PCEB Launches Next Normal Guidelines for Business Events Penang

Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) launched the first edition of the Next Normal Guidelines for Business Events Penang at Setia SPICE Convention Centre this afternoon.

The Guidelines is a comprehensive document detailing the new standards of organising business events in the Next Normal, and in a world where the world is still threatened by COVID-19. It was produced by a task force of 29 industry partners to ensure every aspect of organising business events was covered.

Launching the Guidelines were The Right Honourable Chow Kon Yeow (Chief Minister of Penang), The Honourable Yeoh Soon Hin (Penang State Executive Councillor of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Heritage and Chairman of PCEB) and Mr Ashwin Gunasekeran (Chief Executive Officer of PCEB).

This launch was the first event held at Setia SPICE Convention Centre since MCO was enforced, and sets the benchmark for how business events should be held in the Next Normal.

The entire event was organised from pre-planning to tear down in accordance to the Guidelines. A total of 140 guests consisting of industry players, government officials, clients and members of the media attended the launch and social distancing measures were implemented throughout the event.

The appointed Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) – ACE Conference & Exhibitions carried out contactless and paperless registrations for guests, while Setia SPICE set up the ballroom with a one-meter distance from each table and chair. As per the Guidelines, pre-packed food was prepared accordingly in biodegradable bento boxes and markings were placed in the foyer to remind guests of maintaining 1-metre distance.

Besides the main set up, Event Partner DQuest Ventures also set up a photobooth that had social distancing markings on the floor as clear indications for where guests were allowed to stand to take photos.

After the launch, there was also an immersive simulation by Transportation Partner Capital One Leisure for guests to experience the process of alighting delegate coaches and social distancing within official vehicles during the Next Normal.

PCEB also unveiled new souvenirs for Business Events Penang, mainly Penang Turtle Cares signature batik turtles with a twist. The turtles now wear ‘N95 respiratory masks’ as a safety measure. PCEB also distributed customized batik masks for delegates that come in their own batik sleeves with N95 filters.

The Guidelines is available for download at www.pceb.my/nextnormalkit

The Next Normal Guidelines for Business Events Penang Launch was supported by the following partners: