Fuelled by a fresh campaign and major venue upgrades, Kuala Lumpur’s business events sector anticipates 2026 will be its strongest post-lockdown year
Kuala Lumpur’s business events industry has entered 2026 with strong momentum, fuelled by the nationwide visibility of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Convention centre heads interviewed believe the year is shaping up to be the strongest post-lockdown, supported by government-backed marketing efforts, and continued investment in business events infrastructure.
World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur’s (WTCKL) group managing director, Irmohizam Ibrahim, shared that confirmed bookings for 1H2026 have surpassed bookings in 1H2025.
“We can see a global resurgence in business events, and the high visibility created by Visit Malaysia Year 2026, coupled with Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, will keep Kuala Lumpur at the forefront of regional and international attention,” he said.
Major events secured for WTCKL include Malaysia International Furniture Fair in March, Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair in late May/early June, and Malaysia – China Trade Expo in September. Altogether, these events are expected to draw close to two million delegates and visitors to WTCKL.
WTCKL is also leveraging the Visit Malaysia campaign as a catalyst to attract more international and regional business events.
Irmohizam shared: “We’re working closely with Tourism Malaysia, state tourism bureaus, and local inbound operators to create more value for organisers who choose Kuala Lumpur.”
“When an event is hosted at WTCKL, we don’t stop at providing a venue. We also help connect organisers with tourism partners in other states so they can build enriching pre- and post-event itineraries. This allows delegates to discover Malaysia’s islands, national parks, and cultural attractions beyond the capital, while ensuring that business events generate wider benefits for local communities nationwide,” he added.
Furthermore, WTCKL is undertaking major facility upgrades that are anticipated to be completed by 1H2026. Its conference halls and ballrooms are being upgraded into hybrid-ready spaces, complete with advanced audiovisual systems and LED displays. The venue will also feature high-speed 5G connectivity to support real-time streaming and virtual conferencing.
“These upgrades will ensure that WTCKL remains technologically advanced and capable of hosting hybrid and international events at the highest standards,” Irmohizam said.
Across the city, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) also reported a similarly upbeat outlook, with more than 100 confirmed events representing a balanced mix of international conventions, trade exhibitions, and corporate meetings.
KLCC’s general manager, John Burke shared: “The number of secured events reflects strong market confidence and the growing demand for the KLCC precinct as a leading destination for meetings and events.”
The Centre will continue its enhancement programme this year, focusing on upgrades to its conference halls, ballrooms, and Plenary Hall, including VIP suites. The improvements build on earlier refurbishments that introduced flexible meeting spaces and hybrid-ready AV systems.
“These upgrades have significantly improved the overall event experience, offering organisers greater sophistication and flexibility,” Burke said.
Meanwhile, the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) is another venue that has aligned its international positioning with Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
MITEC’s CEO, Mala Dorasamy, said: “We aim to showcase Malaysia as a leading global hub for business events by attracting a diverse portfolio of large-scale international conventions and exhibitions, while strengthening partnerships with global associations and destination stakeholders.”
Mala shared that 1Q2026 is projected to outperform 1Q2025, driven by a combination of new international bookings, larger delegate numbers, and a diversified portfolio of events.
Upcoming events at MITEC includes USANA Live 2026 Regional Convention from January 29 to 31; Defence Services Asia and National Security Asia 2026 from April 20 to 23; and International Architecture, Interior Design & Building Exhibition Malaysia 2026 from July 29 to August 1. These three events combined will attract more than 100,000 delegates and visitors.
Infrastructure enhancements at MITEC this year include the expansion of its Level 1 exhibition hall, creation of additional breakout spaces, digitalisation upgrades, new F&B outlets, and the installation of solar panels to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint.
Mala added that new developments around the KL Metropolis precinct – such as the newly-opened Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown – will “transform MITEC into more than just a venue, but a vibrant, self-contained destination where delegates can combine work, networking, and leisure.”
