The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre), Malaysia’s premier purpose-built venue, has recently seen a positive trajectory for the Malaysian business events as it enters the recovery phase. Since reopening earlier in the year, the Centre has had a significant bounce back in the demand for in-person events, with the venue achieving 40 percent more than its 2022 target. With close to 1,350 events successfully hosted and over 360,000 delegates welcomed, the Centre has contributed approximately RM285 million ($62 million) in economic impact to Malaysia this year.
The Centre's 2022 results equate to about 90 percent of its 2019 performance and with about 100 events or 50 percent of its 2023 target already confirmed, the business events leader in Malaysia anticipates the industry returning to pre-pandemic levels sooner than expected.
Alan Pryor, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre's general manager, said, “We are delighted that the industry is enthusiastic and keen to attend in-person events again, which is positively contributing to the strong bounce back of meetings and events in Malaysia. Seeing international conventions and exhibitions, either returning to or choosing Malaysia for the first time, reaffirms our attractive destination proposition. We have noticed more international exhibitors requesting site-visits for their upcoming meetings, we look forward to welcoming more international meetings and events moving forward.”
Pryor added, “We are also excited to return to IBTM World in Barcelona this November 29 to December 1, as the European market is important to us. We are greatly looking forward to engaging with our customers and stakeholders there, some of whom we haven’t seen face-to-face for quite some time, to share our latest updates including our journey on becoming a sustainable venue and destination. Together with our Kuala Lumpur Convention Business Events Alliance (KLCCBEA) partners, we offer a sustainable meetings destination where delegates can travel to, meet and stay in the heart of city center, as well as interact in an environmentally- and socially-responsible setting.”
The Centre is located in the heart of the integrated Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) precinct, a 100-acre city-within-a-city development with on-site hotels, a premium shopping mall and the 50-acre KLCC Park, all overlooking the world’s iconic Petronas Towers, making it the perfect meeting spot for any business events delegate.
With the vision of making Kuala Lumpur Asia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Hub and to effectively roll-out its sustainability initiatives, the Centre established the first public-private sector strategic partnership with URBANICE Malaysia and formed the KLCCBEA Sustainability Sub-Committee. The Centre is working closely to develop and implement programs, initiatives and engagements to encourage and inspire people and partners to develop the KLCC SDG precinct into a hub that delivers a sustainable journey and impactful experience to clients, visitors and the public.
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