To enhance the exchange and co-operation of the related Macao government agencies and operators of the convention and exhibition industry with their counterparts in Shanghai, study in loco the development of the said industry in that city, and learn from the experience of Shanghai in the organization of convention and exhibition events, a six-member delegation, comprised of members of the External Co-operation Group of the Committee for the Development of Convention and Exhibition of the Macao SAR Government and a senior officer of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) visited Shanghai from April 15 to 17. During their stay in Shanghai, the Delegation made courtesy visits to the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and to the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Industries Association, and also toured the soon to be completed China Expo Complex. Additionally, the Delegation also visited the Incentive Travel & Conference, Meetings 2014 (IT&CM China 2014), organized jointly by TTG Events, (a business group of TTG Asia Media, CITS International M.I.C.E. Co., Ltd. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of China International Travel Service) and MP International Pte. Ltd.
During their stay in Shanghai, members of the Delegation made courtesy visits to the President (2013) and Vice-President (2014) of UFI – Global Association of the Exhibition Industry and, cumulatively, Deputy Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Mr. Chen Xianjing, and to the President of the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Industries Association, Mr. Wu Chenglin, where they were briefed on the latest development of the convention and exhibition industry in Shanghai and had the opportunity to exchange valuable opinion about regional co-operation and the perspectives of the Macao´s convention and exhibition industry with their hosts. The delegation also took the opportunity to visit IT&CM China 2014, currently one of the most important Chinese commercial platforms for the MICE sector, and also one of the major professional conventions and business travel event in Asia-Pacific that attracts a wide range of MICE suppliers and buyers from all over the world, including those from Mainland China. IPIM has set-up a promotion counter at the Macao Pavilion, installed by the Macau Government Tourist Office at the venue, for contacts pre-scheduled by the IT&CM Organizers, with organizations interested to hold events in Macau, answer enquiries, promote Macao´s advantages as a convention and exhibition destination and the “One-Stop Service” provided by IPIM. Additionally, the Delegation also visited Shanghai Expo Co., Ltd., the developer of China Expo Complex, currently under construction, and also took the opportunity to tour the construction site. When completed, China Expo Complex will be the world´s largest single building and exhibition complex.
Members of the Delegation included the Convenor of the External Co-operation Group of the Committee for the Development of Conventions and Exhibitions of the Macao SAR Government and President of IPIM, Mr. Jackson Chang, the President of Macau Fair & Trade Association, Mr. Tony Lam, the Chairman and the President of the Board of Directors of the Association of Advertising Agents of Macau, Mr. Edmund Wong and Mr. Kevin Bi, respectively, and the President of the Travel Industry Council of Macau, Mr. Andy Wu Keng Kuong. Mr. Sam Lei, Senior Manager of the Promotional Activities Department of IPIM, also joined the Delegation.
