BE @ Penang 2023 will return to the Setia SPICE Convention Centre this Dec 7 to 8. — Photos courtesy of Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau
THE Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau’s (PCEB) signature business events (BE) conference – BE @ Penang – returns this Dec 7 and 8.
To be held at Setia Spice Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas, it is themed “BE Reinvents” in line with the current drive to make the industry more sustainable, inclusive and impactful.
The annual conference is a must-attend for anyone in the events, tourism and hospitality industry, as it is a platform for education and skill-sharing that equips one with the insights and tools to thrive globally.
“This year’s theme represents our collective vision to build a global community of business events professionals who recognise the crucial need for transformation for the future,” said PCEB chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran.
“We firmly believe that BE can be a powerful force for positive change.
“Taking into account the finite resources of our planet, it’s imperative that we reimagine the way we design and execute events, while re-evaluating the technology and resources we employ.”
Delegates participating in a session and (right) drumming workshop during BE @ Penang 2019.
BE @ Penang 2023 is the event’s 8th edition and co-organised by PCEB and Conference Partners, one of Malaysia’s leading professional conference organisers.
It is also supported by the Penang government.
Key speakers this year include Julius Solaris, widely recognised as the world’s most influential leader in event technology and BE.
Named “Meetings Industry Influencer of 2022”, by Meetings and Conventions Magazine, he has conducted research for over 3,000 events and interviewed more than 15,000 related professionals, making his groundbreaking insights crucial and enlightening.
Other notable names include World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur group managing director Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim and Malaysia Association of Sustainable Supply Chain and Innovation president Datin Lorela Chia.
The two-day programme includes sessions on sustainability, particularly on event waste and the best practices in organising sustainable events according to ISO 20121 standards.
Touching on diversity and inclusivity, a session titled “Breaking Barriers: Making Events and Travel Industry More Inclusive” will feature Malaysian author, artist and motivational speaker K. Aveena Devi, who was born with spina bifida, and blind undergraduate student and avid traveller Ernest Teoh.
PCEB also aspires to create a future generation of BE leaders through the provision of a unique Young Student Leader Grant.
This is open to youths pursuing degrees in events, tourism or hospitality and allows them to gain real-life experiences beyond the classroom.
Grant recipients enjoy all-access privileges to conference sub-programmes and sponsored hotel accommodation.
PCEB is a state bureau established in 2016 to develop the BE and meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry in Penang.
It aims to position the state as the preferred venue in the region for such activities, thanks to its Unesco-listed heritage charm, multicultural society, cutting-edge facilities and myriad attractions.
Those flying in with Malaysia Airlines and Firefly Airlines for the event can enjoy 20% off the base fare from now until Dec 7 with the promo codes “MHBEP20” for Malaysia Airlines (https://bit.ly/3FTg8xI) or “FYBEP20” for Firefly (https://bit.ly/3MwDL2Y).
For details or to register, visit https://beatpenang.com
