Business Events Wellington has announced two key leadership appointments.
Loryn Blaikie has been appointed manager, Business Events Wellington, succeeding Irette Ferreira. Blaikie was previously part of the Business Events Wellington team, and brings significant international experience gained through her recent role representing New Zealand’s largest convention centre, the New Zealand International Convention Centre.
From left: Loryn Blaikie; and Louise Woodburn
She commences her role on April 7.
In addition, Louise Woodburn has been promoted to manager, business development. In this newly-created role, Woodburn will lead a dedicated business development unit within Business Events Wellington, with responsibility for international business development and the organisation’s advocate network. As part of this structure, business development managers Angela Leung, and Belinda Yeo, will report to Louise.
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.
The iconic Petronas Twin Towers dominate Kuala Lumpur’s skyline
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.”
Varel Singapore, a Tribute Portfolio hotel, has named Andy Tan as general manager ahead of its April 2026 opening.
He brings more than three decades of hospitality and travel experience and most recently held a senior leadership role at Millennium Hotels & Resorts, supporting commercial performance and operational alignment across its global portfolio.
In his role, Tan will lead the hotel’s pre-opening strategy, team development and commercial positioning as the South-east Asia flagship of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio brand.
The NGL programme has been a stepping stone for dozens of rising leaders worldwide
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has opened applications for the 10th anniversary edition of its Next Generation Leadership (NGL) Programme.
Professionals working in the exhibition industry for less than 10 years have until March 25, 2026, to apply for one of five spots in the 2026 cohort.
The NGL programme has been a stepping stone for dozens of rising leaders worldwide
The mission for this year’s programme tasks participants with bridging the generational gap, specifically investigating how live events can evolve to meet the digital, sustainable, and purpose-driven expectations of Gen Z and younger millennials.
Supported by industry giants including Clarion, Informa Markets, and RX, the initiative serves as an intensive seven-month incubator for talent to drive global innovation while maintaining their current professional roles.
An international jury, chaired by UFI president Panittha Buri, will select the winners in late April. The chosen leaders will kick off their collaboration at the UFI European Conference in Izmir, Türkiye (June 3 to 5), before presenting their final strategic findings to industry executives at the 93rd UFI Global Congress in Bahrain (November 2 to 5).
Plaza Premium Group appoints Cyrus Wong as general manager, Oceania, overseeing the Group’s operations and performance across the region.
He most recently served as director, asset management at Plaza Premium Group, where he led portfolio performance and long-range commercial planning across global assets.
Wong joined the company in 2020, supporting international expansion through feasibility assessments and commercial negotiations with airlines, airports, and hospitality partners.
Losada brings more than 15 years of luxury hospitality experience and previously served as pre-opening and opening general manager of Regent Phu Quoc from 2019 to 2022, where he led the resort’s launch and market positioning.
He returns with international leadership experience across luxury properties in destinations including Dubai and Barcelona.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group appoints Kung Teong Wah as cluster general manager overseeing Parkroyal Collection Pickering, Singapore and Parkroyal on Beach Road, Singapore.
In his expanded role, he will continue to lead Parkroyal Collection Pickering while assuming strategic oversight of Parkroyal on Beach Road. He previously served as general manager of Parkroyal on Beach Road and brings more than three decades of hospitality experience, with deep expertise in Singapore’s hotel sector.
Under his leadership at Parkroyal Collection Pickering, the hotel strengthened its market positioning through renovation, sustainability initiatives and operational transformation, including workforce redesign and digital adoption programmes.
An aerial view of Visakhapatnam from Kailasagiri Hill
The Andhra Pradesh government is set to unveil a dedicated MICE Policy to transform the southern Indian state into an international business events destination.
The upcoming framework will introduce aggressive incentives and formal bidding support designed to attract high-value global conventions and tradeshows.
An aerial view of Visakhapatnam from Kailasagiri Hill
“We are planning to establish city-level MICE bureaus in three locations, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Vijayawada, within the next two months.
“Our inventory of classified hotel rooms is also expected to increase from the current 5,000 to 20,000 over the next five years, which will further support the growth of MICE demand,” said Ajay Jain, special chief secretary for tourism, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Building on the success of New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, the Indian government has proposed the development of a similar convention facility, Andhra Mandapam, in Visakhapatnam.
“I believe Andhra Pradesh Tourism’s planned city MICE bureaus will significantly aid in projecting the state as a global MICE destination. These bureaus will act as single-window facilitators for permissions, local partnerships, and marketing, addressing key pain points such as fragmented approvals,” opined Souvagya Mohapatra, managing director (India, Nepal, Bhutan & Sri Lanka) for hospitality company Atmosphere Core.
However, Mohapatra pointed out that the effectiveness of these MICE bureaus will depend on autonomous operations, public-private collaboration, and infrastructure upgrades; otherwise, the initiative risks being symbolic rather than transformative.
Atmosphere Core is expanding its footprint in Andhra Pradesh with a seven-billion-rupee (US$77 million) investment to develop three luxury properties. The pipeline includes a 200-key super-premium beachfront hotel in Visakhapatnam, a 150-key property in Tirupati, and a 120-key upscale development in Amaravati.
“These projects will feature facilities tailored for the MICE segment,” shared Mohapatra.
Additionally, the Andhra Pradesh-based Varun Group is developing a 5,574m2 convention centre in Amaravati. The project includes a 140-room five-star property, with plans to expand the hotel to 200 rooms.
“Globally, city-based MICE bureaus actively bid for international events, as such structures carry significant weight in the selection process. Once these city MICE bureaus are established, we can advise them on which international conferences they should target and bid for,” said Chander Mansharamani, vice chairman of the India Convention Promotion Bureau.
The Global Sustainable Tourism Conference 2026 will take place in April
Phuket, Thailand, is gearing up for the global spotlight after winning the hosting bids for three major conferences this year.
Supported by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), these events – the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC) 2026, InterPride World Conference, and Global Wellness Summit (GWS) 2026 – will position the island as a leader in sustainability, equity, and wellness.
The Global Sustainable Tourism Conference 2026 will take place in April
The calendar begins with GSTC 2026 from April 21 to 24 at the Royal Phuket City Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott, followed by the InterPride General Meeting and World Conference 2026 from October 28 to November 1 at Duangjitt Resort and Spa. The year will conclude with GWS 2026 from November 10 to 13, a high-profile gathering supported by the Ministry of Public Health and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The three conferences are expected to attract approximately 2,100 international delegates and generate a combined economic impact of 351.4 million baht (US$11.3 million), while creating 484 local jobs.
TCEB president Supawan Teerarat noted that this achievement reflects Phuket’s capability to decentralise world-class events away from Bangkok and align them with specific regional branding strategies.
The selection of Phuket for these events is rooted in its proactive local networks; for instance, the island is currently partnering with the UNDP to set Sustainable Development targets through 2030 and serves as a pilot city for biodiversity conservation. These credentials were instrumental in securing the GSTC 2026 bid.
Furthermore, the InterPride 2026 hosting is bolstered by Thailand’s landmark equal marriage legislation and ongoing progress in gender recognition laws. Simultaneously, the Global Wellness Summit aligns with a 20-year national strategy to establish Phuket as a premier international medical and wellness hub.
Phuket’s deputy governor, Suwit Phansengiam, noted: “Phuket is using MICE as a key mechanism to drive high-quality economic growth. International conferences generate benefits beyond tourism, spreading value to local businesses and communities. Hosting these major events demonstrates Phuket’s readiness as an international MICE city, enhances the island’s image, attracts investment, and supports sustainable economic growth.
“Phuket will continue developing its MICE industry to create new value for the province and strengthen Thailand’s regional MICE standing.”
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In his role, Tan will lead the hotel’s pre-opening strategy, team development and commercial positioning as the South-east Asia flagship of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio brand.
Wong joined the company in 2020, supporting international expansion through feasibility assessments and commercial negotiations with airlines, airports, and hospitality partners.
He returns with international leadership experience across luxury properties in destinations including Dubai and Barcelona.
He most recently spent nearly a decade with Onyx Hospitality Group, where he served as hotel manager of Amari Phuket.
Under his leadership at Parkroyal Collection Pickering, the hotel strengthened its market positioning through renovation, sustainability initiatives and operational transformation, including workforce redesign and digital adoption programmes.
