THE ongoing 8th edition of Business Events Penang (BE), a significant event by the Penang Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEB), is hosted at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre and is set to conclude tomorrow.
PCEB chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran highlighted the theme ‘BE Reinvents,’ emphasising the state government’s commitment to adapting to industry changes.
Ashwin noted the growth of BE from a local knowledge-sharing initiative to an Asia Pacific event, with the highest participation in 2019, exceeding 400 attendees.
“Initially, BE started as a platform for local industry players to share knowledge, and over time, it evolved into a broader initiative spanning the Asia Pacific region,” Ashwin said.
This year, approximately 200 participants are expected, providing an excellent networking platform.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai emphasised Penang’s role as a key player in hosting BE events, citing its strategic location for international conferences, particularly in engineering and medical fields.
“Penang’s synergy between manufacturing and tourism, including semiconductors and healthcare, contributes to its prominence.
“Given Penang’s role as a manufacturing hub in the Asia Pacific region, the symbiotic relationship between the manufacturing sector and tourism holds significant importance,” Wong said.
Wong shared Penang’s world-class conference facilities, including Setia SPICE Convention Centre, Penang International Convention Centre (PICCA) @ Butterworth Arena, and the upcoming Penang Waterfront Convention Centre.
Additionally, initiatives include roadshows targeting key players in the tourism industry in India and China, with the goal of promoting Penang as a premier BE destination and fostering stronger ties with these nations.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siew Chia En