THE Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) is organising the fourth edition of BE@Penang, Malaysia’s biggest business events conference, on Dec 5 and 6 at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre.
This year, the inaugural International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Asia Pacific Summit will also be held concurrently with the BE@Penang.
PCEB chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran said a total of 40 speakers from the Asia Pacific would be taking part in the events.
“Speakers from India, China, Australia, New Zealand, and others will be participating in the events. These two conferences will set a higher standard for Penang, in terms of organising world-class conferences,” Ashwin said.
Penang Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the future of business events in Penang is bright.
“We are excited to welcome the future with open arms.
“PCEB had published its annual review early this year and it showed that Penang hosted 2,733 business events in 2018. It was a 118% increase from the 1,251 events hosted in 2016.
“We look forward to more collaborations from partners from the global industry,” he told a press conference in Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Yeoh said he was also proud and honoured to witness the success of PCEB, which had won the ‘Best Convention and Exhibition Bureau’ award during the Malaysia Tourism Council Gold Awards 2019 at the Palace of the Golden Horses on Oct 25.
“It is a great recognition for the efforts that PCEB had put in to lead, develop and elevate the state’s business events industry.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow congratulated PCEB for winning the ‘Best Convention and Exhibition Bureau’ award.
“I am proud that PCEB is continuously making waves in the international business event market and setting the bar higher for the state’s tourism industry.
“To host the BE@Penang and ICCA Asia Pacific Summit concurrently, is a giant leap for the business events industry.
“The knowledge exchange between the delegates at the events will provide endless possibilities for a bright future for business events,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi and Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Law Suun Ting