MyCEB joins regional alliance to rejuvenate convention industry

The alliance hopes to run more conventions and joint conventions organised in the member countries 

by AZALEA AZUAR / pic by BERNAMA

THE Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and its regional counterparts from Thailand, Korea and Taiwan have collaborated to form Asia Convention Alliance (ACA) to spur the convention industries in Asia. 

MyCEB signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Thailand Convention Bureau (TCEB), in line with the ACA vision, together with Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), Seoul Tourism Organisation and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). 

The ACA was an idea from TCEB and TICA, aimed to promote the convention industries in Asia, strengthen relations and facilitate knowledge exchange between member countries through collaborative ventures. 

The alliance hopes to run more conventions and joint conventions organised in the member countries on a rotational basis to boost the market in the region. 

MyCEB CEO Datuk Seri Abdul Khani Daud said the initiative by TCEB is timely and they are delighted to be part of it. 

“The signing of MoU with the alliance marks a unique partnership between member destinations who are committed to strengthening its cooperation with the alliance. 

“MyCEB aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and rebuild the business events industry in the region and we strongly believe that together, alliance members will rebound from the pandemic and gain confidence from the international market as trusted destinations,” he said during the virtual signing ceremony, live from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. 

By becoming an ACA member, Malaysia would be part of the collective effort to co-develop business opportunities among the alliance members and striving for the status of a sustainable regional convention destination. 

TCEB president Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya said the idea to form an alliance with their Asian counterparts, which was first thought of in December last year, came about from the expectations that Asian convention markets would recover faster due to preceding readiness for short-haul travel and economic stimulus policies of the governments. 

“The alliance aims to help local professional conference organisers in each member country build confidence and become prepared to respond to fresh demands of the post-Covid-19 pandemic when businesses and organisations will utilise conventions in gathering advanced knowledge, latest technologies and new experiences to reignite professional and business growth,” he said. 

Meanwhile, TICA president Sumate Sudasna said it has become obvious that long haul travel would be deterred for some time, hence solutions are needed to maintain industry wellbeing and sustain community foreign normalcy returns. 

TAITRA CEO and president Leonor FM Lin said Asia is an ideal destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions events due to its major wonders, activities and cultural heritage.