Penang Bureau launches ‘Unfiltered’ global campaign for Business Events

Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) has launched its new global Business Events campaign, ‘Penang 2020: BE Unfiltered’. The campaign was launched at Hin Bus Depot in conjunction with Experience Penang Year 2020 and Visit Malaysia 2020 and PCEB’s CEO Ashwin Gunasekeran unveiled four new products developed for the campaign, which will run until December 2020. Officiating the launch were YAB Chow Kon Yeow, the Chief Minister of Penang and YB Yeoh Soon Hin, the Penang State Exco for Tourism Development, Arts, Culture & Heritage. Also present at the launch were Jonathan Freddy P. Bagang, Director of Ministry of Tourism & Culture Malaysia (MOTAC); and Khoo Boo Lim, Chairman of Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang Chapter, as well as over 100 industry partners. “I believe Penang is ready for the next stage of destination marketing for business events, as this segment thus far has successfully positioned Penang as a second-tier destination. It is also important for us to showcase more of what Penang and the players of the industry are able to offer through Penang 2020: BE Unfiltered within the campaign period,” said Gunaskeran. “We need to continue the energy and effort in maintaining the interest and awareness that business events have created for Penang,” the PCEB CEO added. “This is where the Penang 2020: BE Unfiltered campaign plays a role, and works as an additional incentive to attract more events into the state.” One of the four new products is the PCEB Mobile App for delegates. Its main features include information on Penang for delegates, a calendar showing upcoming events and other supported business events happening in Penang. The app is currently available for download on Google Play and the Apple Store. PCEB has also introduced a Penang 2020 edition of Privilege Penang –with additional support packages from PCEB’s industry partners. PCEB’s first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme – Penang Turtle Cares, meanwhile, means close partnering long-term with the Penang Department of Fisheries and the Penang Turtle Sanctuary located at Pantai Kerachut. PCEB is to assist in improving the turtle conservation facilities. Ashwin also announced that PCEB and Malaysia Airlines Berhad are extending their strategic partnership until 2020. The airline is offering special flight rates for delegates coming to Penang. “Business events are crucial for the economy and the development of Penang because the industry has the potential to go beyond just bringing in more quality tourists to the state. This is an industry which is knowledge-led and is able to put Penang on the world map as a knowledge hub, which in turn brings in investment from the private sector,” said YAB Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang. Penang State, in North West Malaysia, hosted over 200 international meetings with 106,265 delegates from across the globe in 2018. Penang also has a convention capacity of 30,000 and 14,389 rated hotel rooms.