Group photo of IPIM representatives and the delegation of local convention, exhibition and tourism industry at the Macao Pavilion
Following the participation in the exhibitions in Melbourne, Shanghai, Frankfurt and Beijing and promoted the strengths of Macao´s convention and exhibition industry, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) organised another delegation of representatives from the convention, exhibition and tourism industries to participate in the Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) in Bangkok, Thailand, from 26 to 28 September, to promote Macao´s conventions and exhibitions. Apart from the participation in the event and the promotional activities, IPIM once again set up a Macao Pavilion at the venue to provide a platform for participating Macao’s enterprises to liaise with potential customers from Mainland China and abroad and a total of 400 business matching sessions were held. Participating Macao exhibitors considered it a fruitful trip.
IPIM Organises Macao Enterprises to Participate in IT&CMA for the First Time
IT&CMA, established in 1993 and serves as an exhibition and exchange platform for incentive tourism, convention and exhibition facilities providers as well as pre-event and post-event tourism products in the Asia-Pacific Region, is one of the most important convention and incentive tourism exhibition in Asia. The Thai government attaches great importance to IT&CMA which has been held consecutively in Thailand for eleven years. This year marks the 25th anniversary of IT&CMA, and at the recommendation of Macao’s convention and exhibition industry, IPIM organised local enterprises to participate in the event for the first time and also set up a Macao Pavilion which covered an area of 204 square metres. Under the theme of “Macao - Your Business Events Destination”, the Macao Pavilion provided a showcasing platform for 26 local enterprises including hotels, travel agencies, professional event organisers, destination management companies and conference service providers.
During IT&CMA, IPIM also organised promotional activities which were participated by more than 50 Macao exhibitors, professional buyers and exhibition service providers. It provided them the opportunities for networking and exchange and laid a good foundation for future co-operation. Aiming to attract a greater number of conventions and exhibitions to Macao, IPIM´s Executive Director Irene Va Kuan Lau introduced the advantages of holding conventions and exhibitions in Macao as well as the “One-Stop Service” for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao provided by IPIM.
Exhibitors Recognises the Benefits of Participating in the Event
According to one of the exhibitors, Mr Loi, IT&CMA and other MICE exhibitions gave him the opportunities to meet operators of the tourism and MICE industry from different parts of the world, such as those from Southeast Asia and other regions, and this will greatly assist him in broadening the customer base, exploring new markets and expanding the business. Ms Liu, another exhibitor, said that participating in the event enabled her convention and exhibition company to get in touch with more potential partners sharing the same ideas, and will greatly benefit her company´s core business in convention and exhibition organisation, as well as assisting in the development of derivative businesses, such as tourism, accommodation and tour reception. Ms Liu hoped that, through the organisation of similar exhibition events, Macao could attract a greater number of customers or industry operators to set up their businesses or organise events in the city.