Macao has once again been recognised as a top business events hub, winning the title of Best Conventions Destination (Asia) at the 2025 M&C Asia Stella Awards in Bangkok last week. The awards are regarded as one of the region’s most credible industry accolades, with winners being nominated and chosen by industry professionals.
Macao’s Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (known by its Portuguese initials IPIM) noted in a statement that it was the third consecutive year the SAR has received the honour, which carried the name Best Convention City (Asia) in 2023 and 2024.
Irene Chua, Asian vice president and group publisher for Northstar Travel Group – the awards’ organiser – described this year’s winners as “trailblazers, raising the bar for the industry and inspiring us all with innovative best practices that will foster even greater growth for the MICE community.”
[See more: The number of MICE events in Macao rose by almost a third in 2024]
IPIM accepted the accolade at a ceremony on 19 August, held at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit. It also led a delegation of 10 Macao and Hengqin MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) representatives to an associated business matching event.
Sands China was also recognised at the ceremony: Sands Resorts Macao won Best MICE Integrated Resort, while the Best Meetings Hotel (Macao) prize went to the Londoner Macao.
At the ceremony, Northstar stated that Macao’s “top-notch exhibition infrastructure and regional advantages” helped it stand-out in the industry. Its cross-jurisdiction collaboration with neighbouring Hengqin, meanwhile, was also praised for allowing international organisers and delegates to enjoy more diverse venues, cultural experiences and business opportunities.
[See more: Macao’s top finance official underscores commitment to economic diversification]
The business matching segment of the event saw IPIM’s delegation conduct more than 220 one-on-one meetings with international exhibition planners, hotels, destination management companies and professional conference organisers.
Some first-time attendees from Hengqin reported increased interest from Southeast Asian enterprises planning inspection visits to Macao and Hengqin. Industry representatives also expressed interest in expanding into markets in Europe, America and the Middle East, noting the event provided precise client matchmaking and new opportunities for collaboration.
During the Bangkok visit, IPIM also met with more than 20 enterprises to promote Macao and Hengqin as destinations for future exhibitions and conventions – part of broader efforts to diversify the local economy and strengthen the city’s role as an international MICE hub, according to IPIM’s statement.
Other 2025 M&C Asia Stella Awards winners included Singapore (Best MICE Destination), Thailand (Best Meetings Destination), Japan (Best Incentives Destination) and Taiwan (Best Exhibitions Destination).
