[March 18, 2026] The Finance Elite Cohort of the Faculty of Finance at City University of Macau held a distinguished guest seminar at Room G2213, Golden Dragon Campus. The Faculty was honored to invite Ms. Synthia Chan, Chairperson of the Macau Fair & Trade Association (MFTA) and Vice Chair of the UFI Associations' Committee, to deliver a keynote speech titled "The Economic Impact & Sustainability Efforts of the MICE Industry."

The event commenced at 4:00 PM with a warm welcome speech by Professor Markus Leibrecht, Program Coordinator of the Finance Elite program. Professor Markus expressed his gratitude to Ms. Synthia Chan for sharing her extensive expertise with the students, emphasizing the importance of understanding the synergy between the macro-economy and specialized industries like MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions). Following the opening remarks, a commemorative group photo was taken to mark the occasion.

During the seminar, Ms. Synthia Chan provided a comprehensive analysis of the MICE industry’s role as a global economic engine. She characterized MICE as a "Trillion-dollar Economic Powerhouse," citing data that demonstrates its massive impact on business spending and job creation. Ms. Synthia Chan explained that the industry does not exist in isolation; rather, it drives significant revenue for related sectors, including transportation, hospitality, catering, and retail, thereby accelerating urban economic transformation.

A significant portion of the presentation was dedicated to the industry’s green transition. Ms. Synthia Chan introduced the "Net Zero Carbon Events" (NZCE) initiative, a global movement aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of exhibitions. She detailed specific sustainability strategies such as carbon offsetting, waste reduction, and the integration of digital solutions. She stressed that sustainability is no longer merely a corporate social responsibility but a core driver for long-term economic resilience and international competitiveness.

The presentation was followed by a Q&A session. Professor Markus and the student raised insightful questions regarding the future outlook of Macau’s MICE sector, the primary challenges and obstacles facing the industry, and the transformative impact of using Artificial Intelligence on event management and efficiency. Addressing the development of the MICE industry in Macau, Ms. Synthia Chan pointed out that while the city has established a solid foundation, there is still significant room for progress and continuous improvement to enhance its international competitiveness. Regarding the impact of Artificial Intelligence, Ms. Synthia Chan offered a reassuring perspective, emphasized how Artificial Intelligence brings significant convenience and efficiency, allowing professionals to streamline operations and focus on more creative and high-value tasks.

The event concluded with a souvenir giveaway where the Faculty of Finance presented appreciation to Ms. Synthia Chan for her valuable contribution to the students' professional development. This seminar provided the Finance Elite Cohort students with a unique opportunity to bridge academic theory with industry trends, broadening their vision of Macau’s diversified economic development.

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