The Asia-Pacific Communication Exchange Association (APCEA), in collaboration with China Mainland Students Associations University of Macau Student Union, organized the first APCEA Business Presentation Contest (ABPC). The event, sponsored jointly by the Macau Foundation, which donated MOP 10,000 in prizes, and the University of Macau (UM), was a complete success.

The ABPC aims to enhance tertiary students’ professionalism in presenting business plans in English. The theme of the first ABPC focused on the novel business ideas to promote Macau and Macau tourism to various regions in the world.

The event was kicked off in November 2010 with a call for participation. A large number of submissions were received and the qualifying groups were asked to send in their proposals for consideration. Qualification screenings, by an expert panel of judges, were done in mid-January 2011. Each team was given a detailed review of their submissions and the judges decided on the 11 participating groups to proceed to the semi-final round.

During the semi-finals, held on February 19, 2011 in the STDM Auditorium of the University of Macau, the 11 participating groups were given the opportunity to showcase their work and were given rich feedback and comments from the judges. The presentations were judged on the quality of the English, the persuasiveness of the speech, the content and the relevance of the topic. Following the assessment by the judges, six groups of finalists were selected to proceed to the finals.

After careful deliberation by the judges, the six groups selected to participate in the finals were: KSPC, Ricardo, Geiliable, JWJ, and Smart 4 from UM, and CONOVO from Macau Polytechnic Institute (MPI). All the participating teams impressed the judges and the audience with their fluent English and their innovative ideas to promote tourism in Macau.

On February 26, 2011 the finals were held in the afternoon at the Adelson Advanced Education Center, the Venetian Resort Hotel. The six qualifying final groups of participants were divided into two sessions. Each group presented their business ideas in front of the expert panel of judges and the audience. Assessment was based on the quality of English, the persuasiveness of the speech, the content, the relevance of the topic and the ability to answer questions from the audience.

The competition invited three judges, who have extensive business and teaching experience respectively in Business Administration, English Education and Public Relations industry. The three judges were: Dr. Javier Cuervo, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Macau, Dr. Peter Jakubowicz, Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Ms. Joy Gong, Public Relations and Promotion Manager, Air Macau.

The competition also named the two best speakers, they were: Sammi NG (UM) and Fan Chaoyi (MPI).

Honorary guests attending the finals were: Ms. Zhang Yunfei, Counselor, Office of Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macau Special Administrative Region, Ms. Chong Chak Yan, Macau Foundation, Mr. Shiwen Hu, representative of the Macau Federation of Students, Professor Chen Huailin, Department of Communication, UM.

Ms. Zhang Yunfei said that Macau is pressured to diversify its industry and build an international tourist metropolis. There is an urgent need for new proposals and innovative ideas. She noted that the ABPC certainly met the needs of this development.

The organizers hope that through this event university students in Macau would be encouraged to promote Macau tourism as the theme, they can develop their own creative business ideas and improve their business skills. At the same time, they can improve their English communication and enhance the application of business English. This contest can be recommended to the surrounding areas of Macau, enhance awareness of Macau in the Pearl River Delta and encourage student networks. In addition, the Macau tourism promotion can generate new ideas, discover talent, and explore creative tourism development and promotional projects.

The grand prize was sponsored by the Macau Foundation. Other sponsors included: Color-Color Photography Group, Cherikoff, TCM, Shi-Yang Overseas Studies Centre and Macau Closer, an English magazine. The event also had support from non-local student association from the Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau Polytechnic Institute, and Institute for Tourism Studies.

To thank all the students and to show its deep gratitude, APCEA sponsored a farewell buffet lunch for all the student helpers and friends on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011 at the Café Temptations, The Star World Hotel, Macau.

The event also received media support and coverage in Macau. Macau Lotus TV has an exclusive right to broadcast the speech event. Report in the Macau Daily News (Feb. 27, 2011). (Ed. Note: 商務英語演講賽澳大奪冠)