The Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) is in discussions with the government to make it compulsory for new organisations to be members of MACEOS before they can be licensed to operate.
MACEOS CEO, Amos Wong, said: “This is to ensure that the companies are of good character and it will be a means to regulate the Business Events industry.”
Wong: MACEOS as gatekeeper
This could also serve as a means to grow membership. MACEOS currently has over 100 members, a majority of which are from the exhibitions sector.
“Growing our membership is one of our main focus as this will enable us to have a bigger voice in the business events industry in Malaysia. This is a continuous effort. Our subcommittee has expanded its wings in the northern region and Sarawak and soon we will expand further to the southern region and Sabah,” MACEOS president, Vincent Lim, said.
Meanwhile, MACEOS is also focusing on grooming the labour force, having recently rolled out its first Professional Exhibition Management and Professional Conference Management course in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching. Similar training programmes will soon be organised in Penang and Sabah.
Ong Hong Peng, secretary-general of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, said: “MACEOS’ keen focus on training and education is in line with the government’s Vision 2020 to enhance the capacity and capability of the industry to remain competitive. This way, we will be able to take on our regional competitors and boost the growth of the convention and exhibition industry in Malaysia.”
