Macau hosted more than 245 MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events in 3Q23, up 231 percent compared to the same period last year.

The ‘unprecedented lineup of events’ is expected to be the main driver of Macau’s gross gaming revenue in 4Q23, as Citigroup raises the quarter’s GGR forecast by 7.4 percent quarterly, from MOP51 billion ($6.3 billion) to MOP52.5 billion ($6.5 billion).

Macau hosted more than 490 MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events in the first half of 2023, surpassing the total number of events held throughout the entirety of 2022.

Macau is on track to hold over 1,000 MICE events this year, as the local government expects to welcome over 170,000 professional visitors from mainland China, Southeast Asian countries, and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Hengqin is only 200 meters away from the world's biggest gaming hub Macau and was established in 2009 to help Macau diversify its economy by developing other industries. Now the area is stepping up its efforts for synergy with its neighbors, as luxury hotel brands move in and MICE facilities ramp up. 

Macau welcomed over 200,000 MICE visitors between January and March, including 15,000 trade visitors. Authorities say they’re now expecting over 20,000 business visitors to attend conferences in Macau over the second half of the year.

Macau’s Chief Executive has gone over details of the city’s aim to grow its MICE sector, in a sit down with China’s Vice-Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen.

That's what Macau is hoping - as it estimates a strong rebound in convention and exhibition visitors this year.

Macau’s MICE industry foresees a strong rebound in trade fairs, exhibitions, and conferences this year, but rising costs are worrying organizers.

A panel of gaming insiders and analysts, including Alidad Tash, Vitaly Umansky, and Jorge Costa Oliveira, brainstormed the future of Macau in a session hosted by Macau Business and the France Macau Chamber of Commerce titled “Macau Gaming at Crossroads: The Public Tender and Beyond.”