It was a pulsating three days of impactful meetings, business
networking and on-site visits that brought international and regional delegates
together to experience the unique charm, warm hospitality and
state-of-the-art facilities that Macao has to offer.
More than 100 delegates came together for M&C Asia Connections
2024, which kicked off at The Londoner Macao earlier this week, marking
the first time the show has been hosted outside of Singapore.
Supported by Sands Resorts Macau and the Commerce and Investment
Promotion Institute (IPIM), this flagship event of M&C Asia
showcased Macao’s unique charm, hospitality, and splendour through hosted
stays at Conrad and The Venetian, exclusive tabletop meetings,
networking events, hotel site visits, city tours, and more.
M&C Asia Connections was also held in conjunction with the M&C Asia Stella Awards 2024, which was held in Macao for the first time
and presented 29 awards across six categories to Asia’s top MICE
players.
“We’re excited to show you how this compact yet dynamic city can
provide an unforgettable backdrop for any event, from small meetings to
large-scale conferences,” said Irene Chua, vice president and group
publisher Asia, Northstar Travel Group.
“We believe Macao’s combination of world-class modern facilities and
rich cultural heritage will leave a lasting impression on delegates.
Macao truly stands out as an emerging premium MICE destination in Asia.”
Business network opportunities at its best
Specially designed to enhance networking and engagement, M&C Asia
Connections is always about fostering connections, providing sellers
and buyers with ample meeting and networking opportunities.
Held from 3-4 September at the Smart Stage at The Londoner Macao,
this exclusive tabletop trade show facilitated strategic alliances
between prequalified international buyers and industry-leading MICE
suppliers including Hyatt Hotels Corporation, MGM, JW Marriott Hotel
Hong Kong,
The boutique, intimate yet impactful format of the one-on-one
tabletop appointments was praised by many sellers and buyers as an
excellent way to foster connections and better understand the unique
offerings of Macao and other parts of Asia.
Enriching education sessions
While the one-on-one business matching programme was the main focus
of M&C Asia Connections, buyers and sellers also attended targeted
education sessions where key opinion leaders from the MICE industry
discussed trends and opportunities in the regional market.
The sessions included an opening panel discussion on latest MICE
industry trends, featuring event professionals from the UK, the US and
Asia sharing their latest observations. David Blansfield, executive vice
president and group publisher of Northstar Meetings Group, presented
the Cvent-Northstar PULSE survey data arising from global MICE industry
research.
Sands China vice president of sales Stephanie Tanpure also gave an
informative introduction to Macao’s history, lesser-known facets, and
dynamic offerings today.
A taste of Macao’s best
M&C Asia Connections delegates had a chance to savour some of
Macao’s top tables and bars, including opening cocktails at St Regis
Bar, and hosted dinners at renowned restaurants such as Chiado and
Gordon Ramsay. Breakfast buffets, tea breaks, and M&C Asia Stella
Awards 2024 lunch showcased the top-notch banqueting service at Sands
Resorts Macao.
Drumming up support through teamwork
A teambuilding segment focusing on drumming, led by the expert team
at DOC DMC Macau, offered a break from business meetings. This fun
sparked camaraderie between sellers and buyers alike. In less than an
hour, each group put up a rousing performance involving drums,
demonstrating how effective teambuilding activity can enhance a Macao
meeting experience.
Macao-Hengqin possibilities
M&C Asia Connections not only provided a chance to visit some of
Macao’s most iconic historic spots like Senado Square and the Ruins of
St Pauls, but also allowed delegates to explore the neighbouring Chinese
city of Hengqin.
The visit highlighted the ease of travelling between the two cities,
opening up exciting possibilities for event organisers to curate
programmes that combine business with cultural experiences and
sightseeing across Macao, Hengqin, and the rest of the Greater Bay Area
cities.