Back in the good old days, large-scale factory and corporate annual dinners in Penang were often hosted not only in glamorous ballrooms, but in the unlikeliest of places — hotel car parks.
In the 1990s, one of the most popular venues for these grand affairs was the car park of Hotel Equatorial Penang.
The covered section near the Grand Ballroom would be transformed into a vibrant event space, complete with custom-built staging, buffet setups, and large entertainment installations.
This creative use of space was largely driven by necessity. When guest lists for multinational corporations (MNCs) and major local firms exceeded the capacity of the hotel’s indoor ballroom, the adjacent car park became the go-to solution.
Despite being unconventional, it worked — and it became a memorable part of Penang’s corporate event culture.
One name often associated with these legendary nights is local emcee Gilbert Khoo — a well-known host who not only hosted many of these dinners but also managed the sound, lighting and even booked local performers to keep the crowds entertained.
“Some of the corporate firms wanted to house all of their staff members at one go, so the hotel had to fix up the car park to accommodate all of them,” he said.
Fast forward to today, Penang’s event scene has evolved dramatically. Where car parks once sufficed, world-class, purpose-built venues now stand tall. Among them are the Setia SPICE Convention Centre – Bayan Baru
Located just a short drive from the Penang International Airport, the Setia SPICEConvention Centre is Penang’s premier venue for large conventions, exhibitions, banquets, and concerts.
Key Features: Pillarless ballroom accommodating up to 8,000 pax banquet-style or 10,000 pax theatre-style. Green building design – the world’s first hybrid solar-powered convention centre. Direct access to the SPICE Arena, Aquatic Centre, and SPICE Canopy, Multiple breakout rooms, VIP lounges, dedicated backstage facilities and their Integrated with Setia SPICE Resortand adjacent to Setia SPICE Park, offering a seamless event experience in a lush urban environment and finally, they also offer easy access to the Amari SPICE Penang too.
Next is the PICCA (Penang International Commercial City) – Butterworth Mainland. Opened more recently,PICCArepresents the new wave of integrated urban developments in Penang’s mainland. While still expanding, it already plays host to a growing number of corporate events, trade exhibitions, and business summits. Among its key highlights are their strategically located within Butterworth’s commercial hub, Part of a larger mixed-use development featuring office towers, retail spaces, hotels, and residential components, Modern convention and event facilities targeting both local and international markets and Emerging as a convenient option for northern region events, especially for industries based on the mainland.
Coming soon will be the PWCC (Penang Waterfront Convention Centre) – George Town. Slated to open in the near future, the PWVC will set a new benchmark for event venues in northern Malaysia.
What to Expect:- A massive, state-of-the-art convention space with a total built-up area exceeding 270,000square feet, Directly linked to the Light City development, comprising luxury residences, hotels and retail outlets, Positioned along the picturesque waterfront, offering stunning sea views, Expected to become a landmark destination for international conventions, exhibitions, and high-profile summits
From makeshift stages in hotel car parks to eco-friendly, futuristic venues that rival international convention centres — Penang’s transformation in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) space is nothing short of remarkable. What began as a practical solution has now grown into a full-fledged industry, supporting tourism, business growth, and global connectivity.