In elevating Penang as a leading MICE venue, IJM Perennial Development and Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to take it to the next level.
Present at the ceremony was Penang Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow, Mayor of Goyang Special City, South Korea, Lee Dong-Hwan, State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai, Datuk Tony Ling Thou Lung, Chief Executive Officer of IJM Land & Director of IJM Perennial Development Sdn. Bhd, Ms. Dawn Tan, Chief Operating Officer, Singapore & Regional (excluding China) of Perennial Holdings Private Limited & Director of IJM Perennial Development Sdn Bhd, Mr. Lee Jae Yul, Chief Executive Officer of Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX), Dominic Oh, Chief Executive Officer of KinMalaysia Management Sdn. Bhd, Ashwin Gunasekeran Chief Executive Officer of Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) among others.
In his address, Chow shared that Goyang has made a name for itself as a global powerhouse in the MICE industry, and it’s no exaggeration to say that when it comes to business events, Goyang really means business.
“Your presence today is a sign of the growing friendship between our cities and a nod to how South Korea and Penang can build bridges, not just culturally, but economically and strategically as well. Let me begin by giving a big shout-out to the organizers
for pulling today’s event together. As anyone in the events industry knows, it takes more than a good venue and catering to make things happen. It takes vision, collaboration, and the occasional strong coffee!
“These new partnerships between IJM Perennial and KINTEX, and PCEB and KINTEX, are an exciting leap forward. With this, we are not just signing documents; we are signing up for bigger conventions, smarter collaborations, and more international exposure for Penang,” said Chow.
He also added that 2024 has been an absolutely thrilling year for Penang’s business events scene. We’ve hosted some of the most dynamic conferences in the region, some with record-breaking attendance. It seems people can’t resist Penang’s charm, whether it’s the nasi kandar, the cultural heritage, or the state-of-the-art convention facilities.
“Last year alone, Penang hosted over 2,000 business events, brought in more than 300,000 delegates, and generated an estimated RM1.29 billion in economic impact. And if you’ve been to the Penang airport lately, you will notice it’s getting pretty busy; with 12 new international direct flights, Penang International Airport is now officially Malaysia’s second-busiest airport.
“None of this would be possible without our incredible partners and stakeholders in the industry. So, a round of applause for all of you. You’ve truly helped put Penang on the global MICE map, and not just with a pushpin, but with a spotlight”, he said.
The Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC) has already lined up major events lined up in October .
The VIP guests later signed the MOU and posed for the camera.