The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) recorded another year of growth for financial year ended 31 March 2011 with the number of events hosted at 1,181, an increase of 19% from 990 (events) in the previous corresponding period, and over 1.9 million delegates and visitors in attendance.
This in turn, saw its economic impact contribution to Kuala Lumpur city and Malaysia jump 68% to RM773 million, from RM460 million.
Datuk Peter Brokenshire, General Manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, attributed the improved performance to better yield management, utilisation of space and quality of events together with a loyal client base.
All business segments ie, Banquets & Functions, Exhibitions, Meetings & Events, TenOnCall and Entertainment experienced growth while Conventions, maintained at 35 events, included such notables as the 6th World Islamic Economic Forum, World Engineering Science and Technology Conference, World Halal Forum and World Congress of Accountants (WCOA) 2010 which recorded the highest number of participants in the WCOA’s history.
The period in review also saw the Centre gain further international and regional recognition when it became the first convention centre in Malaysia to be awarded ISO 14001:2004 and the first in Asia; and one of only 12 AIPC centres worldwide, to receive the AIPC Gold Quality Standards certification.
In addition, it strengthened its ‘preferred venue’ status with investments in new products and services.
This included the upgrading of its state-of-the-art audiovisual (AV) equipment with the latest data projection, complimentary Internet services on three levels (of the facility) and expanding its ‘We Have A Deal For You’ (WHAD) with PlenaryOnCall comprising six per seat basis half-day and full-day packages for a minimum 150 persons for its 470-seat Plenary Theatre.
It was also good news for the Centre and the industry, when the Malaysian government gave due recognition to the business tourism industry by endorsing it as part of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) and approving a RM25 million Subvention Fund to increase its (local business tourism industry) competitiveness in the global arena.
Moving forward, the Centre is poised for bigger things as its owner, KLCC Holdings Sdn Bhd has committed to the development of Lot 91 adjacent to the Centre. “The expansion, with anticipated completion by late 2013,” said Datuk Brokenshire, “will open up opportunities for the Centre to attract and accommodate larger events.”
In addition, the Centre is looking forward to the completion of the upcoming 450-room Grand Hyatt Hotel and Impiana KLCC Hotel Phase 2 expansion project of 180 rooms to the existing 322 units. This, together with the ‘Greater Kuala Lumpur Development and Economic Transformation Programme’ that includes two kilometers of completed overhead pedestrian walkways linking major places of interests and hotels around Kuala Lumpur city and the overhead bridge linking Impiana Hotel directly to the Centre, will boost the Centre’s central location in the city centre.
Despite continuing investments in the Centre and the precinct, the Centre is not resting on its laurels.
“Cognisant of increasing competition, especially regionally, our strategy for growth will entail entering new markets such as the USA whilst continuing to innovate and develop products and services to offer new insights and experiences so clients have more options when considering the Centre for their events,” concluded Datuk Brokenshire.
