The Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) which has been at the forefront of elevating Malaysia’s business events industry since 1990 recently organised the Business Events Forum (BEF) 2019, which drew the participation of 300 local and regional delegates at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
BE Forum (BEF) 2019 takes its fourth edition at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre and engaged prominent experts from within and out of the industry as speakers, including Kamarul Bahrin Haron (Vice President and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Astro Awani), Olivia Jingshu Ji (President and Co-founder of EventBank) and Eric van Piggelen (CEO of Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), among others.
The 1-day forum – themed “BE Memorable”, showcased three sessions: BE Inspired, BE Innovative and BE Youth which focused on the latest mega trends of festivalisation and innovation.
Speaking at the event, Dato’ Vincent Lim, President of MACEOS said, “The BEF is a platform for MACEOS to reflect our four main pillars of promoting Innovation, Development, Education and Advocacy or I.D.E.A. With every Forum, we strategise to stay in-line and present topics that are current and relevant for the BE industry’s developments so it can take our players several steps ahead. Needless to say, we have upheld the BE industry for nearly three decades and will continue to serve by strategically reforming BE. We positioned our self as the “Voice” of the industry, driving efforts to represent BE players.”
BEF 2019 came to a profound outcome that will impact the industry for Malaysia. Adjourning into the second part of the eventful day was the inaugural Malaysia Business Events Awards (MBEA) 2019. The award ceremony not only honoured some of the industry’s best but at the same time, recognised every player who significantly contributed to BE.
The event also witnessed the creation of the ‘Malaysia Iconic Event’ Award, designed to uplift home-grown significant events by its very own niche brand for specific industries which has put Malaysia onto the world map.
Six Malaysian Business Events were presented with the Malaysia Iconic Award, which is hoped to spearhead the efforts of increasing awareness of such events to the industry and particularly to encourage government agencies to work hand-in-hand with the private sector to strengthen Malaysia’s positioning as Asia’s Business Events Hub.
“MBEA has been an eye opener to how far we’ve come in regards to the quality of our home- grown BE events that are on par with global standards. In view of this, MACEOS hopes to garner more support and commitment from the Government to create more visibility for local champions and the next batch of home-grown iconic events. This is both encouraging and inspiring especially for those who are working unceasingly towards creating world-class, creative and innovative platforms that will attract foreign counterparts which in turn will boost business events’ dollars to the country and create more revenue streams for the Malaysian economy,” said Dato’ Vincent.
MACEOS has already mapped out a 10-year plan (2021-2030) and we hope that various authorities will work with us in creating an environment for BE. Our plans include the creation of a Malaysia Business Events Support Fund, research agenda, capacity building and skills development, establishment of a Kuala Lumpur City Bureau, better infrastructure planning and investments as well the reduction of cost and complexity of visa for BE delegates’ arrivals,” explained Dato’ Vincent.
During his speech, Dato’ Vincent noted that, “MBEA is the ‘Oscar’ night (for BE) to recognise the success and celebrate achievements by industry players. It is also the night to show that finalists have demonstrated the courage to rethink creativity to innovate, to inspire and the courage to benchmark their performance to an award-winning level”.
MACEOS is aimed at promoting innovation, development, education, and advocacy (I.D.E.A) of the business industry. In view of the massive potential of the BE Forum to the Malaysian economy, MACEOS continues to sustain and deliver excellent support to the industry by creating certified training programmes for knowledge sharing on the latest trends and best practices and as well as conferring recognition for excellent innovative business events through its Malaysia Business Events Awards.
The Malaysia Business Events Awards 2019 received 70 submissions for 14 categories from industry players of various backgrounds with all categories aiming to promote industry best practices, encourage new and innovative ideas to inspire other businesses, and elevate industry standards of exhibitions, conferences, events, and related activities and services while ensuring business events stay competitive in the global marketplace. In addition, the awards also provide winners with recognition for their successful business endeavours.
The International Trade and Industry (MITI) Deputy Minister, Yang Berhormat Dr. Ong Kian Ming, who is the Guest of Honour of MBEA 2019 said: “I allude MACEOS for 29 years of hosting and making business events in Malaysia something to look forward to. I firmly believe that this is what the Malaysia Business Events Awards is looking to achieve – which is the consistency and progressive elevation of the industry that is extremely important towards their economic contribution to the nation. We should look at Visit Malaysia Year 2020 and have these events be part of the support towards achieving the targeted 30 million international visitors and RM100 million in revenue.
“Business events – in collaboration with the Government and private sector, can undoubtedly transform Malaysia by enabling the generation of wealth through acquiring of knowledge, applicable skills, economic benefits, and social advantages while creating a whole new audience for showcasing local products and services.” PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Deputy Minister also stated that iconic events are ideal to mark Malaysia’s spot on the regional and global events’ map and its effects will certainly spill over to other industries under the Government’s National Key Economic Areas (NKEA).
The list of MBEA2019 Winners and Industry Recognition Recipients
1. Innovative Booth Design Excellence Award (36sqm & below)
Penang State Government @ IGEM2018 – by PICO International (M) Sdn Bhd
2. Innovative Booth Design Excellence Award (37sqm-72sqm)
WOONGJIN Coway Malaysia @ HOMEDEC 2019 – by Just Unique Consultation Sdn Bhd
3. Innovative Booth Design Excellence Award (73sqm & above)
NISSAN @ KLIMS 2018 – by PICO International (M) Sdn Bhd
4. Innovative Pavilion Design Excellence Award
SEMI Southeast Asia Pte Ltd @ Semicon SEA 2019 – by PICO International (M) Sdn Bhd
5. Unique Venue Excellence Award
Main Garden Tomboriudon Hall @ KOKOL Haven Resort
6. Hotel with Meeting Facilities Excellence Award
Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
7. Most Interesting Event Excellence Award (1,000 pax & below)
Honda Asian Journey 2018 – by The Hot Shoe Show & Co. Sdn Bhd
8. Most Interesting Event Excellence Award (1,001 pax & above)
Expo Negaraku 2017 – by PICO International (M) Sdn Bhd
9. Best Organised Incentive Program that Promoted Malaysia (Inbound)
LivaNova KL Photo Hunt – by Pacific World Destination East Sdn Bhd
10. Best Services/Product Provider Excellence Award
MOSES 2019 – by DOREMi Services & Rental Sdn Bhd
11. Digital Integration Excellence Award
Penang Signature Gold Fair 2018 – by Elite Expo Sdn Bhd
12. Purpose Built Convention & Exhibition Centre Excellence Award (15,000sqm & below)
Setia City Convention Centre
14. Purpose Built Convention & Exhibition Centre Excellence Award (15,001sqm & above)
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
15. Congress/Convention Excellence Award (500 delegates & below)
APOA Sports Meeting 2019 incorporating Orthopaedic Research – by Medical Conference Partners
16. Congress/Convention Excellence Award (within 501-1,000 delegates)
World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Symposia 2018 – by Medical Conference Partners
17. Trade Exhibition Excellence Award (Gross space 15,000sqm & below)
ASEAN Super 8 – by Informa Markets – UBM Malaysia
18. Trade Exhibition Excellence Award (Gross space 15,001sqm & above)
ARCHIDEX – by C.I.S Network Sdn Bhd
19. Consumer Exhibition Excellence Award (Gross space 10,000sqm & below)
17th Deepavali Carnival 2018 – by ASC Agenda Suria Communication Sdn Bhd
20. Consumer Exhibition Excellence Award (Gross space 10,001sqm & above)
HOMEDEC – by C.I.S Network Sdn Bhd
21. New Home-Grown Exhibition Excellence Award
Metal Technology Expo – by MTE Exhibition Sdn Bhd
22. BE Education Excellence
School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events (SHTE), Taylor’s University
23. Special Recognition – Smart Partnership
Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC)
24. BE Personality
Datuk Zulkefli Hj Sharif, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) CEO
Malaysia Iconic Events
1. PAM’s Annual International Architectural Design Conference (DATUM:KL)
2. Food & Hotel Malaysia (FHM)
3. International Architecture, Interior Design & Building Exhibition (ARCHIDEX)
4. Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS)
5. Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF)
6. Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF)
MACEOS is the only trade association in Malaysia representing the BE Industry which supports various business establishments including professional exhibition and conference organisers, venue providers, destination management and event management companies, stand contractors, AV, logistics, airlines, travel & tours, and more.
For more information, you may be in touch with MACEOS representative as below:
Ms. G’ny Chin – Senior Manager (Email: gyn@maceos.com.my)