Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that a total of 223 MICE events were held in the third quarter of 2012, a decrease of 13 events year-on-year, of which 192 events were held in paid venues. Total number of participants and attendees increased by 34% year-on-year to 699,805. There were 22 exhibitions held in the third quarter of 2012, an increase of 7 exhibitions year-on-year; number of attendees increased by 38% to 684,268. Meanwhile, the other 201 meetings and conferences had 15,537 participants. In accordance with the information collected from the 22 exhibition organisers, there were 16 repeated exhibitions that were previously held in Macao in 2011. The major reasons for selecting Macao as the exhibition destination are "business operation in Macao" (50%) and "expanding local market" (45%). Moreover, the 22 exhibitions held in the third quarter attracted 3,029 exhibitors and 45,504 professional visitors. With an increased number of exhibitions, revenue of the exhibition organisers surged by 319% year-on-year to MOP44.78 million in the third quarter of 2012, mostly from the Financial Support from Government and Other Organisations (71% of total). Expenditure amounted to MOP65.30 million, up by 101% year-on-year, with expenses on Advertising, Promotion & Public Relations; and Production, Construction & Decoration Services accounting for 20% and 19% of the total respectively. In the first three quarters of 2012, revenue and expenditure of the exhibition organisers amounted to MOP69.92 million and MOP97.09 million respectively. Information from 229 exhibitors interviewed showed that revenue of the exhibitors amounted to MOP5.40 million, with 93% coming from Sales of Products. Expenditure amounted to MOP4.15 million, of which Rental for Exhibition Booth accounted for 71%. In the first three quarters of 2012, revenue and expenditure of the interviewed exhibitors totalled MOP25.39 million and MOP9.65 million respectively. There were 728 MICE events held in the first three quarters of 2012, down by 45 events year-on-year. Total number of participants and attendees increased by 29% to 991,602, of which 903,444 attendees were attracted by the 42 exhibitions.
