“Hosting large-scale conventions and business events attracts professional visitors and business delegations to Macao, promoting the local economy”. This is an idea that is materialising gradually as more and more international conventions and meetings are coming to Macao.
In September, Macao hosted three high-profile conventions, attended by more than 20,000 visitors. In addition to boosting the economy in the Cotai area, those events also contributed to increasing trade for businesses in Taipa village and in the northern part of Macao. According to the organiser of the “Greater China NU Skin Academy”, the stay of the 5,000 attendees and their families contributed a total expenditure of approximately 40 million patacas. Estimating an average per capita spending of 5,000 patacas, the three events contributed an aggregate of about 100 million patacas in consumption in different areas of the city – a very encouraging figure.
The organisers of the three events agree that the well-established hotels, venues and other infrastructure in Macao – together with the diversified activities surrounding these venues – make it easy to tour the city and arrange sightseeing activities: something convenient for organisers planning events in Macao. The three organisers say Macao continues to be the first choice for large-scale meetings and conventions; they expect to hold other events in Macao.
Macao, the perfect match for work and entertainment
In September, Macao hosted three large-scale events, each with more than 1,000 attendees: “Nu Skin SouthEast Asia Star Academy Macao 2016” (1,000 participants), early in the month; “Amway Diamond Recognition Meeting” (14,000 participants), in mid-September; followed by the “Greater China NU Skin Academy” (5,000 participants).
Evita Quiambao Singson, Regional Vice President of Sales for Asia Pacific of Nu Skin, said her event in Macao was “a perfect match of work and entertainment”. According to Ms Singson, Macao is well equipped with facilities for large-scale conventions, having also attractive tourism landmarks and a unique history, with a diversified suit of products. Visitors that love to shop have a very enjoyable experience in Macao, she noted. “If you only sit in the conference room without walking around, then your trip to Macao will be meaningless,” said Ms Singson. With such a unique combination between the convention and exhibition industry and the tourism sector, Ms Singson said she expects to host more large-scale events in Macao in the future.
Large-scale conventions promote community-based economy
With co-ordination from the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), the organiser of the “Nu Skin SouthEast Asia Star Academy Macao 2016” worked with industry representatives; and trade associations from the Islands District, the Central and Southern District and the Macao Northern District; as well as travel agents, in order to organise tours of the city for the event’s participants. The attendees visited famous landmarks in Macao, such as the Macau Tower, the Ruins of St. Paul's, and Rua da Felicidade, among others. The visits were a good opportunity for the participants to enjoy scenic spots of Macao, and helped stimulate consumption in different communities across the city.
Hsu Min-Che, General Manager of Fulin International Limited, the organiser of the “Amway Diamond Recognition Meeting”, said the event attracted a total of 14,000 attendees from over 40 countries and regions. Since the meeting took place in the afternoon, participants were able to enjoy other time on their own, going shopping or exploring the city and sampling some traditional gastronomy products. Mr Hsu said that without doubt the conventions and exhibitions industry attracts professional visitors to Macao, helping to propel a community-based economy.
Patrick Yeung, President of Hong Kong & Macau and Regional Vice-President of Leaderships at Nu Skin Enterprises, said most of the 5,000 participants of the “Greater China NU Skin Academy” came to Macao with their families. According to Mr Yeung, a large number of the participants extended their stay for one or two days after the event, so as to visit some of the city’s landmarks, such as the Ruins of St. Paul's, Rua do Cunha and other attractions; with some of them even exploring the city’s Northern District, as well as trying local delicacies. The estimated tourism consumption figure reached approximately 40 million patacas, said Mr Yeung. Estimating an average spend of 5,000 patacas per attendee – based on 20,000 participants in the three events in September – the total consumption associated with these events is expected to have reached 100 million patacas – an amount spent in the community. Such an outcome shows that the volume of business grows whenever there is a large-scale event in Macao, said merchants in the Islands District, adding they hoped that the city welcomes further large-scale events.
More Large-Scale Events to Come
Macao is to host a number of large-scale events in the fourth quarter of 2016. These include the “9th ACM SIGGRAPH Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques in Asia (with more than 5,000 participants expected). Several other events are each expected to attract more than 7,000 participants.
For more information, please visit the official website of IPIM: http://www.ipim.gov.mo
