the strengths of Macao’s convention and exhibition industry, as well as IPIM’s “One-stop Service” for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao.  It also aimed to reinforce the liaisons between Macao´s convention, exhibition and tourism operators with their counterparts abroad, as a mean to push forward the development of the industry in Macao.

A Macao Pavilion, covering an area of 120 square metres, was set up by IPIM under the theme ““Macao – your business events destination”” at the AIME venue. A promotion counter was set up in the Macao Pavilion to promote IPIM’s services and to handle enquiries. Following the steady development of the MICE industry in Macao and also in response to the increasing demand of local convention and exhibition enterprises in promoting their businesses, the exhibitors in the Macao Pavilion, apart from IPIM, also included 18 hotels, tourism agencies, professional meetings and event organisers, destination management companies, conference service providers.  The exhibitors jointly promoted the strengths of Macao´s convention and exhibition industry, in a bid to attract to the city more international MICE-related events. During the two-day event, the Macao Pavilion has arranged over 300 business matching sessions and received enthusiastic feedback. In addition, IPIM´s representatives also participated in more than 20 business matching sessions arranged by the AIME organisers, to discuss with prospective buyers and promote Macao as an ideal destination for conferences and events.

In addition to the promotion counter in the Macao Pavilion, IPIM also organised a networking cocktail reception under the theme of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals which was in line with the Lunar New Year in February.  Exhibitors of the Macao Pavilion shared Chinese horoscope information with the guests, which on one hand, was a continuity to the festive season and, on the other hand, fostered mutual understanding in an interesting and relaxed atmosphere and promoted co-operation. The cocktail reception attracted more than 50 potential buyers and representatives of the convention and exhibition industry from Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

AIME is one of Asia´s most influential events in the convention and exhibition industry. Last year´s event was participated by over 700 exhibitors and more than 3000 qualified buyers from over 50 countries and regions, and served as an important exchange platform for the convention, exhibition and business tourism operators from around the world.