An impressive ensemble of international and local industry experts were lined up for a think tank session on how to strengthen Malaysia’s international competitiveness in the global business events market at the inaugural Malaysia Meetings Innovation Day Seminar 2011, organised by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) recently.
A prominent line-up of industry specialists were specially invited to participate in Malaysia Meetings Innovation Day Seminar 2011.
From left to right: Mike Williams (Senior Consultant, GainingEdge), Datuk Peter Brokenshire (General Manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre), Tony Nagamaiah (General Manager – International Events Unit, MyCEB), Jill Henry (Chief Executive Officer, Sarawak Convention Bureau), Martin Sirk (Chief Executive Officer, ICCA) and Gary Grimmer (Chief Executive Officer, GainingEdge).
Co-hosted by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the event themed ‘Meeting Outside the Box’ was an opportunity created by MyCEB to encourage and nurture innovative thinking amongst industry players and subsequently, improve Malaysia’s ranking as an international meetings destination.
Malaysia’s goal is to be one of the top five meetings destinations in the Asia Pacific by year 2020. According to ICCA rankings, Malaysia is currently positioned at number seven with a 24 percent increase in the number of international conventions held in year 2010.
Headlining the seminar was Martin Sirk, Chief Executive Officer of ICCA. Sirk said, “Asia has undoubtedly been the ‘hot’ meetings destination over the last ten years, mirroring the dynamism of its economy and the tremendous strides the region has taken in terms of innovation, R&D and all forms of new technology. This combination of growth and innovation is what is driving the development of the region’s meetings industry, and it is no surprise to see Malaysia at the forefront of this trend”.
Martin Sirk, CEO, ICCA (centre) leading the engaging discussion on how to strengthen Malaysia’s International competitiveness in the global business market
“The government and private sector in Malaysia have not only been investing strongly in terms of great infrastructure, but also in professional education and in raising service standards. Even though the world is becoming even more competitive, Malaysia is in a great position to position itself as a top level meetings destination, and I see the inclusion of international meetings in the country’s ‘Economic Transformation Programme’ as symptomatic of their clear understanding of our industry’s strategic importance,” he added.
Joining Martin Sirk were a prominent line-up of industry specialists specially invited to participate in an open discussion on a range of hot industry topics particularly in key areas which would grow Malaysia’s competitiveness.
Amongst the topics presented include ‘Competing with the Best’ by Gary Grimmer (Chief Executive Officer, GainingEdge) and ‘Competition – Sleeping with the Enemy or Strategic Planning?’ by Mike Williams (Senior Consultant, GainingEdge) plus an interactive panel discussion between the experts.
Speaking about the seminar, Zulkefli Hj Sharif (Chief Executive Officer, MyCEB) said, “I am extremely pleased that we have gathered this dynamic and diverse team of industry experts in Kuala Lumpur to engage with potential local hosts as well as our industry players. We hope that all participants would take this information to strengthen their knowledge, awareness and skill sets to further propel Malaysia as a premier business events destination.”
In conjunction with the seminar, an Association Advisory Group Innovation Workshop was also initiated by MyCEB for the industry and national associations, to explore ways Malaysia can lift its profile and influence at the global stage.
