The inaugural AFECA Convention 2024, which took place from November 4-6 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, brought together close to 300 industry leaders from 13 countries and regions.
Organised by AFECA (Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations) and co-organised by MACEOS (Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers), the convention featured the Annual General Meeting, A20 Business Events Forum, and the AFECA Asia MICE Youth Challenge.
Discussions, built on last year’s inaugural A20 Business Events Forum in Bangkok, where the Bangkok Declaration was introduced, focused on key issues such as regional ease of doing business, business events updates and guides, and regional manpower, skills, and sustainability.
The A20 Business Events Forum also underscored the vital role of business events in driving economic growth. It called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders – including government entities, convention bureaus, associations, private sectors and event organisers to support the industry effectively.
Meanwhile, the 9th AFECA Asia Youth MICE Challenge featured 21 teams from nine countries and regions. The competition tasked students with developing and pitching innovative business event concepts, allowing them to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world business challenges.
Sunway University, Malaysia, took home the top spot, followed by Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education College Central, and Hong Kong’s Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong.
The next AFECA Convention will be held in Indonesia in 2025.
