THE World Hospitality, Lifestyle and Entertainment Exhibition and Conference (WHOLE PENANG 2020) will inject the much-needed economic boost for 100 exhibitors when it is held at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre from Sept 10 to 12.
Penang Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said WHOLE PENANG 2020 would be promoting companies that specialise in coffee, tea & desserts, digital finance & banking, e-commerce hotel systems, food, beverage & related supplies, food equipment, hotels, logistics, medical tourism, state & agencies, tourism & tourism products, wine & spirit and other supplies.
“WHOLE PENANG 2020 will gather all these companies under one roof to assist the government to further boost the domestic tourism sectors and highlight other sub and supporting sectors,” Yeoh told a press conference to promote the event at Setia SPICE Convention Centre today.
“The local exhibitors will have a physical booth and also a virtual booth to connect with the international exhibitors through WHOLE 2020 Virtual Exhibition platform.
“This will be a new norm (because of the Covid-19) until international borders are re-opened.
“This will be the platform to rejuvenate businesses.”
Alpine Integrated Solution Sdn Bhd, which is organising the three-day event, is expecting 3,000 visitors.
Yeoh was optimistic that the hybrid exhibition would help revive the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.
He stressed that the most important thing during a pandemic was to think out of the box to meet the immediate challenges.
“During times such as this, we need creativity to make things happen.
“We cannot let the situation overwhelm us but must find ways to come out of it,” Yeoh added.
Buletin Mutiara is the official media partner of WHOLE PENANG 2020.
The event is also supported by the Ministry of Agriculture & Food Industries, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture and the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia).
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri will officiate the opening ceremony on Sept 10 while Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow will officially close the event on Sept 12.
Meanwhile, Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran said WHOLE PENANG 2020 is partnering with all the nine ASEAN Tourism Malaysia offices to bring virtual exhibitors, virtual visitors, virtual buyers and virtual speakers.
“This is a commendable effort by Alpine Integrated Solution and I hope this inspires all of our partners to take up more opportunities and consider moving towards enhancing hybrid events.
“We would like encourage everyone from the business events, hospitality and tourism sectors to visit WHOLE physically if you are residing in Malaysia, and if you’re based abroad, do tune in virtually,” added Ashwin.
The exhibition will also feature cooking demonstrations from famous Malaysian chefs which will be streamed live from Penang, the Netherlands and Australia.
All sessions will be available for both the virtual and physical visitors with a total of 35 lucky draw prizes up for grabs throughout the event.
Those who are interested to visit the physical exhibition, visit https://in.eregnow.com/ticketing/register/eregnow.whole.my whereas for the virtual visitors, check out https://wholemy.dreamcast.ae/
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Law Suun Ting