MyNEWS is the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB)'s quarterly e-newsletter which aims to keep you updated with news and latest developments in the Malaysian business events scene.

We hope you will find MyNEWS of interest and beneficial, and feel free to forward on to your colleagues. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions for MyNEWS. Let us know your thoughts. E-mail to: info@myceb.com.my

Thank you.

ZULKEFLI HJ SHARIF
Chief Executive Officer
Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau

MyCEB has recently unveiled a new branding campaign and a new tagline which reinforces its evolving business and embraces the positioning of Malaysia as Asia’s business events hub. Created to convey Malaysia's value propositions for business events, the branding's reveal was officiated by YB Dato' Dr James Dawos Mamit, Deputy Tourism Minister at Central Market Kuala Lumpur.

It is another step up for MyCEB as it launches the first phase of its website and the Quick Response (QR) code at the IMEX America tradeshow as an integral part of its strategic efforts to compete on the international business events arena more effectively.

The UK-based Moulden Marketing Ltd has recently been appointed as the bureau's European sales and marketing representation office. Moulden Marketing will assist with bids, sales promotions, media relations and marketing programmes in the important European convention and incentive market. The appointment of Moulden Marketing aims to create an expanded market base in Europe which should help provide clients with a seamless experience, convenience and favourable facilitation.

Setting a milestone in the USA-based Global Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)'s history, the 70th IIA International Conference 2011 celebrated its first meeting in Asia with a record attendance of 2,200 delegates for a conference held outside the USA. It also provided a platform to celebrate the IIA's 70th anniversary on a high note.

An impressive ensemble of international and local industry experts was present for a think tank session on how to strengthen Malaysia's international competitiveness in the global business events market at the Malaysia Meetings Innovation Day Seminar 2011. Co-hosted by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the event themed ‘Meeting Outside the Box' was created by MyCEB to nurture innovative thinking amongst industry players and subsequently, improve Malaysia's ranking as an international meetings destination.

Welcome to our second edition of MyNEWS and the first for 2012. A lot has taken place since our last issue, back in December last year. The Kesatria 1Malaysia Programme which was launched in January 2012 is a sterling example of an initiative driven by MyCEB to further strengthen Malaysia’s position as “Asia’s Business Events Hub”.

It is indeed an exciting time for the business events industry and 2011 was a magnificent year for MyCEB.  Looking ahead, we will continue to work closely with the industry to shape and develop Malaysia’s market positioning together.

We trust this edition will enlighten you on our developments.

Have a prosperous and eventful year ahead.

Thank you.

ZULKEFLI HJ SHARIF
Chief Executive Officer
Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau

On 18^th January this year, MyCEB has officially appointed a total of 17 “ Kesatria” (meaning ‘Knight’) to help develop the business tourism industry, one of Malaysia’s key economic growth sector as identified by the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) roadmap. The programme launch was officiated by YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism and witnessed by stakeholders, industry captains, field experts, partners and the media.

MyCEB in its mission to establish Malaysia as one of the top five meetings destinations in the Asia Pacific by year 2020 has organised the second edition of its series of Innovation Seminars at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. The two-day event, which started on 19 January 2012, brought together an impressive ensemble of international and local industry experts.

The regional seminar and training on Professional Conference Management for meeting and event planners jointly organised by Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) together with International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) took place over three productive days from 14 to 16 March 2012. The seminar saw over 70 participants from around Southeast Asia comprising of professional conference, conventions and event organisers.

The Ministry of Tourism has identified two iconic sites to host large scale business events, namely the Thean Hou Temple and the Central Market, both in Kuala Lumpur. It is part of the Ministry's effort to establish Malaysia as one of the top five business event destinations in the Asia Pacific.

Welcome to our third edition of MyNEWS. Kuala Lumpur is still buzzing from the success of the recently concluded 25th World Gas Conference 2012 (WGC2012) which drew a strong crowd of more than 5,000 delegates from all over the world.

WGC2012 is a perfect example of the right way to create a winning international conference. Innovation, collaboration and culmination of ideas are indeed key ingredients in staging a great show that crossed the pond with added top-notch value. As a partner of WGC2012, MyCEB is proud of the success of WGC 2012 organising committee led by its Chairman, Datuk Anuar Ahmad and President of International Gas Union (IGU), Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahim Hashim, who is also one of MyCEB’s appointed 'Kesatria'.

Going forward, let us all work towards a fantastic 3rd quarter of the year and as we welcome the beginning of Ramadhan this week, I wish all our Muslim friends "Ramadhan al-Mubarak"!

Thank you.

ZULKEFLI HJ SHARIF
Chief Executive Officer
Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau

The strong commitment and admirable efforts of Datuk (Dr) Abdul Rahim Hashim, President, International Gas Union (IGU) 2009 – 2012 Triennium, Malaysian Gas Union and the National Organising Committee as organiser to put on an amazing show in hosting the recently concluded prestigious World Gas Conference 2012 (WGC2012) has certainly been outstanding.

With international accolades pouring in and a string of significant milestones, there has never been a better time for MyCEB to impress the 3,500 buyers and other exhibitors who attended the IMEX 2012 tradeshow in Frankfurt recently. Themed “Malaysia Establishes Global Presence”, coined especially for this event, MyCEB hosted a press conference for the international trade media, with an engaging presentation on Malaysia’s innovative programmes, its offerings to the global market and the many achievements since it started operation in July 2010.  However, what really caught the attention of attendees was MyCEB’s “Spice Market” Cocktail Reception at the Malaysian booth.

MyCEB, Tourism Malaysia and its industry partners created a huge impact on Korea’s corporate meeting and incentive planners at the Malaysia Business Events Roadshow in Korea, April this year. MyCEB’s inaugural roadshow to the country also known as ‘the land of the morning calm’ covered two cities, namely Busan and Seoul to launch the Malaysia Twin Deal for Korea.

To date, MyCEB has planted exactly 1490 trees under the country’s first ever environmental programme for business tourism. The campaign, aptly named ‘Let’s Meet & Green’, was launched by MyCEB in November 2010 in support of the government’s commitment to offset carbon emissions by 40 percent by year 2020.

Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) announces that GainingEdge has been appointed as their sales representative for the Australian and New Zealand business events market effective from May 2012. A global consultancy firm that specialises in the international business events industry, GainingEdge’s appointment is seen as a strategic approach by MyCEB to increase its global presence in key markets and to engage dedicated business event specialists with local knowledge and expertise.

Mohd Nordzat Mohd Yusop has recently been appointed as Senior Manager, Finance and Administration for MyCEB. Nordzat holds a Bachelor of Accountancy from the International Islamic University, Malaysia.

It is with pleasure for me to welcome you to MyCEB’s fourth edition of MyNEWS. Since our last edition in the previous quarter, we have been blessed with many positive happenings and outstanding successes.

We are exceptionally proud and thankful for our bid wins including the Toastmasters International World Convention due to be held in Kuala Lumpur in 2014. It will be the first time that the Toastmasters Convention travels outside North America, reassuring us once again of Malaysia’s capability to compete globally in hosting world-class events.

Together with our industry partners, MyCEB will continue to strive to place Malaysia at the pinnacle of business tourism. We are looking forward to a more productive Quarter 4 and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has contributed in steering the industry to its current successful direction.  

Thank you.

ZULKEFLI HJ SHARIF
Chief Executive Officer
Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau

The success of Malaysia Twin Deal (MTD) Programme launched in several countries including China, Australasia, Taiwan, Europe and recently Korea has prompted MyCEB to launch the programme to other markets. This time, India-based meeting planners and agents are the next one to benefit from the programme when MyCEB launched the MTD India programme in August during a special press conference in the second most populous country in the world.

MyCEB has recently released a new Corporate Meeting & Incentive Guide also unveiling a sub brand, “Malaysia – Asia like never before”, for the incentive market.

MyCEB hosted a familiarisation trip (famtrip) from the 29th July to 3rd August 2012. Joined by eight corporate meeting and incentive planners from the United States of America, the famtrip aimed to introduce Malaysia as a unique incentive destination.

To kick off 2013, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our fifth edition of MyNEWS.

In our first newsletter of the year, we will be recapping the trailing ends of a magnificent 2012. From Malaysia gaining more recognition in the regional and global business events industry to MyCEB’s countless initiatives to further innovate the local business events scene and winning more bids for the country with its industry partners, 2012 has indeed been an eventful year for all of us.

On behalf of MyCEB, I wish that 2013 will be an even more dynamic year for Malaysia’s business events industry. We are committed to achieve the mandate to position Malaysia as Asia’s Business Events Hub and empower our industry partners to become productive players on the world stage.

We believe that this informative newsletter will enlighten you on how we have ended a fruitful 2012 and how we intend to begin 2013 - with impact of course!

Thank you for your constant support to MyCEB!

ZULKEFLI HJ SHARIF
Chief Executive Officer
Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau

World experts on lung health converged in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 13 – 17 November 2012 to attend the prestigious 43^rd Union World Conference on Lung Health (the Conference) organised by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (the Union) and supported by the Ministry of Health Malaysia and Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB).

To end the productive year of 2012, MyCEB presented its current achievements and revealed its future plans to further boost Malaysia’s business tourism industry in its recent 2012 Media Briefing session. The Bureau’s successes and plans were announced by the three pillars of MyCEB, namely En. Zulkefli Sharif, Chief Executive Officer; Ms Ho Yoke Ping, General Manager of Sales and Marketing, Business Events Unit (BEU) and Mr. Tony Nagamaiah, General Manager of the International Events Unit (IEU).

MyCEB has successfully organised an Associations Dialogue in an effort to internationalise the local association sector. The initiative which aimed to further grow the industry provided insights of the thriving associations industry and how it relates to the business events industry, ways to motivate members and volunteers as well as to serve as a platform for networking and idea-sharing.

Reliance Conventions & Events (RCE), a local Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) recently joined the ranks of three other companies already appointed by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) as Tier 1 members of its Professional Conference Organiser Partner Programme (PPP). A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on 1 November 2012 between RCE and MyCEB, officiating the strategic partnership.

MyCEB once again led a successful sales mission, the last of the year to Australia. The Bureau’s Roadshow in Australia spanned over two cities namely Melbourne and Sydney was joined by eight industry partners including Penang Global Tourism, Sabah Tourism Board, Malaysia Airlines, Discovery Overland Holidays Sdn Bhd, Pacific World,  UCSI Communication Sdn Bhd, Accor and CHM Hotels.

Malaysia will host Asia’s future leading architects in 2014 when they convene in the country for the 16^th Asian Congress of Architects 2014 (ACA 2014). The Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) made the announcement today.

MyCEB recently welcomed a new addition to its communications team.

As we stride into the second quarter of 2013, I would like to present to you our sixth edition of MyNEWS, April 2013.

In this edition, we are disclosing how we have fared for the year 2012. MyCEB is proud to announce its 2012 Business Review results which has been nothing less than impressive! I would like to take this opportunity to thank my team for their tremendous hard work and well done effort for the previous year.

To continuously grow the industry, we have successfully organised and hosted two prestigious events for our industry partners. MyCEB’s Kesatria Gala Evening Dinner and the Industry Partner Programme (IPP) Networking Session were truly fruitful events for partners to network and catch-up on each other’s latest offerings.

With more bid wins and activities in the pipeline, stay connected to us through MyNews or get in touch with us for more information on Malaysia’s business events industry.

Thank you for continuously supporting MyCEB!

ZULKEFLI HJ SHARIF
Chief Executive Officer
Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau

As part of MyCEB’s efforts to elevate the country’s business events industry, the Bureau successfully organises its first Industry Partner Programme (IPP) Networking Session for 2013. The event aims to further strengthen Malaysia’s competitive position in the global business tourism market by connecting various industry partners to share knowledge and information on industry updates.

MyCEB has recently appointed an additional ten Kesatrias (‘Knights’ or ‘Warriors’) during a special inauguration ceremony to add to its existing batch of 17 Kesatria. The MyCEB’s Kesatria 1Malaysia Programme Gala Evening held at the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (The Centre) was a glamourous event, attended by key people in the country’s tourism industry. They include YB Dato’ Dr. James Dawos Mamit, Deputy Minister of Tourism Malaysia, YBhg Dato’ Dr. Ong Hong Peng, Chairman of MyCEB and Zulkefli Haji Sharif, CEO of MyCEB. The occasion was also joined by the pioneering batch of Kesatria, stakeholders, association leaders, strategic partners as well as the media.

MyCEB has recently participated in the Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo 2013 (AIME 2013) tradeshow from the 26-27 February. Accompanied by 31 industry players including convention bureaus, various state tourism departments, destination management companies and hotels, MyCEB has once again impressed visitors with activities showcasing the best of Malaysian culture.

Over 400 of the world’s best concierge from more than 43 countries are expected to converge in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the 61^st Les Clefs d’Or UICH International Congress in 2014 as announced in the recent Pre-Event Launch of the Congress. The Congress will be organised from 11^th – 16^th January 2014 under the patronage of YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Minister for Tourism, Malaysia.