The 14th China Expo Forum for International Cooperation (CEFCO 2018) was held in Qingdao from 11th to 13th Jan 2018. Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) organized the representatives of Macao Convention and Exhibition Industry (also known as MICE industry) to take part in the event and collaboratively promote the advantages of Macao’s convention and exhibition, expanding the professional exchange and cooperation between Macao and overseas regions. Many of the representatives from the sector considered this activity valuable for Macao’s MICE industry in terms of broadening horizon, developing local MICE industry globally and attracting more international organizers to set Macao an MICE destination.
Mr. Wang Jinzhen – Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Mr. Liu Jianjun – Vice Mayor of Qingdao, Mr. Hu Hanming – Researcher of Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services of Ministry of Commerce of China, Mr. Corrado Peraboni – President of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), Mr. David DuBois – President & CEO of International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), Mr. David Audrain – Executive Director of Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO), participated in the Opening Ceremony. The two-day event attracted over 500 participants from MICE enterprises, associations and government departments from 18 countries and regions.
CEFCO was jointly organized by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO). Ever since CEFCO was established, it had been embodying the concept of “Opening-up, Cooperation and Win-win” by striving to build up the exchange and collaboration platform for Chinese and overseas MICE industry, which had made CEFCO an irreplaceable annual gala for all professionals in this domain.
The President of IPIM, Mr. Jackson Chang, was invited to be the speaker of the plenary meeting and take part in the discussion with the industry representatives from different regions on how to promote the sustainable development of MICE industry. He pointed out that IPIM had always been implementing the policy of Macao SAR Government and was currently endeavoring to push forward the development of MICE industry with priority to conventions. He added that IPIM was proactively nurturing locally branded exhibitions and promoting Macao’s global recognition as an international convention city, constructing platform for Macao MICE enterprises to optimize their organization, management and service, and eventually, internationalizing the industry steadily.
During the CEFCO, President Chang and international MICE representatives participated in the Leaders Meeting moderated by Mr. Meng Fanli, the Mayor of Qingdao Municipal People’s Government.
Fruitful Result Wins Acknowledgement of Representatives of Committee for the Development of Conventions and Exhibitions
The President of the Macau Fair & Trade Association (FTA), Mr. Lam Chong In said that, during CEFCO, his association and the CCPIT Training Centre signed a letter of intent on deepening MICE collaboration, whose major contents included inviting representatives from Portuguese-speaking countries, Pan Pearl River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area to join the learning program of Certified in Exhibition Management™ (CEM), and translating learning materials into Portuguese. Such plan will bring the advantage of Macao – as a MICE collaboration centre for China and Portuguese-speaking countries – into full play.
The President of Macau Federal Commercial Association of Convention & Exhibition Industry, Mr. Wu Kam Hon, said that the latest information about the industry could be collected by participating in the activity, and that the international image of Macao in convention and exhibition profession could be enhanced through the exchange with the nonlocal professionals and organizations.
According to Mr. Lam Wai Hou –Executive Director of Macao Chamber of Commerce, most of the participating representatives were the leading figures of MICE industry, as a result, Macao’s professional image in this sector could be promoted through CEFCO, enhancing Macao’s attractiveness to more international event organizers.
Vice-president of Macao Convention & Exhibition Association, Mr. Kuan Vai Lam summarized that joining CEFCO was beneficial for local MICE sector to broaden the international perspective and speed up the development of Macao’s convention and exhibition industry in line with international standards.
Ms. Sam Wai Nei, President of Supervisory Committee of Macau FTA, said that they had been taking part in the related activities for 14 years running and had witnessed new technology and big attraction being showed every single year, which could always provoke new ideas and inspiration and bring positive influence to Macao MICE development.
Vice-president of Travel Industry Council of Macau Mr. Paul Wong expressed his hope to let Macao’s most innovative facilities and services be exposed to the MICE industry world-wide through the platform communication created by CEFCO, so as to turn Macao a destination of more global conferences and shows.
Furthermore, Mr. Kuok from a Macao enterprise said that this event had enabled him to strengthen the connection and collaboration with Qingdao’s enterprises, and that he had started studying on the feasibility of organizing beverage category exhibition and beer festival in Macao this year.
