Themed ‘Reshaping Business Events’, the 7th Meet in Malaysia @ Malaysia Business Events Week 2022 (MIM @ MBEW 2022) was successfully held at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) from 29th August to 1st September 2022. The MIM @ MBEW 2022 welcomed more than 700 delegates, 66 BE-XChange, 30 top speakers from 15 countries and 11 international organisations, through a series of workshops on sustainability and business events strategy, a B2B exhibition named BE-XChange, and various CSR activities that engages all levels and segments of the industry.
Let’s have a glimpse on the 4-day programmes of MIM @ MBEW 2022 in strengthening the power of business events to advance in digitalisation and sustainability, recharging the great minds of industry players through knowledge exchange and building relationships to elevate professionalism with resilience.
Day 1: Conference
NASOM Maestro Choir
The MIM @ MBEW 2022 was kicked start with an amazing choir performances by Malaysia’s first autistic choir under the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), which is a society formed by a group of parents and professionals with the aim to deliver lifespan services to the community of persons suffering from autism.
The impressive performances proved that autistic people can have a quality life with the proper support and guidance from the loved ones. Indeed, music intervention is something that gives them a focus and helps to build confidence and self esteem to support their social skills and improve their quality of life. Through MBEW 2022, a big shout-out was given on the endless effort of the parents and teachers in supporting children with autism and learning disabilities.
Interative Conference Programme
Themed ‘Reshaping Business Events’, the MBEW 2022 offered insightful conference topics that focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion, sustainability and UNSDG, business events talent pool, events technology – metaverse and more. Moreover, the international speakers are representatives from key international business events associations such as International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and Union of International Associations (UIA).
“‘Reshaping business events’ is what we do today, planting seeds for the future and building legacy for the industry. We are delighted to learn from the top leaders from Malaysia and around the world, especially the presence of key international associations such as UFI, IAEE, PCMA, AFECA and ICCA. The most impactful sustainable business events advance the cause with creative ways, going beyond the traditional to integrate new opportunities designed to engage attendees, benefit and “give back” to host communities. Ultimately, being involved will help improve the products and experiences we promote to the market,” said Dato’ Sri Abdul Khani Daud, CEO of MyCEB.
The key agenda of MBEW 2022 was the Signing of Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between Malaysia and Indonesia Industry stakeholders, marking the strategic collaboration between both countries in boosting the business events market within the region.
“This strategic collaboration based on common goals and assets but also celebrate differentiators will lead to new opportunities for more business events, leading to more Indonesian business events delegates to Malaysia and vice versa. Malaysia and Indonesia already have a close tourism relationship as Top 5 source markets for the other. This MOC will help increase more business events delegates for both nations,” said YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).
Video Recap on Day 1:
Day 2: BE XChange 2.0 & Exhibition Roundtable
B2B Exhibition: BE XChange 2.0
The BE XChange 2.0 is a business-to-business (B2B) platform for meeting planners to explore attractive business events offers and connect to new business opportunities with the representatives from the Malaysian exhibitors that consisting meeting venues providers, service providers and destinations bureaus. The programme also showcases the future trends and product innovations in the BE Industry.
Exhibition Roundtable
It was a productive session where the business events (BE) community come together to discuss the current issues and new trends in the exhibition world, contributing insightful outcome to develop new business models in order for BE industry to remain relevant and continue to make a significant impact on Malaysia and the region. Through the networking and discussions, delegates gathered deep insights on reshaping exhibition landscape and exploring new possibilities in the BE industry.
(i) Panelist Session : Post Pandemic Outlook
Moderator: Alun Jones
Panellists:
– Richard Ireland -President, SACEOS;
– Dato’ Vincent Lim-President (AFECA),
– Dato’ Sri Dr. Irmohizam Ibrahim-Protem Chairman (BECM)
(ii) Roundtable Discussion – Challenges Facing the Industry
Moderator: Angeline Van Den Broecke – Founder and Managing Director (Altis Business Solutions)
Video Recap on Day 2:
Day 3: Buyers Technical Visit – Sabah & Kuala Lumpur
Sabah Tourism Board hosted the FAM trip with the buyers to showcase all that Sabah has to offer from event venues, hotels, restaurants, islands to cultural activities that best suit their future business event. The Sabah industry partners including Amazing Borneo, The Mangellan Sutera Resort, Shangri La Tanjung Aru Resort, North Borneo Cruise, Hilton Kota Kinabalu and Sabah International Convention Centre successfully delivered a memorable FAM trip to the buyers.
Day 4: Sustainability Workshop & ICCA Business Strategy Roundtable
The workshops and roundtable programmes offer amazing sessions for delegates, which full of fun and frolic, perspectives, knowledge sharing and networking.
Sustainability Workshop @ Rumah Tangsi KL
Step Up, Scale Up, Speed Up: Transforming Tomorrow from Climate Emergency to Shared Property
Beyond delivering economic benefits, sustainability is vital for long-term survival and important for business events community to raise awareness and create a sustainable environment with fresh innovative ideas. Guy Bigwood shares insights on sustainability and the future of events, offering an inspiring and motivating session with great engagement from the participants. It’s time to redesign the business strategies to not only become more sustainable, but to generate our natural environments and communities.
Now, we are ready for a sustainable future, one which is more resilient – the legacy that we can be proud of for future generations to come. All of us from the nation, organisations and individual have to work together on sustainability and be Changemakers!
SDG Deep Dive Workshop @ Rumah Tangsi KL
What is Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and how it concerns Business Events industry?
“That’s core for ensuring that whatever events we do have a long-lasting impact, not only to the city but also to the community and the environment. That’s more important than just having an impact on the economy,” said TPr. Ts. Norliza Hashim, CEO of Urbanice Malaysia.
Sustainable development begins with education that allows every human being to acquire the knowledge, skills, and values to shape a sustainable future. Hence, implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is vital for any nation to move forward in the years to come during the economic recovery. This is where business events professionals play an important role in implementing SDGs, no matter how small their starting point is.
Video Recap on Day 4:
CSR and Sustainability Initiatives
‘Lend a Hand’ CSR Initiative
In conjunction with the MIM @ MBEW 2022, MyCEB and BE industry partners come together for the ‘Lend a Hand’ CSR initiative that carried out at Zoo Negara Malaysia on 25 August 2022, contributing the well-being of the zoo with a variety of activities such as painting and refurbishing the facilities. Under the glow project, we lend a hand to repaint the facilities and welcomed 60 children from Rahoma Darul Fakir with fun activities exploring and learning about wildlife and biodiversity.
Besides creating awareness on the vital role of zoos as a source of education and learning about wildlife and biodiversity, the CSR initiative incorporates a deeper meaning that transcends into social impact and legacies back into business events. It is also the way of initiating a small act of contribution with the aim of leaving behind a larger and everlasting impact of a better tomorrow.
Sustainability Initiatives
MyCEB also partnered with Kloth Cares and Food Aid Foundation from 27th to 30th August 2022 on the ongoing commitment to spark positive change in the communities through the sustainability initiatives, which includes minimising food waste, avoiding single-use plastics, and support the underprivileged by donating pre-loved clothing and non-perishable food. Small actions can make a big difference in BE community and the environment!
As a whole, The MIM @ MBEW 2022 brings together strong momentum in developing the country’s business event and tourism sector through knowledge sharing, establishing new connections and discovering business opportunities with industry experts, and sustainability for growth. In conclusion, the heart of building resilient business events landscape is through the power of domestic and international collaboration as the key strategic direction for future business events industry.
~ Let’s BE Greater, Together. Meet in Malaysia! ~
Stay tuned for MBEW 2023 that is scheduled to be held from
21st to 25th August 2023.
For more information, please visit www.myceb.com.my.
