The 13thChina Expo Forum for International Co-operation (CEFCO 2017) was successfully concluded on 1 January 2017. The 3-day event attracted over eight hundred professionals from the convention and exhibition industry from 25 countries and regions. CEFCO promoted the exchange and co-operation between enterprises in Mainland China and overseas with their Macao counterparts, provided opportunities for the local enterprises to attract business from abroad and further promoted the development strategy of “Priority to Convention” for Macao´s convention and exhibition industry.
Michael McCarty, Executive Director of Sales at Venetian Macau Limited, venue supplier for CEFCO 2017, said that members of his team felt very excited to be able to showcase their convention and exhibition meeting spaces to the trade fair organisers and congress organisers and also felt honoured for having the opportunity of serving them. Mr. McCarty believes that the greatest significance of the event was that it enabled participants to personally feel the special characteristics of Macao´s conventions and exhibitions. In addition, he stressed that both he and the members of his team have established friendly relations with potential clients and have even received confirmation that a number of customers will be holding meetings and exhibitions in Macao in 2018 and 2019.
Elisa Ng, Chief Executive Officer of Top Holidays – P&E International Travel Co. Ltd., the company responsible for the reception and travel services of CEFCO 2017, said that her company attached great attention to this event, given that all the participants were “Big Brothers” of the MICE industry and disclosed that, after the event, her company received recognitions from the “masters”, which represents the greatest affirmation of the efforts of her dedicated team. She added that both the theme and the activities of the event had special characteristics and were rich in content. In particular, she noted that the convention and exhibition operators shared the latest information and explored market trends with each other, learnt from each other, with the focus on exploring business opportunities.
Innovating information technology services to inject new dynamism to the convention and exhibition industry
As a showcase event of the convention and exhibition industry, CEFCO continuously pays attention to the latest developments in the said industry, while creating brainstorming opportunities for professionals in the MICE-related sectors. This will benefit Macao, as it creates a new environment for the local conventions and exhibitions. CEFCO also introduced and showed the VR (virtual reality) technology and cloud photography services, to enable the convention and exhibition industry to gradually enter into the artificial intelligence era, and also bringing a new impetus to the local convention and exhibition industry.
Keyvin Bi, Managing Director of China-Macao Resources Advertising & Exhibition Co. Ltd. explained that cloud photography service allows a few minutes after a photo has been taken, for it to be accessible online. He said that this technology will be beneficial to increase the level of participation and interaction among the participants. At the same time, it could enhance both CEFCO and Macao´s image in the area of information technology. During CEFCO, the cloud photography service was much applauded by the participants, and above all, generated more co-operation opportunities for his company.
Local operators of the MICE industry agree that CEFCO´s presence in Macao has produced positive results
A “Macao MICE Business Zone” was set up at CEFCO, which attracted participants from Mainland China and Macao, who visited the zone for information enquiries and exchange. Through this zone, some companies were able to contact over a hundred entrepreneurs in the areas of site management, event organisation and material supplies, with positive results. Sidney Mok, Chief Operating Officer of Brothers Multimedia Lda. said that, besides conventions and exhibitions organisers, hotels and local suppliers also promoted their products and services at the CEFCO venue, thus deepening the exchange between local enterprises and contributed to the co-operation of the said enterprises through the “B2B” business model.
Synthia Chan, Director of Sales at Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre said that CEFCO´s presence in Macao has provided a totally new experience for the international operators of the convention and exhibition industry, who have never set foot in Macao or have never thought about organising events here. Thanks to the support of the Macao SAR Government, in facilitating visa procedures, along with perfect convention and exhibition support facilities plus strong the Chinese and Western cultural heritage, were all factors that contributed to show the fascination of Macao to the world. Nelson Liao, Manager of Conference and Exhibition Department of Nam Kwong International Conference & Exhibition Co. Ltd. said that CEFCO is an excellent platform where local companies have the opportunity to co-operate with enterprises in Mainland China and around the world and that local companies might also be invited to participate in exhibition activities, both in Mainland China and other countries and regions, with unlimited business opportunities.
