The IIFA event took off at Macau on 11th June at The Venetian with pomp and show. IIFA Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan addressed the global media. Present on the occasion were the key associates of IIFA 2009. Mr. Bachchan planted a lotus plant during the inaugural press meet.

Present at the event were Ramesh Sippy, Shyam Shroff, Sanjay Khan with son Zayed, David Dhawan, Pahlaj Nihalani, Ritesh Deshmukh, Boman Irani, Sophie Chaudhry, Abbas-Mustan, Resul Pookutty and Govinda.