51% Growth for Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in 2008

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre recorded a 51% increase in the number of conventions in 2008, from 22 in 2007 to 45 in 2008, the highest so far since the centre’s opening in 2005.

Of the 45 conventions, 37 (82%) were international and 8 (18%) were national or local events, which attracted 51,919 delegates representing 147,312 delegate days (67% increase over 2007). The average attendance per convention was 1,153 delegates, over an average of 3 days per event.

The centre’s General Manager, Peter Brokenshire, said, “We are delighted with the stellar performance of the convention segment. This can be attributed to strategic marketing and promotional activities which began in 2003, before the Centre opened. This is proof that Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur are attractive meeting destinations. The 16th World Congress of Information Technology (WCIT) for example, attracted 3,313 delegates from 92 countries which resulted in a 43% increase in delegate numbers as well as quadruple sales in exhibition space.”

Of the events held, an impressive 84% of total exhibitions held at the centre were recurrent shows. The 63 exhibitions consisted of 52% trade and 48% consumer shows. These figures placed the centre as the preferred venue for 41% of all exhibitions held in Kuala Lumpur.

In 2008, the centre was the venue of choice for 543 events comprising 153 banquets and functions, 45 conventions, 63 exhibitions, 255 meetings and events and 27 entertainment productions. Of the 543 events, 17% were international and the balance, national or local in nature compared to 11% in 2007.

These events attracted 2.06 million delegates, representing 2.2 million delegate days and generated an estimated RM 568 million (US$ 158 million, A$ 232 million) in terms of economic impact to the city, against RM 469 million (US$ 129 million, A$ 192 million) in 2007.

Brokenshire added, “The 2008 results demonstrated better utilisation of space at the centre compared to 2007. The event size grew from an average of 3,300 attendees per event to 3,800 whilst room occupancy rate increased by 12%.

“As at February 2009, the centre had secured more than 360 bookings for this year plus 24 international and regional conferences for 2009 and beyond. Although there are global economic challenges, we maintain an optimistic outlook for 2009. The current economic scenario creates the continued needs for meetings to be more crucial as in times of crisis, people want to meet and connect with their colleagues even more.”

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