The Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) was awarded the “Best Brands in Services – Convention & Exhibition” under the corporate-branding category during the recent Brand Laureate Awards 2013.
Held recently in the grand One World Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, the event was attended by various industry leaders from reputable companies with strong brand presence in the country, celebrities and members of the media.
The Ministry of Tourism Malaysia in 2009 established the national convention bureau as a catalyst to develop the Malaysian business events industry. Since then, MyCEB successfully has positioned Malaysia as the gateway to conventions and meetings in Asia and has assisted the country in securing major business events with record-breaking attendances, which substantially has impacted the nation’s economy. Recognizing the potential of the sector and given its high-yield visitor attraction, business tourism was included as one of the entry-point projects under Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Program (ETP) to turn reach developed nation status by the year 2020.
“I am honored to receive this award on behalf of the MyCEB team. We have worked consistently hard to steer the direction of Malaysia’s business events sector to achieve our mission as provided under the ETP,” said Ho Yoke Ping, general manager of sales and marketing, MyCEB. “It is a proud moment for us and the team to be recognized by our peers across the industries.”
Held annually by The Asia Pacific Brands Foundation, the Brand Laureate awards help to promote brands in Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region with the aim to identify and support outstanding Malaysia brands. MyCEB was selected based on a stringent process of evaluation, which includes brand performances, integrated brand communications, brand culture and brand positioning.
“In 2011, MyCEB unveiled its ambitious business events tagline: ‘Malaysia, Asia’s Business Events Hub,’” said Ho. “This was supported with various initiatives to strengthen MyCEB and Malaysia’s profile and credentials, both regionally and globally, such as our experiential concept of the Malaysian Spice Market and the launch of our corporate and incentive campaign, ‘Malaysia, Asia Like Never Before.’
“The Brand Laurete is a strong testimony of MyCEB’s strong performance and its branding efforts in promoting Malaysia as the preferred destination for the business events industry.”
Apart from assisting the business events industry in bidding processes, MyCEB also actively runs programs for local industry players to progressively respond to international business events standards. Together with its industry partners, MyCEB has managed to secure Malaysia as the host country for various world-class conventions, including the 127th International Olympic Committee Session in 2015, Women Deliver Conference 2013 and the International Dragon Award annual conference 2013.
Apart from business events, an important component of MyCEB is the International Events Unit, which focuses on identifying and supporting international event bids in the areas of sports, art and culture and lifestyle. In November 2011, MyCEB unveiled its business events tagline: “Malaysia – Asia’s Business Events Hub,” which encompasses its aim to position Malaysia’s as the gateway to Asia for meetings. Malaysia is a nation in which many of Asia’s diverse cultures, languages and lifestyles are represented and have merged through a long history of trade and meetings.
A non-profit organization, MyCEB serves as a central hub to assist meeting and event planners to bid for and stage international business events in Malaysia and act as a conduit for national product development. MyCEB’s goal is to improve its rankings as an international meetings destination within International Congress and Convention Association and to grow business tourism arrivals to Malaysia.
