Malaysia Business Events Bouncing Back Strongly

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre), Malaysia’s premier award-winning 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% 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 (€60 million) in economic impact to Malaysia this year.

The Centre’s 2022 results equate to about 90% of its 2019 performance and with about 100 events or 50% of its 2023 target already confirmed, the world-class business events leader in Malaysia anticipates the industry returning to pre-pandemic levels sooner than expected. According to Alan Pryor, the Centre’s General Manager, “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, having just successfully delivered the much-awaited International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID) Congress 2022.”

Carola van der Hoeff, Chief Operating Officer & Congress Director of the Netherlands-based International Pharmaceutical Federation, while visiting the Centre shared that, “It is my first time in Malaysia, and it is a pleasure to be at the Centre. The venue is impressive, with a lot to offer associations with international conferences. The rooms are very spacious and there is great support from the team, and, of course, the food is delicious. Another thing worth highlighting is that all the hotels are closely connected to the Centre and there are excellent shopping options and a great park right on the doorstep of the venue, which delegates can enjoy while here.”

Pryor added, “We are also excited to return to IBTM World in Barcelona this 29 November to 1 December 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 centre, as well as interact in an environmentally and socially responsible setting.”

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 programmes, 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.