WHILE the current global economic uncertainty has overshadowed much of 2012, year-to-date, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) has yielded positive results with all business segments meeting their targets and continuing to perform well. From January 1 to September 30, 2012, the Centre hosted 1,119 events; a 13 per cent increase from the 973 held in the previous corresponding period, served 1.2 million delegates and visitors bringing in an economic impact contribution of RM407 million ($134 million) to Kuala Lumpur city and Malaysia.
The numbers since commencing operations in June 2005 total 6,322 events, over 13.2 million delegates in attendance and RM4 billion ($1.3 billion) in economic impact contribution.
The Centre’s reputation as Malaysia’s premier convention facility also continues to garner mileage among its peers, the most recent being the Mice Report Awards 2012 for ‘Best Convention Centre in Asia’ and Gold for ‘Best Print Advertising Campaign’ in the Meetings Industry Marketing Awards (MIMA) 2012 for the Centre’s Batik Sarong Tie-Up Campaign. The Centre is also a finalist in the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ‘Best Marketing Award 2012’, the second time the Centre has been selected in this category.
Attributing the year-to-date success to a committed and dedicated team, the Centre’s general manager, Datuk Peter Brokenshire acknowledged that all team members have worked, and continue to work, very hard to deliver quality products and services and ensure a positive experience for all clients and their guests, regardless of the size of their event.
Earlier this year, the Centre launched its Special Ambassadors Programme, a collaborative effort with Beautiful Gate Foundation and the Selangor Cheshire Home, the programme aims to provide people with learning disabilities, employment and skills training to help them lead independent and normal lives. Currently, there are nine team members under this programme.
The period in review saw the Centre host one of the largest events in its seven and a half years of operation. The 25th World Gas Conference 2012 (WGC 2012) in June saw over 8,000 delegates fill the Centre’s entire 22,659 sq m of function space including a new 2,600 sq m marquee known as Hall 6 that was built specifically for WGC 2012. With more than 25 major events lined up between now and year-end, the Centre moves into the final quarter energised to achieve a record year in 2012.