Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Launches a Professional Development Grant Program

March 24, 2015

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) has launched a Professional Development Grant aimed at growing the next generation of local meetings industry leaders.

The grant will provide three young local association executives the opportunity to attend the  ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) Congress 2016, which will be held in Kuching, Sarawak, to engage with leading international industry professionals and expand their knowledge and capabilities in association management at the same time,  familiarise themselves with the global meetings industry and the bid process in anticipation of future regional and international congresses linked to their respective association.

Elaborating, the Centre’s general manager, Alan Pryor said, “We believe direct exposure to industry experts and stakeholders will help equip the young executives with the tools to become ‘Malaysian Ambassadors’ for their association and the country. So we invite Malaysian association executives aged between 25 and 35 years old and  who are registered and a participating member of a national association that is registered, active and holds an annual national conference, to apply (for the grant).”

Given the Centre’s belief in professional development as one way of furthering Malaysia’s business tourism credentials, it was only apt that the Professional Development Grant was launched, by Pryor and ICCA president, Nina Freysen-Pretorius, at the 10th edition of the facility‘s annual Association Seminar March 10.

Congratulating the Centre on its Association Seminar and Professional Development Grant initiatives, Freysen-Pretorius said the Centre’s efforts towards industry talent development are commendable. “I would encourage the national associations to take advantage of this support to uplift their profile within their international network. This will ultimately benefit both the local organisation and the country.”

The Association Seminar is an annual thought-leadership and knowledge-sharing event; under the Centre’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) umbrella, held to educate, encourage and inspire local associations to proactively engage with their international counterparts to bring their meetings to Malaysia.

And with the facility marking 10 years in the business (this year), it was appropriate that the 2015 seminar theme, ‘Leading Associations into the Future’, reflected its aspirations in charting new strategies for greater growth in the decade to come.

This year ‘s (seminar) programme saw Freysen-Pretorius joined by Martin Lewis, Managing Director, CAT Publications Ltd, a unique organisation that specialises solely in magazines, directories, live events and web sites for the conference and incentive travel markets, in an interactive dialogue on the global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry, international best-practices and the future direction of the industry.

Also on the agenda were presentations on the ‘Kuala Lumpur Tourism Master Plan 2015 – 2025’ by DBKL’s Head of Tourism Unit, Noraza Yusof, and The Benefits Beyond Tourism’ by Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau’s (MyCEB) Market Research Manager, Manisa Nor.

The online application form and further information on the Centre’s Professional Development Grant will be available on www.klccconventioncentre.com by the end of March.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.