How will MyCEB help Malaysia’s business events offering?
The government wants to increase MICE numbers as a percentage of total visitor arrivals as well as to boost delegate numbers and their average spending in Malaysia. MyCEB is committed to promote and further strengthen Malaysia’s position in the global meetings industry in the long-term.

We now have 16 full-time staff that will expand to 24 by September. There is staff dedicated to developing Malaysia’s incentive product offering, supporting convention bids as well as liaising with government departments and building their awareness of the MICE industry.

We want planners to feel assured that when they bring groups to Malaysia they will be taken care of from the moment of arrival, have a beneficial and enjoyable experience during their event and, if there are pre- or post-event tours, that it will be part of a well-coordinated programme.

What have been some of MyCEB’s key achievements to date?
In 2009, Malaysia welcomed 1.18 million overseas business events visitors, contributing an estimated US$3.1 billion in visitor spending to the local economy.

MyCEB also supported 15 convention bids representing 16,150 delegates and assisted 130 meetings, conventions and exhibitions, and 40 incentive groups.

The latest International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) rankings reflect a growth in Malaysia’s associations meetings business amid challenging economic conditions last year. Kuala Lumpur leaped five spots to 22nd position in the worldwide city rankings, placing it in the top five cities in Asia Pacific.

As a country, Malaysia moved up one place to 31st position. The improved city and country rankings are a result of stronger collaboration between MyCEB and its local industry partners in bid development and joint promotional efforts. The addition of new infrastructure in place, the upgrading and refurbishment exercises of hotels around the country, especially in Kuala Lumpur, have also helped us to grow the business for Malaysia.

What are your plans for the remainder of 2010?
We will be focusing on developing the convention bureau as well as strengthening our marketing efforts. Marketing tools, including a new advertising campaign and a new website, will be developed. In addition, we have a year-end target to launch the Industry Partner Programme, which will encourage greater collaboration between MyCEB and local industry players.

Much of our work is industry-led and we are keen for other cities in Malaysia to develop meeting venues and supporting infrastructure. We hope they will benchmark themselves against model convention facilities like the KLCC Convention Centre and Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.