Ambitious: Macau positions itself among Asia’s best locations for MICE events

Macau is challenging for its place among the region’s best in terms of meetings, incentives, exhibitions and conventions (MICE) venues, with constantly upgraded facilities. Near the Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal, Fisherman’s Wharf brings a dash of fantasy to meetings and events.

One of the largest spaces on the Macau Peninsula, options range from 10-person meetings to a large gathering of up to 3,000 people, with three main halls, five multifunction rooms, two VIP rooms and a large foyer for cocktail receptions, with sizes ranging from 200 square metres to 2,740 square metres.

With a pan-European theme, Fisherman’s Wharf offers unique environments for team building, including a 3,500-square-metre Roman Amphitheatre that emulates the Coliseum in Rome, and can host up to 2,000 people with world-class audio and visual technology.

Sands Resorts Macao is hosting a “Smart Meetings” offer across its seven properties and 150,000 square metres of meetings and events space. Running until December 22, 2018, the offer includes a 5 per cent discount on the master bills, 20 per cent off audiovisual equipment, complimentary rooms (one per 25 rooms booked) and room upgrades, and 50 per cent discounts off Cotai Water Jet ferry tickets, along with entertainment across the hotel group.

The package is available at The Venetian Macao, Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Conrad Macao, Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central, Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, The St. Regis Macao, and The Parisian Macao. With this range of hotel choices, there will be something to suit everyone.

Some highlights of this group include offerings at Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel. The resort offers the 4,800-square-metre Kashgar Ballroom, which can cater for 5,000 guests, with an outdoor Tiki Pool that overlooks the Cotai Strip – perfect for cocktail events or dinners – or The Terrace Suite, which also has a commanding view over the strip on the 41st floor. All told, the hotel has 14,000 square metres of meeting space, plus access to a further 5,000 square metres in the Sands Cotai Central complex. And don’t forget the Cotai Expo at The Venetian Macao with 75,000 square metres of exhibition space, and 6,500 square metres, a ballroom, 108 meeting rooms with more than 18,600 square metres of meeting space.

Just round the corner is the St. Regis Macao, which hosts the Astor Ballroom – catering for approximately 500 guests – the Manor restaurant with five different venue options, and the opulent St. Regis Bar which delivers everything from cocktails to afternoon tea sets.

One of the newer venues in Cotai is Studio City, and it does not disappoint with its MICE offerings. The Hollywood-inspired complex is famed for attractions, such as Batman Dark Flight, the Golden Reel Ferris wheel and the House of Magic, but those seeking conference space will not be let down. A 4,000-square-metre indoor Grand Ballroom is set against a backdrop of art deco-inspired architecture, with 1,820 square metres of space, suitable for up to a 1,600-person banquet. One of its greatest strengths, however, is its venues for pre- and post-dinner events.

The Al Fresco garden is connected to the ballroom area, featuring a lush outdoor space, with views of the Golden Reel – the world’s highest figure-8 Ferris wheel. The Golden Reel offers views of the city from 130 metres up in the air, and drinks can also be held at the podium (Level 23) of the structure.

For someone a little more daring, check the Ibiza-style nightclub Pacha Macau, which can seat up to 450 people indoors, with four separate private breakout rooms for up to 25 people each.

The venue also has El Cielo – the outdoor lounge connected to Pacha, with six cabanas with approximately 120 seats. This is also connected to the pool area of Studio City for even more fun. The hotel also has an outdoor garden called The Lawn for barbecue events.

Back on the Macau Peninsula, the MGM has a convention space of 1,452 square metres, including The Grand Ballroom of 807 square metres, and the Vista restaurant for more casual events. Across the road at the Wynn Palace, a Grand Theatre Ballroom and other venues showcase lacquer, mirrors and embroidery in an 18th-century Chinoiserie design.

The venue has 2,440 square metres of space with four meeting rooms, two purpose-built boardrooms and the 1,620-square-metre Grand Theatre Ballroom.

As Macau seeks to increase its credentials as an entertainment hub, expect more opening of hotels, restaurants, clubs and bars.