AEE to possibly leave Macau this year

The Asia Entertainment Expo (AEE) might not be held this year, according to Kenny Lo, CEO of Vertical Expo Services Company Limited (VES), during the Asia Emergency Management Conference, the Macao Daily News reported. Lo advised a possible cancelation may be the consequence of the government’s adjustments to the subsidies program beginning this year, whereby a reduction of funds is anticipated. “AEE is a professional exhibition, independent of government funds, but the costs still must be taken into consideration,” explained Lo, further adding that the high costs are because Macau needs to offer more incentives than Hong Kong, where AEE has also been held, in order to attract buyers. The CEO noted that overseas buyers dislike coming to Macau, because they must first go through Hong Kong. Additionally, he said that organizers must carefully consider the logistical costs. Lo said that in previous years Macau-based venues for AEE were attractive to non-local exhibitors because the government provided funds that helped reduce the cost to participants. AEE has been held in Macau for eight years, while in Hong Kong the first expo took place in 2013. AEE is one of the two exhibitions VES has organized in Macau, the other being the Asia Funeral and Cemetery Expo & Conference.