By V. Sivaji
Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Wong Hon Wai, commended the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) for its pivotal role in positioning Penang as a leading destination for business events by actively attracting conventions, meetings and international events to the state.
He noted that PCEB’s efforts are even more crucial as Penang competes with established regional business events hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Mumbai and other international destinations.
“The state government had the foresight to establish PCEB in 2016. As PCEB marks its 10th anniversary, its success has become a benchmark for others. More importantly, several states have since followed Penang’s lead by setting up specialised agencies similar to PCEB,” said Wong.
He was speaking at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between PCEB and six institutions of higher learning, an initiative aimed at investing in the future of Penang’s tourism industry through talent development. The ceremony was held at the Olive Tree Hotel in Bayan Lepas.
The six institutions of higher learning are SENTRAL College Penang, DISTED College, INTI International College Penang, SEGi College Penang, UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College and
Taylor’s University.
“When we talk about tourism, we often focus on visitor arrivals, iconic attractions and international events. These are important, but they are only part of the story.
Behind every successful destination are capable people.
“Whether it is welcoming delegates at an international convention, organising a world-class exhibition, or delivering exceptional visitor experiences, it is people who define the quality and reputation of a
destination.
“Business Events have become one of the highest-value segments of tourism. They attract quality visitors, generate economic opportunities across multiple sectors, and strengthen Penang’s international profile. Every conference, exhibition and corporate meeting creates a ripple effect that benefits our hotels, restaurants, transport providers, creative industries, event organisers and local businesses.
“As the industry continues to grow, so too must our investment in talent” stressed Wong.
He added that this is why the MoU partnership signed is both timely and strategic. By bringing together government, industry and academia, we are creating a stronger talent ecosystem—one that equips students with real industry exposure, practical experience and the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive global environment.
“This is not simply about preparing graduates for employment. It is about preparing future leaders who will shape the next chapter of Penang’s Business Events industry,” added Wong in the six institutions involved.
Meanwhile Ashwin extended his sincere appreciation to all the university and college partners for taking the time to be present at the signing ceremony.
“.We strongly believe that the growth of the Business Events industry cannot be measured only by the number of conferences we host, the delegates we welcome, or the economic impact we
generate. The strength of our industry also depends on the people who will eventually lead, manage and shape it.
“Through the BE Associate programme, we want students to have greater access to the industry while they are still pursuing their studies. We want them to attend conferences, participate in
forums and workshops, explore internship opportunities, join knowledge-sharing sessions, and most importantly, meet and learn from the people who are already working within the industry,” added Ashwin.
Following the MoU signing ceremony guests exchanged momentos and posed for a group picture too.
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