MGTO participated in IMEX 2009

Headed by the Macau Business Tourism Centre (MBTC) of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), a delegation of Macau trade representatives from hotels, convention and exhibition venues, event and destination management companies exhibited at the IMEX 2009 in Frankfurt, Germany on 26-28 May. Hosted in Germany annually, the IMEX is the essential worldwide exhibition for the international meetings, event and incentive travel industry to meet face to face in order to network, undertake professional education and, importantly, to conduct business. This year, more than 3,500 leading exhibitors from 157 countries participated in IMEX 2009. It is anticipated that over 3,700 hosted buyers and 8,700 trade visitors from around the world will visit the show. Other co-exhibitors at the booth of MGTO were members of the “Industry Partners Program” namely, Apex Event Specialist Co. Ltd, DOC DMC Macau Ltd, City of Dreams and Altira Macau, Coastal International Exhibition (Macau) Co. Ltd, and Macau Convention and Exhibition Association, displaying their promotional materials under this marketing platform provided by MGTO. In addition, many trade visitors approached the booth during the trade show requesting information on MGTO’s new “Strategic MICE Market Stimulation Program” which was launched just a week ago, aiming to assist business tourism partners as well as to maintain the momentum and competitive edge Macau has been building as an international destination. The program consists of three main categories: Conventions and Meetings, Exhibitions and Incentives. Any MICE organizers or planners that booked events in Macau up until 31 December 2009 are entitled to the application (http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo/en/page/content.php?page_id=184). As part of its effort to drive the industry forward, MGTO will bring more members of the “Industry Partner Program” to participate in several renowned MICE trade shows upcoming for the second half of this year. These include The 4th International Travel Expo MICE (ITE MICE) in Hong Kong in June, China Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM) in Beijing in September, Incentive Travel & Convention Meetings of Asia (IT&CMA) in Bangkok in October and European Incentive & Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (EIBTM) in Barcelona in December. Relaunch of the AACVB As treasurer and secretariat of the Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (AACVB), MGTO attended a press conference conducted by the Association on the sideline of the IMEX 2009 on 26 May. The purpose of this press conference was to announce the relaunch of the AACVB as well as to reveal its new vision, goals, strategies and ambitions. The AACVB was established in 1983. The Association is now being relaunched with a new agenda which will help drive more MICE traffic to the Asian region through the establishment of a shared data bank among member CVBs. The new strategic direction also calls for the sharing of best practices and the creation of joint branding, advertising and marketing. AACVB will also look into areas such as training programs and accreditation to raise the region’s industry standards and professionalism. Other member convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs) of AACVB include China, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. This press release is available at: www.macautourism.gov.mo