The Fourth ArtBiz Asia Forum Returns on May 9 Energizing Macao's Role as the 'Cultural Capital of East Asia' for Collaborative Cultural Innovation

The Fourth ArtBiz Asia Forum Returns on May 9

Energizing Macao's Role as the 'Cultural Capital of East Asia'

for Collaborative Cultural Innovation

Hosted by the Macao International Culture and Sports Industries Association and co-organized by the Asian IR Expo, the fourth ArtBiz Asia is held today at the Art on 23, Morpheus Hotel in City of Dreams, Macao. As Asia’s premier platform connecting art, culture, and business within the integrated resort and tourism industry, this year’s event is themed "New Exploration in East Asian Arts and Culture," delving into the profound impact of art on integrated resorts and related industries. It aims to provide a platform for forward-looking artists and industry leaders to exchange ideas and explore the diverse roles and potentials of art and culture across tourism, technology, lifestyle, and urban development.

Ms. Patricia Cheong, President of the Macao International Culture and Sports Industries Association and founder of ArtBiz Asia, stated: "What began as a simple idea to connect art and business in new ways has now grown into an annual gathering of creative minds, industry leaders, and cultural innovators from across the region. The fourth ArtBiz Asia focuses on building a dialogue platform for decision-makers in regional cultural tourism and integrated resorts, promoting the commercial diversification and innovative thinking of the arts industry. This year’s theme centers on 'How Art and Creativity Upgrade Cultural Tourism,' bringing together operators of integrated resorts, representatives from art institutions, and leaders in technology and media to deeply explore the empowering effects of innovative models on sustainable tourism and economic growth, constructing a symbiotic ecosystem between art and business."

The content is diverse and speaker lineup is impressive:

• Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office will be the keynote speaker in the morning: exploring how integrated resorts and tourism destinations can harness cultural assets to drive sustainable economic growth, while preserving heritage and enhancing the cultural appeal of travel experiences.

• Local senior architect and artist Carlos Marreiros hosts a panel with Lam Kin Meng from the Cultural Bureau of the Macao SAR, popular Korean designer Teo Yang, and Creative Director of CHIII Design, Mann Lao about The Synergy of Heritage, Arts, and Revitalizing Old Districts. Takes a look on how different regions—China’s deep traditions, Japan’s refined craftsmanship, Korea’s pop culture, and Macao’s East-meets-West identity—integrate culture and creativity into tourism. Through case studies, speakers will discuss the synergy between cultural assets, artistic expression, and the renewal of historic districts.

• Teo Yang also shares his journey of reinterpreting the beauty of tradition through a contemporary lens, under the theme of “Rediscovering Tradition and Locality for the Future.”

• Renowned designer Alan Chan talks about the integration of art and urban living. With over 55 years in the advertising and design industry, he revitalizes urban culture through strategy planning, creative design, and integrated communication.

• Moderated by Macau Closer editor Matthew Potger, Fireside Chat focus on the transformative power of art in redefining resort experiences will feature Helen Wu, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, and Cristina Kuok, SVP of Arts & Culture at MGM, as well as Porcia Leung, SVP of Corporate Brand & Marketing of SJM Resorts, S.A.

• In the session of The Resonance of Traditional Culture and Future Visions, Catarina Lio, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing of MGM, introduces the program “Macau 2049” which redefines the interpretation of Chinese intangible cultural heritage by seamlessly integrating tradition with technology, captivating audiences across generations.

• In new media artist Lin Jiunting's creative sharing, we will see how the artist, rooted in his own culture, presents a new media art world where all things are animate and the mind roams freely. It shows us the beautiful integration of digital technology and the Eastern spiritual imagination.

• Jerry Chiang, Founder of J-CUBE and PULSE KINGDOM, has a dialogue with Zhang Xiao Yang, General Manager of Marketing in Greater China of POP MART on the topic of Art-tainment and Pop Culture. In-depth discussion from an artistic perspective allows us to clearly see that Pop Art Entertainment, with its fusion of multiple artistic languages and interactive creative experience, has brought tourists shocking sensory enjoyment and a unique sense of participation, sublimating the cultural and tourism experience. While POP culture, through its clever combination with art and meticulous shaping of tourist space, adding a profound culture to tourist destinations.

• Ai Lin, the director of Deji Art Museum, shares insights on amplifying cultural influence through technology, their own cases which are transforming cultural engagement, making it more interactive and globally accessible.

• Doris Duanmu, Senior Exhibition Director of Fosun Foundation, and Mann Lao, Creative Director of CHIII Design, moderated by artnet reporter Huang Yunqi, talk over the co-creation of art, fashion and lifestyle, exploring how artists, designers and brands can break traditional boundaries through collaboration and cross-border dialogues.

• Levina Li and Christine Chan Chiu, Managing Partners from Art-Partners Consultants Limited, also introduce to us how they drive media interest and public traffic, engaging audience locally and internationally through their large-scale public installations, which combine art and commerce, showcasing a certain level of lifestyle and sophistication that elevates the status and attraction of the destination.

After a day full of rich content, the forum will culminate in a networking cocktail reception hosted by Melco Resorts & Entertainment to deepen exchanges within the industry. This forum is funded by the Cultural Development Fund of the Macao SAR Government and supported by the venue sponsor, Melco Resorts & Entertainment.