Asia/Singapore Wednesday, 1st July 2026

W Singapore – Sentosa Cove reimagines corporate ROI post-refurbishment

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View of W Singapore - Sentosa Cove's swimming pool and adjacent marina

W Singapore – Sentosa Cove has completed a property-wide refurbishment, introducing wellness and marine experiences aimed at corporate clients seeking alternatives to traditional meeting formats.

“One of the biggest shifts we’ve seen is that clients increasingly want more than just meeting space. Meetings remain important, but planners also look for ways to strengthen meaningful connections, support delegate well-being, and build experiences that people will remember after the event,” said Christian Metzner, general manager of W Singapore – Sentosa Cove.

View of W Singapore – Sentosa Cove’s swimming pool and adjacent marina; photo by Rachel AJ Lee

A key part of the strategy is the enhancement of the resort’s wellness facilities. Away Spa has been repositioned as a recovery-focused space, featuring steam rooms, vitality pools and ice baths designed for post-session recovery.

The hotel is also developing a recovery and bio-hacking facility in partnership with wellness brand Ai’re. The space will offer body composition analysis, infrared heat therapy combined with sound healing, a salt relaxation room, compression suits and percussion massage devices, supported by on-site recovery coaches.

“Our transformation also included upgrading our event spaces and audiovisual capabilities, refreshed guestrooms, dining concepts and introducing social events such as our new After Dark mini-festival series, creating an escape for business and leisure to exist seamlessly together,” Metzner added.

Earlier this year, W Singapore – Sentosa Cove launched the Afterglow Voyage, a marine experience operating from the adjacent marina. The product is designed as a single-source offering, with the hotel providing the catamaran, hospitality staff and food and beverage services.

Hosted aboard the Saint Vincent catamaran, the Afterglow Voyage can accommodate up to 45 guests. Private charters are available with a minimum duration of four hours, making them suitable for post-conference networking, client events and executive retreats.

Pricing starts from S$3,988 (US$3,074) for up to 12 guests, with dining and catering packages available from S$68++ per person. Planners can also opt for corporate branding configurations and dedicated live DJ sets.

The hotel said demand for the concept has been encouraging. Since the maritime experience launched in March 2026, the resort has hosted four corporate charters.

“We are seeing a stronger uptake of corporate groups keen to complement meetings and conferences with networking and incentive experiences that are more distinctive than traditional formats,” Metzner said.

Seek Sophie eyes MICE expansion with scalable, heritage-driven corporate experiences

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Singapore-based experiential booking platform Seek Sophie is setting its sights on the international corporate events market, utilising its strong local B2B footprint to capture rising demand for authentic, culturally immersive corporate itineraries.

Currently, inbound corporate groups are estimated to contribute between 10 to 20 per cent of Seek Sophie’s overall corporate business. However, the platform views the sector as a natural extension of its established corporate teambuilding arm, which already counts tech and entertainment giants such as Meta, Google, Disney, and ByteDance as clients.

Corporate teambuilding meets clown workshop

Speaking to TTGmice, Jacinta Lim, co-founder of Seek Sophie, noted that international corporate groups are increasingly moving away from traditional, sterile itineraries in favour of deeper local engagement.

“Singapore only feels boring if you experience it in the usual corporate way: convention centre, mall, hotel restaurant,” Lim said. “But the city is full of makers, storytellers, naturalists, and artisans who can show a very different side of the city. For teambuilding events, that is really powerful.”

To transition these niche, local experiences into a scalable format suitable for large-scale international business events groups, Seek Sophie is actively working with its network of hosts to adapt their operational models.

To achieve this scalability, the platform is implementing several growth strategies. This includes equipping hosts with format mobility to bring specialised workshops directly to a corporate group’s chosen venue or hotel ballroom, and providing end-to-end integration by bundling F&B options into experiential packages to streamline logistics for event planners. Additionally, Seek Sophie is focusing on gamification and scaling by injecting interactive, competitive elements into heritage and craft workshops, ensuring high engagement levels can be maintained even for larger delegate sizes.

Lim pointed to a recent outdoor puzzle hunt around Marina Bay as an example of this gamified approach. Chosen by a visiting corporate group whose overseas delegates specifically wanted to see Singapore’s iconic skyline, the interactive game allowed participants to actively explore the precinct and break through social barriers before heading into a multi-day conference.

And while iconic Asian experiences like dragon boating or walking tours led by ex-offenders in Chinatown remain popular for their high emotional payoff, there is a growing appetite for indoor cultural touchpoints, particularly among C-suite executives.

“We had a C-level team from a global travel company choose an indoor batik experience with a local artisan,” Lim shared, noting that even senior leaders who had lived in Singapore for years discovered something new.

“A good team experience should feel like travelling together, even if it is just for a few hours. When people discover something new side by side, they naturally connect in a different way.”

To further enrich its pipeline for visiting corporates, the platform is continually onboarding non-traditional suppliers, including urban farmers, private dining chefs, and ancient stone seal engravers.

Wellington WONCA conference delivers rural health legacies

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The conference theme showcased New Zealand’s innovative approaches to integrating Māori health models within its healthcare system

Brought to you by Tourism New Zealand Business Events

audience seated for the 21st World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) World Rural Health Conference
The conference brought together around 1,000 delegates at the Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wellington

Wellington welcomed nearly 1,000 delegates from 40 countries to the 21st World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) World Rural Health Conference.

Taking place at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, from April 10 to 13, 2026, the global event brought health professionals, researchers, indigenous leaders, and rural communities together to help shape the future of rural healthcare worldwide.

The conference was hosted by New Zealand’s national rural health advocacy organisation, Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network, with support from Business Events Wellington and Tourism New Zealand Business Events.

New Zealand was chosen thanks to its strong rural demographic, indigenous and community-led health initiatives, and demonstrated commitment to rural health equity. 

Hauora Taiwhenua chief executive Dr Grant Davidson said: “Too often policies are designed for urban systems and adapted later for rural communities. Hosting the conference in Wellington, the capital of Aotearoa New Zealand, provided an accessible opportunity for members of parliament to attend, present their policies, and hear directly from those affected by policy.”

Unlearning what you have learned

The conference theme, Whānau Ora: Integrating mātauranga Māori indigenous knowledge with rural health for a thriving future, provided a unique platform to focus on New Zealand’s innovative approaches to integrating Māori health models within its healthcare system.

The conference opened with an official pōwhiri welcome, and incorporated Ahi Kā, a hub reflecting the Māori concept of hauora, or holistic wellbeing, where delegates could engage with Māori art, weaving, massage, and tā moko (traditional tattoo).

A special workshop was held to further develop the WHO Global Plan of Action (GPA) on the Health of Indigenous Peoples. Conference speakers included Dr Diana Kopua and Mark Kopua, founders of Mahi a Atua, an approach to healing and mental health grounded in Māori indigenous knowledge. 

Dr Pratyush Kumar, Chair of the WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice (WWPRP), said: “New Zealand definitely brought fresh ideas, indigenous wisdom. I think the biggest learning from this conference would be to unlearn what you have learned and know new things, understand new realities.”

Value beyond the venue

Host city Wellington provided value being the convention centre, with delegates able to experience world-class biomedical research through site visits to the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research and the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute.

The proximity of Tākina Wellington Convention Centre and surrounding hotels in the city’s compact CBD allowed delegates to make the most of Wellington’s scenery through morning networking walks along the picturesque waterfront and up Mount Victoria.

Social activities included tours of movie effects experience Wētā Workshop, Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne ecosanctuary, the Wairarapa wine region, and a harbour cruise.

Immediate past chair of the WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice, Dr Bruce Chater, said: “Wellington’s a great city. It’s walkable. It has wonderful facilities, wonderful restaurants. It’s also just got a lovely feel to it, you feel safe, you feel welcomed.”

Achieving action for rural health

Beyond the learning, the conference resulted in action for both the local and global rural health sectors.

The Aotearoa New Zealand Declaration on Rural Health 2026 was launched, a national roadmap setting out six priority areas to strengthen rural health systems in New Zealand.

The GRACE initiative (Global Rural Health Action, Collaboration and Excellence), a major new global initiative focusing on international collaboration, policy advocacy and sharing practical solutions, was also unveiled.

Dr Pratyush Kumar noted: “GRACE is about turning shared knowledge into coordinated global action, and Aotearoa New Zealand is an ideal place to lead that conversation.”

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For information on hosting your next conference in New Zealand, visit businessevents.newzealand.com


Philippine MICE sector sees gradual 2H2026 rebound as stakeholders urge subsidies

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Industry stakeholders are urging the government to introduce subsidies to help the sector compete regionally; Makati, Metro Manila pictured

Disrupted by the crisis in the Middle East, the Philippine business events sector is shaping up for a gradual rebound in 2H2026, with industry optimism returning now that the energy market has begun to steady, bringing a welcome relief to local fuel costs.

As host to ASEAN 2026, the Philippines shifted 650 meetings from face-to-face to a virtual format in March, with the exception of the ASEAN 2026 Summit in Cebu in May, and another Summit to be held at the Philippine International Convention Center in November. The Philippine president also issued a directive for government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations to shift from face-to-face to online events.

Industry stakeholders are urging the government to introduce subsidies to help the sector compete regionally; Makati, Metro Manila pictured

But as global fuel prices stabilise and domestic fuel prices roll back, Twin Lakes Hotel’s general manager Rowena Relucio is sanguine that meetings and conferences will gradually pick up in 3Q2026, observing that corporate events as well as small government, and ASEAN-related meetings are already starting to return.

Meanwhile, Carmela Bocanegra, vice president of sales and marketing for Filinvest Hospitality (formerly Chroma Hospitality), remains “cautiously optimistic”, anticipating selective growth and a gradual rebound in spending as budget approvals that were paused earlier begin to move again in 2H2026.

“MICE business will be on a controlled upswing, rather than experiencing the explosive growth expected at the beginning of the year before the global crisis,” Bocanegra noted.

Some stakeholders suggest introducing government subsidies for business events, pointing to clear models of state support in countries like Thailand and Singapore.

Margie Munsayac, chair of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association, said: “Sometimes, the Philippines is at a disadvantage because our MICE packages are very much challenged compared to competitors like Bangkok and Vietnam.”

Munsayac conceded that the Philippines cannot compete head-on regarding price. While the country possesses the necessary attractions and capabilities, she emphasised that “the market also needs support in whatever form, but it is always about subsidies that will be needed to make MICE a lucrative business for everybody”.

Addressing the argument that a free market relies strictly on supply and demand rather than government-mandated pricing, Munsayac pointed to proactive governments in Japan and Thailand that utilise collaborative pricing commissions to support hotels and tour operators. She urged the Philippines to look beyond basic market forces, noting that the country must figure out how it can attract more international arrivals and reach more domestic travellers.

Michelle de Ocampo Ballesteros, president of the Philippine Marketing Association, agreed that “industries, including MICE, must have government subsidies during crises” because of their high-value impact on the economy.

Bocanegra also favours a government subsidy, provided the right framework is established. “MICE is a high-multiplier industry and can generate revenue for various sectors: hotels, airlines, F&B, retail, etc.,” she said.

“If the regional competition is already doing it, why can’t we? If done, it would be targeted, temporary, and performance-driven. It should be paired with structural improvements too, to replace them,” Bocanegra emphasised.

New Te Puna Mahara Centre to open near Queenstown this July

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Te Puna Mahara – Cromwell Memorial Events Centre

A new NZ$45.6 million (US$25.7 million) convention and events venue in Central Otago, New Zealand, will open soon, positioned as a scenic alternative for conferences and events seeking easy access to Queenstown without being based in the resort town itself.

Te Puna Mahara – Cromwell Memorial Events Centre will officially open on July 18 in Cromwell, about 45 minutes from Queenstown International Airport. The council-owned facility has been more than 20 years in the making and is designed to serve both the local community and the wider Central Otago and Southern Lakes region.

Te Puna Mahara – Cromwell Memorial Events Centre

Located beside the Kawarau River and adjacent to Cromwell Heritage Precinct, the venue combines conference infrastructure with museum, exhibition and hospitality offerings under one roof.

Delegates will have access to waterfront views, nearby galleries and cafes, and panoramic outlooks across Central Otago’s distinctive schist landscapes and the junction of the Kawarau and Clutha/Mata-Au rivers.

At the heart of the centre is a 400-seat auditorium with retractable seating that can be converted into a banquet space. The facility also includes breakout rooms, exhibition areas, a boutique 40-seat cinema, museum and gallery spaces, a dance studio, onsite catering and a seven-day cafe.

According to venue representatives, Te Puna Mahara is targeting conferences, incentives and corporate events, with capacity for gala dinners of up to 240 guests and cocktail functions for up to 500 standing attendees.

The venue’s largest function space overlooks the surrounding mountains and river landscape, a feature operators believe will help differentiate it within New Zealand’s meetings market.

The venue’s marketing and sponsorship lead, Annabel Roy, said interest has been strong despite the venue only recently beginning sales activity.

“It’s brand new and it has a view that rivals nothing else really in New Zealand,” said Roy.

She added that the venue would help address a gap in the market for larger conference and auditorium-style events in the lower South Island, noting that few comparable facilities exist south of Christchurch.

Fuel shocks and capacity limits to keep airfares, hotel rates high through 2026: FCM

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Screenshot of Felicity Burke (above) and Emma Duff conducting the FCM webinar; photo by Rachel AJ Lee

Corporate travel managers are facing a tougher reality heading into 2H2026 as geopolitical disruptions, astronomical fuel prices, and airline capacity constraints triggers a major surge in travel costs.

During The Road Ahead: Corporate Travel Trends & Market Outlook webinar by FCM Consulting last week, speakers warned that the pricing power remains firmly in the hands of suppliers, obliterating corporate budgets that were benchmarked against last year’s figures.

Screenshot of Felicity Burke (above) and Emma Duff conducting the FCM webinar; photo by Rachel AJ Lee

The pressure on travel departments is reaching a boiling point, with polling during the webinar revealing that 40 per cent of the noise regarding travel spend is coming directly from CEOs, CFOs, and corporate finance teams, while 70 per cent of participants identified ongoing airfare volatility as their primary concern.

The underlying catalyst for the current pricing surge is a prolonged capacity constraint, exacerbated by Middle East airspace disruptions that began earlier this year.

According to Emma Duff, principal consultant APAC at FCM Consulting, global airline schedules have taken a massive hit, with global capacity projections slashed by 53 million seats in May 2026 alone compared to February forecasts, marking the sharpest single-month downward revision of the year.

Duff emphasised the severity of the market conditions, and stated: “It is not a recovery story, it is a capacity constraint story at the moment, and has direct implications on availability and pricing.”

Reduced supply paired with sustained international demand has created a fare pressure scenario, especially as global airlines manage capacity so tightly that passenger load factors have hit historic highs, with the Asia-Pacific region leading the world at an unprecedented 85.1 per cent.

Compounding the capacity crisis is an enormous fuel shock that is reshaping base airfares. While the International Air Transport Association originally forecast jet fuel at US$88 per barrel for 2026, real-world costs have plummeted corporate expectations by sitting at around US$141 dollars per barrel – a staggering 60 per cent above forecast.

Duff noted that this massive cost will not “simply disappear” when regional conflicts ease because 22 airlines skipped transparent fuel surcharges altogether, and went straight into increasing their base fares.

“The cost is now baked into every published fare, every corporate rate, and every GDS display, and it is going to stay there until the airline chooses to refile,” Duff pointed out. As a result, global economy fares have surged nearly 19 per cent year-on-year to March, while business class tickets are up six per cent off an already elevated base.

The pricing pressure is equally severe on the ground, with corporate hotel programmes experiencing widespread inflation across the board.

Felicity Burke, general manager at FCM Consulting, revealed that for the first time in years, every single global region posted an average room rate increase simultaneously during 1Q2026, driving the global average room rate to US$212. High-occupancy markets like Tokyo, Sydney, and Hong Kong continue to see climbing rates, while major global hotel companies – including Hilton, Marriott, and Accor – are leveraging strong demand to report RevPAR increases of between five and 10 per cent to cover their own rising operational costs.

Burke and Duff advised travel managers that benchmarking against previous budget assumptions is no longer a valid strategy, and companies must immediately rest-test their travel policies, adjust budget expectations with the C-suite, and review rate caps. To mitigate these hikes, they urged organisations to utilise NDC channels for exclusive airline content, enforce advanced-purchase behaviours, and audit their travel risk frameworks to ensure traveller safety under sudden market disruptions.

Singapore Institute of Technology brings events veterans into classrooms

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SIT students undertaking the Events and Entertainment specialisation learn from events professionals

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) will soon begin its third round of industry-academia collaboration that is designed to bring real-life applications in the events industry into the classroom.

For a full trimester, starting this September and ending December, students taking the Events and Entertainment specialisation under the Hospitality and Tourism Management Programme will get to learn from one events professional through a three-hour lesson that is aligned with SIT’s module requirements.

SIT students undertaking the Events and Entertainment specialisation learn from events professionals

Associate professor of SIT, Eunice Eunjung Yoo, said the first two editions of the industry-academia collaboration, which was initiated in 2025, had earned the support and participation of 32 industry professionals, whose expertise spanned events financing to event technology.

Some of these “professors for a day” included Kerry Lau, head of marketing at Oracle; Ong Wee Min, vice president of sales and MICE at Marina Bay Sands; Sam Lay, director, National Arts Council; and Nancy Tan, managing director at Ace:Daytons Direct.

Yoo, who is a member of the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers’ Executive Committee, works closely with industry professionals to design lessons that capture both academic and industry requirements, allowing students to be better prepared for the industry upon graduation.

“The lived experiences of these events veterans provide valuable learning points for our students,” Yoo stated.

As many of the industry experts who participated in the first two editions remain enthusiastic about contributing to talent development, Yoo said she would look at the possibility of inviting some of them back to support the next trimester.

Besides having industry professionals stepping in as lecturers, SIT also collaborates with industry players on projects that put students’ events management skills to the test.

One such project involves the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), where students are tasked to write an event proposal that is then judged by PCMA executives.

In another project, students participated in the academic research component of a JWC and Singapore Tourism Board-led Destination Development Model pilot, which seeks to connect business events with wider policy outcomes. They explored potential datasets and indicators that could strengthen the model, and selected participants were given a chance to attend IMEX 2026 in Frankfurt where the DDM was launched.

Additionally, SIT students benefit from internship opportunities with various industry organisations. Yoo shared that SIT students are highly regarded by companies that participate in SIT’s internship programmes.

Yoo believes that such industry-academia collaboration ultimately benefits the events industry, ensuring continued access to young and committed talents.

She noted that when students interact closely with events professionals, they gain a deeper understanding of the scope of business events and are encouraged to build a fulfilling career in the industry.

“Students realise that business events entail more than just conferences or meetings, and that the profession touches something much bigger. They will also learn how destinations have to work with the industry to attract international events, and discover the kind of potential career paths they could take,” said Yoo.

Cost pressures and ROI driving priorities in 2026: BCD M&E

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Organisations are shifting from programme growth to optimisation, prioritising cost control, proven ROI, and practical sustainability

The meetings and events industry has stabilised after years of disruption, but professionals now face intense cost pressures and rising demands for measurable value, according to BCD Meetings & Events’ 2026 Global Client Survey.

While most organisations expect budgets (57%), event volume (56%) and event size (70%) to remain stable, more than a third (36%) now identify demonstrating return on investment (ROI) as a key internal influence shaping meetings and events programmes.

Organisations are shifting from programme growth to optimisation, prioritising cost control, proven ROI, and practical sustainability

“Clients are functioning in a far more disciplined environment, where cost pressure, governance, and ROI expectations shape every decision,” said Bruce Morgan, global president, BCD Meetings & Events. “Organisations generally aren’t asking for more events; they want more value from the events they already run.”

Cost pressure remains the industry’s most significant external challenge, according to 85% of respondents, while organisations are also navigating increased complexity driven by cost containment measures (80%) and structural changes (48%). Together these findings point to a shift from rebuilding programmes to optimising them, making every event work harder and deliver greater strategic value.

“Budgets might be stabilising, but expectations certainly aren’t,” said Morgan. “That’s changing the way programmes are planned and measured – it’s creating greater demand for partners who can help customers navigate complexity while demonstrating clear business outcomes.”

Additionally, sustainability remains important but is becoming more selective and practical. Organisations are prioritising actions that are easier to implement and deliver measurable impact, such as traveling more sustainably (43%) and recycling materials throughout events (32%). Broader or more complex initiatives, including carbon offsetting and zero‑waste policies, have declined year-over-year, reflecting a more realistic approach aligned with governance and budget realities.

The survey findings suggest organisations are shifting their expectations from execution to strategic partnership, from activity metrics to outcome accountability, and from broad sustainability goals to targeted, realistic implementation. As programmes mature, meetings and events are increasingly evaluated through the lens of business impact rather than activity alone.

The survey, conducted between January and March 2026, gathered insights from 240 senior meetings and events stakeholders across North America, Europe, the UK, Latin America and Asia-Pacific.

Access and download the full Global Client Survey, here.

APSAE partners UIA ahead of inaugural summit

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Screenshot from the APSAE site

The Asia Pacific Society of Association Executives (APSAE) has entered into a knowledge partnership with the Union of International Associations (UIA) ahead of its official launch in July 2026.

The partnership was announced as APSAE prepares to launch the inaugural APSAE Summit 2026, which will take place on July 24 to 25 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

Screenshot from the APSAE site

According to the organisations, the agreement will support collaboration, knowledge-sharing and stronger links between association leaders in Asia-Pacific and the wider international association community.

Founded in Brussels in 1907, UIA is an independent non-profit organisation that maintains databases and research resources on international associations, meetings and civil society organisations. APSAE, meanwhile, describes itself as a regional platform for association leaders, partners and knowledge institutions across Asia-Pacific.

The organisations said the partnership will provide opportunities for greater exchange of information and expertise while supporting the development of the association sector in the region.

Prasant Saha, president of APSAE, said the partnership with UIA would help strengthen connections between regional and international association communities, while supporting the development of a more connected association ecosystem across Asia-Pacific.

Cyril Ritchie, president of UIA, added: “We see significant potential in the Asia-Pacific region, and APSAE represents an important platform for bringing leaders together, strengthening collaboration, and advancing the role of associations in addressing regional and global challenges.”

Penang to host digitalisation and AI conference in July

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Press conference for the Penang Digitalisation-AI Conference & Exhibition

The Penang Digitalisation-AI Conference & Exhibition 2026 (PDX2026) will take place on July 15 to 16, 2026, at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre.

Organised by Operion in collaboration with the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), the event aims to provide a platform for discussions on AI, digital transformation, cybersecurity, workforce development and business innovation.

Press conference for the Penang Digitalisation-AI Conference & Exhibition

The conference is expected to attract participants from government agencies, multinational corporations, SMEs, startups, educational institutions, investors and technology providers from across the region.

PDX2026 will feature speakers from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, with sessions covering topics such as AI adoption, digital transformation, smart manufacturing, ESG, talent development and cross-border collaboration.

Alongside the conference and exhibition, organisers will introduce a Food & Cultural Experience Zone highlighting Penang’s culinary heritage and Malaysian culture. The event will also include networking activities and a lucky draw programme for participants.

Speaking at the launch, the organising committee said the event is intended to support Penang’s ambitions in digital innovation, AI adoption, talent development and business collaboration while creating opportunities for knowledge-sharing and industry engagement.

The press conference at Olive Tree Hotel Penang also unveiled other key partners. Aside from PCEB, they include the Malaysia Productivity Corporation, Northern Corridor Implementation Authority, Penang Women’s Development Corporation, Malaysia Board of Technologists and Digital Penang.

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