The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the city’s most technologically-advanced purpose-built facility for conventions, exhibitions, entertainment and private functions, continues to make headway in the Australian market with two more wins – one medical congress hosted by an Australian association to be held in 2012 and a seven-day incentive event for 850 delegates for an Australian multi-level marketing company in 2010.
In addition, the Centre has successfully bid for a 3,000-delegate international medical conference for 2014 and a five-day 1,000-delegate science and technology conference to be held in 2011.
According to the Centre’s General Manager, Peter Brokenshire, the wins reaffirm the Centre’s growing reputation as the venue of choice for business tourism in the region. “The Australian wins further strengthen the growing relationship between the Centre and the Australian business community, here and in Australia.”
Elaborating, Brokenshire explained that to date, the Centre has been the preferred venue for several events organised by locally-based Australian companies and the Australian High Commission.
“These include the Study in Australia Education Fair which returned to the Centre for the fourth time in 2008 and recorded some 3,000 visitors, the Australia Day Reception 2008 and 2009, the 300-delegate Retravision National Seminar 2008, 850-delegate 9th Hagemeyer Connections Conference & Trade Expo 2007, 550-delegate Harvey World Travel Conference 2006 and 1,250-delegate Flight Centre Incentive in 2005, just after the Centre opened.
“And of course, we were very pleased to have the joint luncheon organised by the Malaysia-Australia Business Council (MABC) with the Australia-Malaysia Business Council (AMBC) here in conjunction with the Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd’s first official visit to Malaysia.”
Brokenshire said the support from the Australian business community is especially gratifying given the Centre’s manager and operator, Convex Malaysia Sdn Bhd, is a joint-venture with AEG Ogden Pty Ltd, Australia.
While pleased with the recent wins, Brokenshire reiterated that it is imperative Malaysia maintain her competitiveness in the international convention and exhibition arena, especially in light of the current global economic scenario, as tourism is the country’s second largest foreign exchange earner after manufacturing.
“This is also in line with the government’s objective of accelerating the domestic private sector and stimulating the services sector to spearhead economic growth.
“High-calibre events such as conventions and meetings attract what is known in the meetings industry as ‘super tourists’ that is, delegates who are generally known to boast the longest average stay and the highest average spending power by almost five times compared with typical leisure travellers. The estimated RM 568 million (AUD 244 million, AUD 1 = RM 2.33) spillover generated from this sector alone in 2008 garnered significant benefits for the city especially suppliers to the industry, retailers, restaurants, hotels and domestic tourist destinations.”
Brokenshire attributed the Centre’s continuing success in winning international and regional business tourism events to the close working relationship enjoyed by the Centre and its Team Malaysia partners; Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines (MAS), Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), which is now further strengthened by MyCEB, the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau.
For more information, visit www.klccconventioncentre.com
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