26 Convention & Incentive Marketing, December 2013/January 2014 www.cimmagazine.com
competing destinations.
“We felt that we really should be learning from what’s happening in Asia,” she says. “We’re losing so much business to Asia, let’s go and have a look at why. There are some things we can’t compete against, like pricing and staffing, but it is an opportunity for our members to benchmark themselves against their type of business, regardless of what sector of the industry they’re in, in Asia.”
The chance to run a business exchange – an appointment programme which facilitates the swapping of information and ideas between similar organisations – between Asian and Australian delegates was also a key attraction.
“It’s not something we can do in Australia because we don’t have the variety amongst the delegates to be able to do it, and they don’t need us to do it, but by taking our membership into Asia we can facilitate a reasonable exchange programme,” says Gaunt.
The Association was also able to access subvention funding from the Malaysian government.
MyCEB bid for the conference as part of “Team Malaysia”, which also includes Tourism Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Malaysia Airports, Malaysia Airlines and Kuala Lumpur
KUALA LUMPUR
Malaysia’s diverse cultural mix, which is made up Malay, Chinese, Indian and nearly 40 indigenous ethnicities is one of its biggest drawcards, according to Ho Yoke Ping, general manager of sales and marketing for Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB).
“It really is a truly Asian
experience, all of Asia in one country,” she says.
“Malaysia is also a land blessed with a wide range of attractions. With its natural landscapes and multi-cultural appeal, the destination offers sheer diversity and top class services. From the modern city of Kuala Lumpur to the rainforest in Sabah and
Sarawak, tropical islands of Langkawi and UNESCO heritage sites, Malaysia offers many exotic and exciting options for pre and post tour programmes for conference delegates.”
Good air access into Kuala Lumpur from Australia is also a plus, with regular flights from capital cities.
Malaysia’s appeal as a destination
Meeting of minds
most exciting for the Malaysian business events industry.
“Winning the MEA conference is a proud achievement not
only for us but our team of partners as well,” says Ho Yoke Ping, general manager of sales and marketing for Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB). “It is a great milestone for us and we will be able to use this as a platform to connect the Australian business
events industry with their Asian counterparts.
“It is also a good opportunity for Malaysian industry partners to
learn and to share knowledge with Australian partners.”
According to Linda Gaunt, chief executive of MEA, it was this opportunity to connect with Malaysia’s business events community that swung the MEA board in favour of holding the event in Kuala Lumpur over
“Holding the MEA conference is definitely a win for us as it allows us
to showcase our offerings to industry professionals from Australasia.”
With the 2014 MEA Annual National Conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur in May, the Malaysian business events industry is set to benefit in more ways than one, discovers Ylla Wright.
When Kuala Lumpur hosts the Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) Annual National Conference 2014 in May next year it will be the first time the conference has been held in South East Asia and only the second time it has been held outside of Australia in the Association’s history.
With the event expected to attract around 600 delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore, ranging from professional conference organisers (PCOs) and corporate meeting planners to event management companies and suppliers to the business events industry, it may not be the largest conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur next year, but it is shaping up to be one of the
Malaysia Asia like never before
Imagine the delight in savouring the rich and colourful Indian culture, embellished by the spectacular backdrop of limestone caves and temples; a spread of traditional Malay delicacies served with rhythmic sounds of hand drums; an array of nyonya treats that goes well alongside Peranakan traditions; and exhilarating adventures that await at the Headhunter Trail. All designed exclusively to enrich your high achievers.
Discover more ideas for theme events and experiences in our Corporate & Incentive Guide. Visit www.myceb.com.my to request a complimentary copy today!
For enquiries, please contact:
MALAYSIA CONVENTION & EXHIBITION BUREAU (MyCEB)
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28 Convention & Incentive Marketing, December 2013/January 2014 www.cimmagazine.com
Convention Centre (KLCC).
“Holding the MEA conference is definitely a win for us as it allows us to showcase our offerings to industry professionals from Australasia,” says KLCC general manager Peter Brokenshire.
The Centre worked closely with other Team Malaysia partners right from the bidding stage to demonstrate full support towards hosting MEA 2014, offering around RM100,000 ($34,000) of complimentary add-ons under its Convention Value-add Programme, and enhancing its food and beverage offerings to reflect a truly Malaysian experience.
“Malaysia is blessed with a multi-cultural society, which provides the Centre with the perfect opportunity to highlight the uniqueness of the country
through various offerings,” he says. “One such example is Culinaria, which embodies Malaysia’s creative cross-cultural cuisine and brands our culinary services as an enriching, multicultural and value-added food and beverage experience whilst demonstrating the culinary team’s flexibility to create enticing dishes that meet a range of taste and dietary needs.
“Another is our complimentary Cultural Showcase which offers international delegates a brief yet lasting insight into traditional arts and craft such as batik painting, basket weaving, wood carving, songket weaving, pewter smithing, henna painting, and Chinese calligraphy.”
Delegates to the conference will also enjoy the Centre’s location within Kuala Lumpur City
Centre, a 100-acre “city within a city” development that offers a “wide selection of exciting recreational, entertainment, F&B and accommodation options”.
While the programme is still being locked in, Gaunt is confident that the conference will be a success.
“The program will be fantastic,” she says. “We’re doing all these ‘DeepDive’ sessions and, as the conference is so much more accessible in Kuala Lumpur than it is in Australia, we’re trying to get some really good international speakers.”
One hundred early bird tickets released earlier in the year have already been snapped up.
Brokenshire believes the conference “not only provides the Centre with an excellent platform to directly engage with international industry professionals to showcase its first-class offerings but gives ‘Team Malaysia’ a chance to highlight the destination’s unique offerings”.
“Hosting over 500 industry players offers us a great opportunity to highlight Malaysia’s business tourism benefits including direct air access from most major cities around the world, a safe and stable political climate, value-for-money, multi-cultural society, established industry supply chain, world-class infrastructure
and lots of choice for pre- or post-conference tours,” he says.
MyCEB also believes the conference will leave a lasting legacy.
“Apart from the economic benefit this conference will bring to Malaysia (approximately RM 6.4 million or $21.7 million), we are confident that the convergence of meetings industry experts will be able to create a multiplier effect for the country,” says Ho.
“MEA will definitely play an instrumental role in strengthening international business networks between Australia and Asia. And we will be able to leverage on the experience of Australia as a business events destination.
“Networking relationships and collaborations is another benefit that we see from this conference. MEA will provide opportunities for local industry players to do business with Australia and for Australians who would like to engage with Asia. It also presents a platform for Malaysian partners to showcase their products and services.”
She would also like to invite delegates to “explore the diversity of the country and its many attractions”. With 2014 being declared Visit Malaysia Year, this is definitely the perfect time to see, feel and experience Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) is home to not only the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre but also 10 other landmark developments known collectively as Malaysia’s Iconic Experience in Kuala Lumpur (MIEKL).
1 Petronas Twin Towers – the world’s tallest twin towers.
2 Suria KLCC – six levels of shopping and
entertainment, along with more than 30 cafes, bars and restaurants.
3 KLCC Park – a relaxing park in the heart of the city.
Around the Centre4 Petrosains – an “edutainment
experience” showcasing cutting-edge science and technology exhibitions.
5 Petronas Philharmonic Hall – 865-seat hall is specially
designed for symphonic performances.
6 Petronas Art Gallery – the gallery displays a dynamic
range of art, from paintings to experimental works.
7 Aquaria KLCC – this 18,300sqm aquarium boasts
more than 5000 exhibits over two levels.
8 Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur – this premium hotel
is conveniently located and offers its guests the ultimate in services and facilities.
9 Traders Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
– billed as the contemporary hotel for smart business travellers, its known for its Skybar, which offers stunning views of the city.
10 Impiana KLCC Hotel – a chic business hotel with a
convenient location.
Kuala Lumpur’s successful bid was announced at the MEA 2013 conference in Darwin.
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