The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia’s premier purpose-built business events destination, is concluding 2023 on a high note, having successfully hosted 1,724 events throughout the year. This marks the highest number since 2014, signifying a significant rebound for the venue, which hosted only 300 events in 2021 during the peak of the pandemic.
In addition to hosting the 1,724 events, the centre welcomed 1,342,295 delegates in 2023, comprising both international and Malaysian attendees. This influx of visitors contributed to the Centre’s estimated economic impact of RM656 million for Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia, more than doubling the figure from 2022.
The economic impact encompasses contributions to local retailers, F&B outlets, hotels, airlines, and the broader business events supply chain, leading to increased employment opportunities for Malaysians.
John Burke, the centre’s general manager, said, “I am thrilled to confirm that 2023 has been one of the Centre’s best years. We surpassed our ambitious targets by over 30%, thanks to the hard work and tireless efforts of our team.
“Our success is a collective achievement for the entire Malaysian business events supply chain, reflecting not only our initiatives but also the contributions of our partners, including the Malaysia Exhibition and Conference Bureau (MyCEB).”
Reflecting on the centre’s history since its opening in 2005, John added, “Since 2005, the venue has hosted over 20,000 events, welcomed more than 28 million guests, and generated over RM11 billion in economic impact for the Malaysian economy.
This underscores the crucial role of the business events sector in Malaysia’s ongoing prosperity, fostering knowledge exchange, best practices, and learnings that benefit businesses, including SMEs and individuals.”
Ravindran Sathiamoorthy, the centre’s director of sales, provided insights into the revenue distribution for 2023, revealing that conventions contributed 26%, exhibitions 28%, and the corporate segment (banquets, functions, meetings, and events) generated 46%. entertainment events, including international acts, reached a record 29 in a single year.
Conventions and Exhibitions combined accounted for 54% of revenue, with plans to increase that to 60% in the future. Sathiamoorthy expressed optimism for 2024, citing already secured bookings covering 65% of the targeted revenue.
Looking ahead, the centre anticipates hosting major events in 2024, including the International Surgical Week, European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) meets Asia, 12th World Federation of Chiropractic Global Education Conference, and the International Union of Architects (UIA) International Forum.
The centre achieved success beyond its business performance in 2023, actively participating in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. Noteworthy efforts include waste reduction, extensive recycling programs, food waste minimization, sustainable sourcing practices, and a subscription to the Green Electricity Tariff.
