Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 294 MICE events were held in the fourth quarter of 2012, an increase of 22 events year-on-year, of which 263 events were held in paid venues. Total number of participants and attendees increased by 22% year-on-year to 621,359. There were 19 exhibitions held in the fourth quarter of 2012, an increase of 3 exhibitions year-on-year; number of attendees increased by 22% to 586,489. Meanwhile, the other 275 meetings and conferences had 34,870 participants. In accordance with the information collected from 15 exhibition organizers, in the fourth quarter of 2012, there were 11 repeated exhibitions that were previously held in Macao. The major reasons for selecting Macao as the exhibition destination were "business operation in Macao" (73%) and "expanding local market" (40%). The 15 exhibitions held in the fourth quarter attracted 1,967 exhibitors and 19,720 professional visitors. In the fourth quarter of 2012, revenue of the exhibition organizers decreased by 4% year-on-year to MOP85.16 million, mostly from the Financial Support from Government and Other Organizations (89% of total). Expenditure amounted to MOP130.67 million, up by 19% year-on-year, with expenses on Production, Construction & Decoration Services; and Advertising, Promotion & Public Relations accounting for 26% and 13% of the total respectively. Information from 247 exhibitors interviewed showed that revenue of the exhibitors amounted to MOP28.37 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, with 98% coming from Sales of Products. Expenditure amounted to MOP8.43 million, of which Rental for Exhibition Booth and Construction & Decoration accounted for 43% and 33%, respectively. For the whole year of 2012, a total of 1,022 MICE events were held, down by 23 events year-on-year. Total number of participants and attendees increased by 26% year-on-year to 1,612,961, of which 1,489,933 attendees were attracted by the 61 exhibitions, up by 28%. In 2012, revenue and expenditure of the exhibition organizers amounted to MOP155.09 million and MOP234.00 million respectively; meanwhile, revenue and expenditure of the interviewed exhibitors totalled MOP53.76 million and MOP18.08 million respectively.
