As the country opens up domestic tourism and interstate travel, Penang continues to be the first state to push through with its first hybrid business events conference – BE @ Penang 2021.
The two-day event is being held at the Setia SPICE Convention Center (Dec 9 -10) where around 160 in-person participants attended while another 250 registered online for the virtual edition.
This happens to be the 6th edition co-organised by the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) and Anderes Fourdy Events – Malaysia’s leading professional congress organizer.
The event was live streamed online through the official conference platform.
Penang Chief Minister, Chow Kon Yeow and State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, Yeoh Soon Hin delivered their welcoming speech via a recorded feed.
Themed ‘BE Connected. BE Inspired’, BE @ Penang 2021 is a celebration of the industry members’ grit, adaptability and innovation.
The conference aims to provide a platform for industry practitioners to recharge as a united force and BE Inspired as we BE Connected.
This year, the conference directs itself to a fresh start for all delegates in getting back the momentum to attend and organize physical and hybrid conferences and events.
The conversations of the conference focussed on the domestic market for business events in light of global trends.
The discussions and conversations were driven by leaders from the four convention bureaus in Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines represented by Ms Lau Yin May (Group Chief Marketing & Customer Experience Officer) , Fajaffri Mohd Fadzil (Senior Director, Investment Division) Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), Dato Sri Abdul Khani Daud CEO of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) among others.
Among the main topics explored include “Business Events Malaysia 2022 & Beyond Outlook” with the head of MyCEB, PCEB, BESarawak and Sabah Tourism Board; “Business Opportunities in the New Normal”; “The Rise of Multi-Hub & Hybrid Events”; “Monetizing Virtual & Hybrid Events”; and “Maximizing Social & Legacy Impact of Business Events”.
Switching up the Keynote is highlight speaker Boonsiri Somchit – author of “When the Chicken Dies, Everyone Cries: Authentic Leadership & Life Lessons from the Heart of the Kampung”,
Meanwhile the closing keynote was presented by John D. Chacko, the President of the International Advertising Association (IAA) Malaysia, Global VP IAA Education, IAA World Board Member, as well as the Chairman of the upcoming 46th IAA World Congress that will be held in Penang in 2023 tomorrow (Dec10).
The physical component of BE @ Penang 2021 will had exclusive by-invitation only activities for the delegates who will be attending the conference in person in Penang.
Delegates were also taken on a “Discover Penang Fam Tour”.
As part of the closing ceremony, PCEB will be launching its new global marketing campaign – ‘BElong in Penang’ at the finale dinner.
This campaign is part of PCEB’s work with the Penang State Government and industry partners to drive the rejuvenation of the tourism and business events industry.
Meanwhile, Ashwin Gunasekeran, CEO of PCEB is confident that BE @ Penang 2021 will end the year on a positive note with additional useful perspectives and ideas for our industry partners and other relevant industry players while we continue to keep up the rejuvenation momentum.
The pandemic has fast-forward the use of technology at a greater pace. We are also investing in 5G infrastructure to be in tandem with these developments,” added Ashwin.
Also seen were Mona Abdul Manap CEO placeborneo business events, Amelia Roziman CEO Business Events Sarawak and Noredah Othman.
