In June 2005, Malaysia’s most technologically-advanced, purpose-built facility for international conventions, tradeshows, public exhibitions, entertainment and private functions and located at the city’s iconic landmark destination, the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, opened for business. From inception, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) put its vision into action, “to turn heads by making a difference with a team of dedicated, connected professionals, striving for perfection and excellence to become the global market’s preferred choice where all things are possible”.
Six plus years down the road, it is today the premier convention centre in the country.
Purpose built, world-class
Spread over 7.3 acres and spanning five levels, the facility boasts 20,059sq m of flexible function space that includes 9,710sq m of column-free exhibition space, a 3,000 capacity Plenary Hall, 500-seat Plenary Theatre, a Grand Ballroom for 2,000 diners, Banquet Hall which can seat up to 800 people theatre style and 600 for a banquet, Conference Hall for 1,800, 20 meeting rooms and ancillary facilities, plus all the latest in wireless, 3G telecommunications and digital audio-visual services. The Centre also prides itself on having a professional team to deliver world-class services and top-notch culinary offerings; the latter served up by a 51-strong culinary brigade.
To date, the Centre has played host to 5,203 events attended by over 12.08m delegates and visitors since opening in June 2005. This in turn has contributed approximately RM3.6bn (£740m), in economic impact to Kuala Lumpur city and Malaysia.
Malaysia’s ‘business tourism ambassador’
Along the way, the Centre has played, and continues to play, a key role in the growth of the local business tourism industry and to promote Malaysia as the preferred business tourism destination for regional and international meetings.
An example of the former is the Centre’s Ambassador Programme which aims to educate, train and effectively grow a pool of talent whilst addressing a manpower shortage faced by the industry. The programme also provides opportunities for Malaysians keen to expand their skills set and forge a career in the hospitality industry. And in an on-going commitment to promote Malaysia as the preferred business tourism destination for regional and international meetings, the Centre’s annual Association Seminar provides local associations with a broader understanding of what is involved when it comes to bidding for international and regional business tourism events.
As for international visitors attending regional and international conferences at its venue, the Centre ensures they are exposed to Malaysia’s thriving cultural roots with a complimentary cultural showcase of henna-painting batik-painting, wood carving, pewter-smithing, basket-weaving, calligraphy and songket-weaving, with the soothing sounds of the gamelan (traditional Malay orchestra) in the background. This also provides a fresh and exciting cultural experience on the delegates’ conference programme.
Growing with Kuala Lumpur
In late-2010, the Malaysian government endorsed business tourism as part of an Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) that aims to transform the nation into a high income economy by 2020. Under the ETP is a plan to transform Kuala Lumpur into the only metropolis in Asia to achieve both a top 20 economic growth rate and become one the world’s top 20 most liveable cities, also by 2020.
In tandem with all this is the ‘Greater Kuala Lumpur Development and Economic Transformation Programme’ (Greater KL) that includes the planned development of an overhead pedestrian walkway to link major places of interests and hotels around Kuala Lumpur city, to provided added convenience and flexibility for visitors to get to and from hotels or shopping destinations and other strategic locations.
All of which bodes well for the Centre. With all the development plans now a work-in-progress, the Centre’s attraction as the ideal venue for regional and international events will be greatly enhanced. Already, it will benefit from the upcoming 450-room Grand Hyatt Hotel and Impiana KLCC Hotel Phase 2 expansion project of 180 additional rooms to the existing 322 units and an overhead bridge that links Impiana Hotel directly.
Certifications and awards
Further cementing its position as a world-class facility, the Centre continues to notch up numerous awards, certifications and accolades. Already accredited with several relevant international quality certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 22000 and OHSAS 18001, EarthCheck Bronze (environment) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), the international food safety system for international convention facilities and five-star hotels, it became the first convention centre in Malaysia to be awarded ISO 14001:2004 and the first in Asia; and one of only 12 International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) worldwide, to receive the AIPC Quality Standards certification, in 2011.
In addition, it continues to be acknowledged for its commitment to the delivery of quality products and services by its peers. 2011 saw six more awards added to an already burgeoning list. These were the Business Destinations Travel Awards 2011 for ‘Best Congress & Convention Centre, Asia’; TTG Travel Awards 2011 for ‘Best Convention & Exhibition Centre’; Meeting Industry Marketing Awards (MIMA) 2011 for ‘Best Use of Budget (Bronze)’; Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) Awards 2011 for ‘Best MICE Venue’; the 2nd Malaysia Independence Award 1957 for ‘Malaysia’s Prominent Brand’; and one of five recipients of the BrandLaureate Country Branding Award 2010-2011.
Welcoming more in the new year
As the centre welcomes 2012, it looks forward to acquainting many more foreign visitors with the exciting sights and sounds Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia has to offer and more importantly, the world-class facility, service and product offerings that have made it the venue of choice for regional and international events in the region.
For further information visit: www.klccconventioncentre.com
