Earlier today, a MOU signing ceremony for the inaugural Marriott Charity Golf Challenge was held at the Penang Marriott Hotel between Marriott International Malaysia and Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB).
Present to witness the ceremony was Penang Chief Minister himself, YAB Chow Kon Yeow.
Signing on behalf of Marriott International was Dato Gulab Mahatam Rai, organising chairman of the golf challenge along with Ashwin Gunasekeran, CEO of PCEB. Also present was Volker Burth, General Manager, W Kuala Lumpur.
Other VIP guests present were YB Wong Yuee Harng, State Assemblyman for Pengkalan Kota and YB Lee Boon Heng, State Assemblyman for Kebun Bunga among others.
Chow in his opening address expressed his pleasure to witness the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding between the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau and Marriott International Malaysia.
“This partnership comes at the right time. Penang continues to position itself as a connected and competitive destination for business events and this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to keep that momentum going in a practical and results-driven way.
“I would like to commend both PCEB and Marriott International Malaysia for moving this forward. It is through such practical collaborations that we continue to build confidence in Penang as a place to meet, invest and grow.
“At the same time, we must be honest about the challenges ahead. With ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting global travel and business confidence, we cannot afford to be complacent. A “wait and see” approach will not work, especially in the business events sector, where decisions are made quickly and competition is strong. That said, it is encouraging to note that the business events sector has shown resilience,” added Chow.
In turn, Burth said that as a global hospitality brand, Marriott International is driven by a simple belief: experiences matter. Our role goes far beyond providing a place to stay. It is about creating moments that connect people, spark conversations, and leave lasting impressions.
“This partnership gives us the opportunity to showcase Penang as a world-class destination, rich in culture, full of character, and increasingly recognised as a vibrant hub for international business and leisure travellers.
“What makes this collaboration particularly meaningful is the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau’s commitment to long-term planning, underpinned by a clear and forward-looking vision. It is this approach that gives partners like us the confidence to invest, collaborate and grow together over time.
Meanwhile, Ashwin said that the signing marks an important step forward in how they continue to shape Penang’s business events landscape.
“It is not simply about formalising a collaboration, but about setting in motion a shared ambition — one that focuses on creating meaningful platforms for connection, engagement, and long-term value.
“The Penang Golf Challenge is envisioned as a platform where business naturally happens. It brings together decision-makers, industry leaders, and corporate stakeholders in an environment
that encourages genuine interaction. Away from the formality of traditional settings, it allows conversations to flow more openly, relationships to strengthen, and opportunities to emerge in a
more organic way,he shared.
VIP guests later witnessed the MOU signing and posed for the camera.