Moderated by Professor Dr. Nazirah Hasnan, Professor and Senior Consultant Rehabilitation Physician of the Malaysian Association of Rehabilitation Physicians, the session brought together association leaders who shared how resilience, strategic collaboration and purposeful leadership helped deliver impactful international conferences amid global challenges.
Strong Associations Are Built on Clarity and Integrity
Key Takeaways from the Panel Session
Dato’ Dr. Faraizah Dato’ Abd Karim, President of Malaysian Blood Transfusion Society
Purpose-Driven Conferences Create Long-Term Impact
- Conferences should go beyond knowledge sharing and address real societal needs.
- The Society’s focus was to strengthen confidence in blood safety and transfusion practices.
- Despite delays caused by COVID-19 and ongoing global uncertainties, the commitment to organise a physical conference remained strong.
- International conferences help:
- Elevate local expertise to global standards
- Build multidisciplinary collaboration
- Create networking and leadership opportunities for young professionals
- Showcase Malaysia’s capabilities in healthcare and medical science
Key Lesson
Purpose must remain clear even during uncertainty
Datuk ChM Dr. Soon Ting Kueh, President of Malaysian Institute of Chemistry (IKM)
Winning Global Conferences Requires Strategy, Networking and Positioning
- Securing IUPAC 2025 was the result of years of planning, international networking, and relationship building.
- Malaysia competed against strong destinations and succeeded through credibility, preparation, and strategic engagement.
- Success was not only measured by participant numbers, but also by:
- Global recognition
- Scientific excellence
- Financial sustainability
- Strong participant experience
- Enhanced reputation for Malaysia and IKM
Key Lesson
You must know your audience, build relationships early and confidently promote both your conference and your country.
Professor Dr. Abdul Rahman Omar, President World Veterinary Poultry Association Malaysia
Collaboration is the Foundation of Successful Conferences
- Organising international congresses requires strong collaboration between:
- Academia
- Industry
- Government agencies
- International partners
- Visiting previous congresses and maintaining international visibility helped strengthen stakeholder trust and participation.
- The conference also generated wider impact through:
- Business opportunities
- Scientific collaboration
- Policy discussions
- Industry advancement
- Organising international congresses requires strong collaboration between:
Key Lesson
Strong partnerships and stakeholder alignment are critical to delivering impactful conferences
Shared Panel Insights
Common Themes Across All Speakers
- Leadership and resilience are essential in navigating uncertainty.
- Conferences require long-term planning and adaptability.
- Strong PCOs and ecosystem partners play an important supporting role.
- Participant experience matters, from scientific content to hospitality and cultural engagement.
- International conferences can strengthen:
- Industry development
- Professional credibility
- Global connectivity
- National positioning
Final Takeaway
Successful conferences are not built overnight. They are shaped through:
- Purposeful leadership
- Strategic collaboration
- Strong stakeholder engagement
- Courageous decision-making
- Consistent relationship building
Ultimately, impactful conferences are those that leave a legacy for industries, professions, communities and future leaders.