The Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) proudly announces the 9th edition of BE @ Penang, themed “BE at Penang: BE THE WAVE.”
Taking place from December 11th to 12th, 2025 at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre, this year’s conference invites industry leaders, innovators and changemakers to come together and create the next wave of progress in Malaysia’s business events and creative economy.
On hand to announce the home-grown event was Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Wong Hon Wai, alongside Ashwin Gunasekeran, CEO of the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB).
“Over the years, BE @ Penang has grown into one of Malaysia’s leading platforms for the business events and creative economy sectors — a space where people come together to learn, share and inspire one another. It has become more than just a conference; it is a movement that drives ideas, collaboration, and progress for Penang and beyond.
“What makes BE @ Penang truly special is its ability to bring together a wide spectrum of participants — from government agencies and industry leaders to entrepreneurs, academics, and young professionals. It is through this diversity that meaningful discussions and innovative solutions emerge, ensuring that Penang continues to stay ahead in this competitive and ever-evolving industry,” added Wong.
“BE @ Penang has evolved into more than just a conference — it’s a movement,” said YB Wong. “It brings together a wide spectrum of voices — from government agencies and global corporations to startups, students, and creatives. This diversity of thought and experience fuels innovation and cements Penang’s position as a driving force in the regional business events ecosystem.” he added.
Wong emphasized that BE @ Penang 2025 is not only a culmination of a successful year, but a launchpad for future growth and cross-sector collaboration heading into 2026 and beyond.
Ashwin echoed the sentiment, stating: “This year’s theme, BE THE WAVE, reflects our belief that Penang isn’t just keeping up with industry trends — we’re shaping them. BE @ Penang continues to inspire ideas, forge partnerships, and chart new territory in the business events and creative economy landscape.”
One of the most anticipated highlights of BE @ Penang 2025 is the keynote address by Hiroshi Tamura, renowned as the “Father of the Nissan GT-R and Nissan Z.” Tamura’s keynote will delve into visionary leadership, risk-taking, and the power of passion to reshape entire industries — a story that resonates deeply with the conference’s ethos.
“Having a global thought leader like Tamura-san join us in Penang demonstrates the growing international relevance of BE @ Penang. His journey from engineer to icon is exactly the kind of inspiration our delegates need as we prepare to tackle future challenges with bold thinking,” said Ashwin.
As part of its commitment to nurturing future talent, BE @ Penang 2025 will include dedicated tracks for students and young professionals, offering direct access to industry veterans, hands-on learning, and real networking opportunities.
The conference will be preceded by a creative team-building experience, “WAVE MAKERS: A Penang Discovery Adventure,” on 10–11 December. Through photo challenges, clue hunts, and local discovery missions, participants will build camaraderie ahead of the main event in a fun, experiential format.
Also present at the press conference were Ms Dee Dee Quah, Director of Conference Partners Asia, Ms Andrea Cheah, Director of Olive Tree Hotel Penang, and Ms Putri Khairul Nisha, Senior Sales Manager of Amari SPICE Penang, among other key partners.
Registration for BE @ Penang 2025 is officially open. Industry professionals, educators, and aspiring leaders are encouraged to secure their seats early for what promises to be Penang’s most impactful business events conference to date.