MEGA-EVENTS are on the way back in Macau after 6,000 delegates from a Chinese health products company attended a four-day conference and tour under stringent but efficient hygiene protocols.
Organisers of the Pro-Health China 25th Anniversary conference and gala at Sands Resorts Macao say the Sands SafeStay health and safety measures put in place by the venues, along with the success of the event, lights the way for larger business events in Macau.
The Pro-Health event, held April 20-23, was the largest conference held in Macau since the Covid-19 pandemic forced a worldwide slowdown for the MICE industry. Business events in mainland China resumed large in-person formats towards the end of 2020 while Macau authorities gradually implemented travel visas for visitors from China.
Client reaction
Li Dao, president of Pro-Health China, said the tailormade package put together by the Sands Resorts Macao team exceeded his expectations.
“We were very satisfied with the arrangements, from the check-in process, the fast and efficient cleaning of rooms, to the quality of the meeting venues and other facilities. While the preparation time was tight, with only three months for the entire process, Sands Resorts Macao team communicated with us very effectively, quickly overcoming any issues. Our event was subsequently a huge success.”
Dao said that while attendance was curtailed by strict requirementa for anti-epidemic measures and social distancing, Sands Resorts Macao’s health and safety measures effectively paved the way for larger future visits.
Pro-Health China selected Macau due to a convenient location with access from across China and the size of the world-class facilities in Cotai where delegates were accommodated at The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao and Sheraton Grand Macao.
Delegates arrived in Macau at different times with the Sands Resorts Macao team providing a flexible arrangement beyond usual operating hours. Transport was also provided from the Gongbei and Hengqin border crossings, which made arrival even more convenient for such a large group.
Pro-Health China, which produces and sells health-related products, held the conference to review the past year while mapping out future strategies. The event was also an ideal opportunity to celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary.
The four-day programme included a Macau tourism seminar held at Cotai Arena with the anniversary gala dinner and ceremony at The Venetian Ballroom.
Throughout the event, delegates could join city tours to gain an understanding of Macau’s unique cultural heritage. Groups visited old Taipa and the Unesco World Heritage sites, which include the iconic Ruins of St Paul, A-Ma Temple and Taipa Houses-Museum.
Sands SafeStay Guarantee
Sands Resorts Macao deployed its proprietary Sands SafeStay health and safety protocol to ensure the safety of guests and staff. The stringent and comprehensive system, introduced in 2020, focuses on sanitisation, prevention and contactless service.
The hundreds of individual measures included temperature checks at entrances, Macau government health declaration checks, hygiene kits for check-in and regular disinfection of public areas.
Social distancing and increased spacing between tables and seats were implemented in convention areas and Cotai Arena during breakout meetings and the conference events. Another initiative was a wristband for delegates who been tested and given the all-clear.
