Malaysia launches ‘BE-READY’ for business initiative

The Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS), in collaboration with the Business Events Council Malaysia (BECM), have jointly launched their ‘BE-READY’ initiative, designed to showcase the industry’s safe execution of MICE events. The initiative is in line with Business Events (BE) Guidelines, which have been developed in accordance with the approved Malaysian National Security Council (MKN) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). ‘BE-READY’ was officiated by Dato’ Dr. Noor Zari bin Hamat, secretary general, ministry of tourism, arts and culture Malaysia (MOTAC) and chairman of the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB). The launch of BE-READY brought to life exhibition stand mock-ups and various event set-ups to show how business events in the new normal are being conducted in a controlled, organised, safe and structured manner. The initiative is also part of an effort to rebuild public confidence in the meetings and events industry. The launch also included a briefing for industry stakeholders on how to apply the BE Guidelines when planning and executing their events. Topics covered included employee and personal safety, physical distancing measures, increased health and safety measures, attendee management and control, as well as on-site communication encouraging adherence and the provision of guidance and compliance. Chairman of BECM, Alan Pryor, said: “We are pleased to resume business events with strict adherence to stringent health and hygiene measures and our prime importance is to provide a safe, controlled and regulated operating environment for our clients, stakeholders and event attendees.  We would like to commend the solidarity and collaboration of the industry supply-chain to proactively drive engagement with government to get our industry SOP approved and to demonstrate that business events, unlike mass gatherings, are executed in a safe, controlled, and regulated environment.” According to MACEOS President, Dato’ Vincent Lim, “All of us must take note that it will be a new normal in organising and welcoming our visitors or delegates to our business events.  Now that we have the BE industry Guidelines and SOPs endorsed, we urge all members, professional conference organisers (PCOs), professional exhibitions organisers (PEO), convention centres, contractors service providers, and other stakeholders to strictly observe and comply to these SOPs.” Pryor concluded: “We are confident that with the Government’s support the Malaysian business events industry is well positioned to rebound strongly, and are thrilled to be hosting events again safely and securely.” Photo: (R-L) Chairman of BECM, Alan Pryor; MACEOS president, Dato’ Vincent Lim; secretary general, ministry of tourism, arts and culture Malaysia (MOTAC), Dato’ Dr. Noor Zari bin Hamat; CEO of the Malaysia MyCEB, Dato’ Sri Abdul Khani bin Daud; and MACEOS vice-president – industry partners, Eric Ho during the launch of the Business Events (BE) Guidelines at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.