The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) continues to make headway in the Australian market with two more wins — a medical congress to be held in 2012 and a seven-day incentive event for 850 delegates in 2010.  

The KLCC has also successfully bid for a 3000-delegate international medical conference for 2014 and a five-day 1000-delegate science and technology conference to be held in 2011.

Kuala Lumpar Convention Centre’s plenary hall has
seating for 3000 delegates

KLCC general manager, Peter Brokenshire, said the KLCC has been the preferred venue for several events organised by Malaysian-based Australian companies and the Australian High Commission in Malaysia.

“These include the Study in Australia Education Fair which returned to the centre for the fourth time in 2008 and recorded some 3000 visitors, the Australia Day Reception 2008 and 2009 and the 300-delegate Retravision National Seminar 2008,” he said.   

“And of course, we were very pleased to have the joint luncheon organised by the Malaysia-Australia Business Council (MABC) with the Australia-Malaysia Business Council (AMBC) here in conjunction with the Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd’s first official visit to Malaysia,” he said.

Brokenshire reiterated that it is imperative Malaysia maintain her competitiveness in the MICE arena in light of the economic downturn, with tourism being the country’s second largest foreign exchange earner after manufacturing.

“High-calibre events such as conventions and meetings attract what is known in the meetings industry as ‘super tourists’ that is, delegates who are generally known to boast the longest average stay and the highest average spending power by almost five times compared with typical leisure travelers,” he said.

“The estimated $244 million spillover generated from this sector in 2008 garnered significant benefits for the city especially suppliers to the industry, retailers, restaurants, hotels and domestic tourist destinations.”