New ice attractions at the CotaiExpo to cool down Macao’s hot summer
(Macao, April 26, 2012) – Ice World, Asia’s biggest indoor ice event, returns to The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel for the second time, following the incredible success of last year’s exhibition. Ice World 2012 will be held from May 19 until September 16, 2012 at CotaiExpo™ Hall F.
“We are delighted to bring Ice World back to Macao again,” said Gene Capuano, Vice President of Convention & Exhibition Operations, Venetian Macau Ltd. “About 230,000 people visited last year, averaging about 1,600 visitors per day. To meet popular demand, we extended the exhibition period for an additional month to allow more people to come and see the fantastic display of ice sculptures, and to cool off during the hot Macao summer. With completely new attractions this year, we know that both residents and tourists alike will enjoy the spectacular universal appeal of this unique showcase of ice-sculpting artistry.”
“The Venetian Macao is once again proud to host this remarkable family event. With the mix of shows and exhibitions held in our venues, we are proud to be a leading and innovative event organiser in the region,” Capuano added. Ice World is a prime example of the efforts of Sands China Ltd. to broaden the appeal of Macao as one of Asia’s leading leisure and business destinations, bringing more visitors to Macao and increasing their length of stay.
Supported by the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), the 18,000-square-foot indoor ice hall will be kept at a chilly minus 8 degrees Celsius, and will be divided into ten zones featuring magnificent ice sculptures. This year’s exhibits include a wide range of new and exciting themed areas and sculptures: some of Macao’s signature icons, such as the lotus flower, pandas, Macau Grand Prix and Macao heritage sites. Other exhibits include a Fairy Tale Forest, featuring a pumpkin carriage with the backdrop of a frozen waterfall and lake; famous international landmarks; Russian Magic Maze; Asia Delights; an ice labyrinth; the fun Double Dragon Slide; and a musical hall and gallery, featuring an iced piano, guitar, pipe organ and drum set.
“It’s our pleasure to co-organise Ice World with The Venetian Macao again this year and we are very proud to bring such a unique exhibition to Macao for the second straight year,” said Bai Wei, General Manager of Heilongjiang Provincial Ice and Snow Art Development Co. Ltd. “Our Harbin craftsmen are among the finest ice carvers in the world. The Ministry of Commerce and the Department of Cultural Industry of the Ministry of Culture have selected the Heilongjiang Ice Sculptures as one of China’s Outstanding Cultural Exports and Items. This spectacular ice exhibition will be an amazing, entertaining and interactive event for all visitors and will let them walk away with an unforgettable summer.”
Media representatives were given a taste of what’s to come at this year’s exhibition at a press conference Thursday at The Venetian Macao, with a live ice sculpting demonstration. The press conference also announced the winners of a unique competition; Macao community members had a chance to become designers of some of the ice sculptures to be produced for the exhibition by the professional craftsmen from the world-renowned Heilongjiang Provincial Ice and Snow Art Development Co. Ltd. The Venetian Macao invited five schools and 12 community centres to participate in a creative art competition in which participants submitted drawing designs for ice sculptures. With entrants aged from 7 to 85 years old, the contest received 42 design submissions. The two winners announced at the press conference will have their winning designs replicated into ice sculptures and showcased at Ice World 2012. Each winner will be invited to bring nine guests to a luncheon hosted by The Venetian Macao, and will receive ten complimentary tickets to the exhibition.
Ice World 2012 will be open to the public from 12 noon to 8 pm daily, with a general admission price of MOP 100. Hooded coats are provided for warmth and comfort, but visitors are encouraged to dress for the cold, which includes wearing closed-toe shoes and long pants. Socks, gloves and hats may be purchased on site, and limited numbers and sizes of boots will be available for rent as well.
Photo caption: U Weng In, from Escola Católica Estrela do Mar, and George Ao, from the Macau Deaf Association are the winners of the Ice World 2012 Community Art Competition. Their designs will be replicated into ice sculptures by Heilongjiang craftsmen and will be featured at Ice World 2012.
(left) Drawing of student group winner, U Weng In
(right) Drawing of open group winner, George Ao
Photo caption: Professional ice craftsmen, Yu Zhengqiang, give a live sculpting demonstration at a press conference Thursday at The Venetian Macao announcing Ice World 2012.
Photo caption: Representatives of The Venetian Macao, MGTO and Heilongjiang Provincial Ice and Snow Art Development Co. Ltd. at a Thursday press conference announcing Ice World 2012 at The Venetian Macao.
From left to right: Bob Goh, Director of Exhibition Management, The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel; Licénio da Cunha, Head of the Tourism Product and Events Department, Macau Government Tourist Office; Gene Capuano, Vice President of Convention & Exhibition Operations, Venetian Macau Ltd.; Bai Wei, General Manager of Heilongjiang Provincial Ice and Snow Art Development Co. Ltd.; Li Tieying, Project Manager of Heilongjiang Provincial Ice and Snow Art Development Co. Ltd. and the ice craftsmen Yu Zhengqiang.
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About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao's first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat CotaiArena™ designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; MALO CLINIC Health & Wellness; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at The Grand Canal Shoppes. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.