The Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (the Center) recorded an increase in international delegates by more than 1,000 guests to 19,750 in 2011, compared with 18,725 in 2010.

“The steady increase in the number of delegates recorded over the last two years reinforces the Center’s reputation, not only as a venue of choice in Malaysia, but also internationally,” said  Datuk Peter Brokenshire, general manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Center. “However, the continuing growth in head count signals the need for larger space. To meet this demand, the Center has acquired 2,600 square meters of additional space through a semi-permanent marquee adjacent to the Center known as Hall 6. This will enable us to accommodate larger exhibitions, conferences, concerts and other events.”

Brokenshire also applauded Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau’s (MyCEB)’s efforts to make the country a premier business tourism destination, and said that Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur are starting to see the benefits of a fully functioning bureau and subvention fund.

According to the recently released International Convention and Conference Association’s (ICCA) Country and City Rankings Report 2011, Malaysia recorded her highest number of meetings to date with 126 association meetings. Of this, Kuala Lumpur took the lion’s share with 78 meetings.

Malaysia also reaffirmed her credentials in the Asia Pacific and Middle East region with a seventh placing, unchanged from 2010, and a global ranking of 29th place.

From their opening in June 2005 through April 2012, the Center has hosted 5,673 events and more than 12.5 million delegates and visitors and in turn, has contributed approximately RM3.7 billion in economic impact to Kuala Lumpur city and Malaysia.