The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) has been continuously promoting the development of the MICE industry in Macao, and followed up on a total of 167 MICE events through the “One-stop Service” for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao from January to October in 2021, which cover industries such as commerce and trade, healthcare, and information and technology. The person-in-charge of a large technology expo scheduled in early December in Macao remarked that the designated IPIM personnel arranged through the “One-stop Service” for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao had effectively followed up and assisted in solving many issues that arose during the preparation, thus facilitating the smooth execution of the event.

IPIM has been providing comprehensive support services to event organisers who are interested in holding conventions or exhibitions in Macao. The “One-stop Service” for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao under IPIM is dedicated to introducing well-known MICE events at home and abroad in the city, with designated personnel arranged to follow up throughout the event organisation process, assist in the Convention and Exhibition Support Programme applications, promote and publicise the event venues and service suppliers in Macao through local and overseas events joined by IPIM, and link event organisers with local service providers.

Establishing an international and inter-industrial technology event in Macao

Mr Lu, person-in-charge of a large technology expo scheduled in early December in Macao – the first of its kind in the city – said that Macao was selected as the location of the event mainly for two reasons. On the one hand, Macao is an important gateway for China to the world thanks to its geographical advantages, on the other hand, Macao is a city with a unique culture where event organisers can arrange various community experience activities to encourage exchanges among the participants after the events. He added that the preparation process spanned more than eighteen months with an aim of making the expo an international and inter-industrial technology event that revolves around technology and connects logistics, food, agriculture and other industries, thereby deepening participants’ understanding of the ongoing influence of technology in each industry.

Reinforcing inter-industrial synergy through online and offline channels

Mr Lu noted that the expo will be held through both online and offline channels. In addition to in-person participation by well-known enterprises in the industries, video conferences will also be arranged to enable direct exchange and communication between government institutions, corporate representatives and investors outside Macao and expo attendees by breaking the geographic boundaries, thereby forging partnerships and reinforcing inter-industrial synergy.

A big helping hand to the expo organiser

Mr Lu also noted that during the preparation process, he received assistance from IPIM through the “One-stop Service” for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao, in which designated IPIM personnel were arranged to coordinate and contact various government departments or agencies to provide support to the expo and facilitate its execution. He hopes that the expo will give more people across the world an idea of Macao’s ability to host large events and attract more exhibitions and conventions to Macao.

Over 100,000 event participants visiting and spending in the community

Moreover, through the “One-stop Service” for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao, IPIM has been supporting event organisers in encouraging event participants to visit and spend money in Macao’s local community and experience the city’s unique culture, bringing more customers to shops in the neighbourhood and propelling the city’s moderate economic diversification. Over 100,000 event participants have joined the community tour since its launch in 2017.  

“Going global” to intensify publicity efforts

To introduce more industry practitioners to Macao’s advantages in hosting MICE events and related services, in addition to hosting and co-organising various events, IPIM has been actively “going global” and using both online and offline channels to promote the city during large events such as the “Macao Week” series and the China International Import Expo.

In the future, IPIM will continue to facilitate the professional development and marketisation of the MICE industry by enhancing the level of professionalism and investment promotion of events, building a cross-sector platform, and amplifying the inter-industrial synergy. IPIM will also intensify efforts in bolstering the “tourism + MICE” and “Distinctive Shops + MICE” collaborations to boost community economic benefits, thereby increasing the MICE industry’s stimulation to other sectors’ performance.