Northstar

DESTINATION | MACAU 28 JAN-FEB 2018 meetings & conventions • mcmag-asia.com The spotlight is currently on MGM COTAI, especially its MGM Theater at COTAI. Resident show "Destiny" will play on the world's largest permanent indoor LED screen with 900 square metres of 28 million pixels entertaining up to 2,000 people. And the space can transform into 10 configurations for any event, conference, concert, meeting or more. The Ballroom for up to 1,000, Vista with alfresco space overlooking the Reflective pool and innovative services also set the property apart. "We offer group SurfSet fitness class options, light massage series during coffee breaks, green meeting options and more," says Fuh, who also mentions the appeal of their four celebrity chef dining experiences. Staying on food, MGM MACAO's Oktoberfest Macau was one of the year's most popular incentives, adds Fuh. "Our clients see it as a perfect occasion to thank and mingle with valued customers and team members." In 2017, Sands China hosted the successful MICE mega-fam in May 2017 to promote a series of itineraries on, and off, site. "One of the most popular activities was the Ultimate Chef competition, based on Masterchef," says Campbell. The group is planning to repeat the event in 2018, when they will have new restaurants to introduce and news of upcoming 2020 property London. "Macau's MICE business has been driven by a number of factors," adds Campbell. "The growth of the China market, especially tier 2 cities, general interest in Macau as a destination, new hotel inventory and new infrastructure means we are expecting Macau to experience long- term growth in this area." Bruno Simeos, managing director of DOC DMC Macau, offering incentive travel programmes, meetings and conference management, and Small World Experience for event management, team building and incentives, and founder of Meetings Incentives and Special Events (MISE) says his leading incentive currently is sky drumming, groups learning the art of the drum 233m above ground on the Macau Tower Skywalk. A new project for 2018 will be their Macau Walking Tours, revealing the city in two-hour bites with audio guides in different languages. Clients are mostly those in Macau for regional meetings from Asia Pacific as well as Japan, Australia and India. Mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore are also well represented, while the US and Australia are growing. At MCI Group, which specialises in tailoring DMC experiences to each client, Olinto Oliveira, director business development and events, sees most of his clients coming from Asia Pacific, although numbers from Europe and America are growing. Last year he saw a spike in requests for outdoors, sporty and extreme experiences such as bungee jumps, super car racing, as well as cocktails on yachts. "It is the rich heritage and culture, the concept of two worlds, east and west, colliding so beautifully within one city, that attracts MICE groups I believe," he adds, calling Macau "an event professional's dream." An exhilarating sky drumming experience by DOC DMC Macau "It is the rich heritage and culture, the concept of two worlds, east and west, colliding so beautifully within one city, that attracts MICE groups..." – BRUNO SIMEOS, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF DOC DMC MACAO More than just culture Words Catherine Nicol Technology, food and culture tempt incentive groups

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