MALAYSIA’S Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is seeing a strong performance during the final stretch of the year, with repeat events making up 76 per cent of the total 21 event count.

These 21 medium to large-size events between October and December are expected to draw 538,000 attendees.

Of the 16 recurring events, 10 have had five editions or more at the venue. They include PIKOM PC Fair, which has held 28 shows at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre since 2005; Malaysia International Jewellery Festival and UK Education which have both supported the venue for a decade; and HOMEDEC Part 1, HOMEDEC Part 2 and Malaysia Institute of Accountants Conference which have been hosted at the centre since 2006.

Other repeat events include International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference, International Baby Expo, Starproperty.my Fair and Facon Education Fair.

General manager, Alan Pryor, said: “The loyalty afforded to us by our clients since opening has been second to none.

“And as we prepare to celebrate 10 years in the business come 2015, we look forward to (marking) the milestone with clients and stakeholders who have contributed directly and indirectly to our growth and success.”

Towards this end, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre has plans for several marketing and promotional packages such as discounts on ancillary charges for day conference packages, complimentary mocktails for banquets and Exhibition Loyalty Value-Add Programme tier upgrades to reward clients for their continued patronage.

MANILA will for the first time host the World Trade Centres Association’s (WTCA) 46th General Assembly on April 25-29 next year.

The general assembly, a rotating annual gathering and the flagship event of New York-based WTCA, is a forum for World Trade Centre executives, board members and international business leaders to exchange ideas, share strategies and gain exposure.

Nearly 300 WTC leaders in 100 countries are expected to attend the event, said Pamela Pascual, senior vice president and general manager of host World Trade Centre Metro Manila (WTCMM).

Pascual said hosting the 46th General Assembly is “an opportunity to showcase our country” which is enjoying a robust economic growth and “to show international leaders how we do business”.

Hosting the event is also a feather in the cap of the Philippine MICE sector of which the WTCMM is one of the pioneers.

With the theme Better Together Through Global Unity and Cooperation, WTCMM is focusing the programme on, among other things, strengthening the WTCA network; identifying the best trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines; and the impact of politics, economics and culture on doing business in the country.

The Philippines won the bid for the 2015 edition at the second try. It lost to India the first time a few years ago.

TRIUMPHING over strong rivals Norway, Russia and China, the South Korean city of Daegu has bagged hosting rights to the world’s largest energy convention.

The World Gas Conference (WGC) 2021 is expected to see more than 6,000 gas experts, officials and scholars from 90 countries in attendance, while a conference component will feature 15,000 exhibitors and visitors.

Daegu will be the third Asian city to play host to the event, which was previously held in Kuala Lumpur in 2012 and Tokyo in 2003.

According to a press statement from the Daegu Convention & Visitors Bureau, Daegu’s experience in hosting the World Energy Congress last year – another prominent energy convention – had “partially paved the way for WGC’s arrival in 2021”.

Other reasons for Daegu’s successful bid include its burgeoning reputation as a green energy city and the establishment of Korea Gas Corporation’s (KOGAS) headquarters there.

Last November, the Daegu Metropolitan City, KOGAS, the Korean Gas Union, shipbuilders and industrial plants launched the WGC Bidding Committee. They visited fifty member countries, while diplomatic emissaries met with each country’s government and gas officials to gain support for South Korea as host destination. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy also met with foreign government officials to support promotion activities.

According to KOGAS, the conference is expected to generate some 120 billion won (US$113.8 million) in added value and the employment of 2,500 people in the local economy.

Dong-Myung Ha, director of the Korean Institute of Gas, believes the event will bolster South Korea’s presence in the energy industry.

Daegu mayor, Young Jin-Gwon, echoed these sentiments, saying: “We will do our best to prepare for a successful WGC 2021. We’ll keep expanding convention infrastructure and hosting more international events to make Daegu an international meeting destination.”

THE Victorian State Government announced today a proposed expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) which will give the venue new retail space, additional car parks, hotel accommodation and multi-purpose convention and exhibition facilities.

MCEC has desired an expansion for a while now. In a 2013 interview with TTGmice, chief executive Peter King told the magazine that the venue had been running at 100 per cent capacity, making it a challenge to accommodate smaller meetings and exhibitions with a conference component.

In a media statement issued this morning, MCEC said nearly 20 per cent of new business opportunities are rejected due to the lack of available space.

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust chairman Bob Annells said: “The expansion business case has been in the pipeline with the Victorian State Government and stakeholders for some time and we are grateful for their support.”

Annells added: “The investment supports the ongoing work MCEC conducts with the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) to attract business events to Victoria which are worth around A$1.2 billion (US$1 billion) each year and generate 22,600 jobs.”

King said the expansion proposal is in response to the changing business events industry, customer expectations and worldwide competition, and believes that “the development will enhance the flexibility of the whole precinct and ensures MCEC continues to deliver world-class event experiences”.

Commenting on the expansion announcement, MCB CEO Karen Bolinger said: “MCB is currently working on a significant pipeline of opportunities for the next few years, therefore this investment by the Victorian State Government is very welcome news as it will enable both organisations to continue to deliver high-yield large-scale business events to the state for many years to come.”

MCEC hosted 1,030 events in the last 12 months, included high profile ones like the World Diabetes Congress, the World Congress of Cardiology and the 20th International AIDS Conference. The year’s events attracted near 1.5 million visitors and generated more than A$274 million for Victoria.

PAN Pacific Singapore has rolled out a selection of seven privileges for conference organisers to choose from and complement their meetings.

Called Pan Pacific Rewards, the number of perks awarded under this scheme is dependent on the number of room nights the organiser books.

For bookings of 20 to 50 nights, the organiser receives two privileges; 51 to 80 nights, three privileges; 81 to 110 nights, four privileges; 111 to 160 nights, five privileges; for reservations of more than 161 nights, Pan Pac Singapore will give all seven privileges.

Pan Pacific Rewards also provides five per cent savings on meeting packages, free use of the LCD projector, a coffee break and two snacks, late chek-out until 18.00 for five guests, an upgrade to Panoramic Room category for extra S$30 per room, upgrade to the next room category for up to five rooms for every 30 booked, and one free room for every 40 rooms booked for at least three nights.

Half-day rates start from S$85 (US$67) including one break and one lunch, and full-day prices begin at S$105, with two breaks and a lunch thrown in.

Meanwhile, room rates are priced from S$300 per room per night with breakfast, high-speed wireless Internet, and 20 per cent discounts on any of the hotel’s restaurants and bars bundled into the price.

The package is available until February 28, 2015 and valid for group sizes of 20 pax for the meeting and 10 guestrooms per night.

The deal is applicable for stays from November 24, 2014 to February 28, 2015. Quote MP2015 when making enquiries.

For more information, call (65) 6826 8250 or visit the Pan Pacific Rewards page.

IT&CM Events will run its educational programme on association management at Suntec Singapore this December, creating a platform for association professionals to learn and network.

To be held on December 2, the event is the fourth instalment of IT&CM Event’s Association Day programme for 2014.

Simon Pryor, principal professional learning and certification advisor of Australasian Society of Association Executives, who was both a moderator and panellist at Association Days @ IT&CMA in Bangkok, commented: “Global competition and the opening up of Asian economies through initiatives such as the ASEAN Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership means that more than ever before, Asian countries need their professional, trade and industry associations to help drive social cohesion and economic growth through vital advocacy, leadership, standards and information services.

“So, as these associations develop in response to new demands, it becomes essential for knowledge and education support such as the Association Day programmes offered by IT&CM Events, to be available to board members and paid staff.”

Looking ahead to the new year, venues and dates of IT&CM Event’s Association Days series in 2015 include IT&CM China in Shanghai (April 15), IT&CM India in Delhi (August 19), and IT&CMA in Bangkok, Thailand (September 30 and October 1).