MACEOS LAUNCHES 9-YEAR ROADMAP TO STRENGTHEN THE BUSINESS EVENTS INDUSTRY

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) launched the MACEOS Strategic Roadmap 2022-2030 during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 24 May 2022, a timely move to strengthen the Business Events (BE) industry in line with the reopening of travel borders to Malaysia on 1 April 2022.

The MACEOS Strategic Roadmap 2022-2030 documents the actions and strategies that would guide the industry's recovery, resilience and sustainability over nine years. It identified the BE industry's opportunities, challenges, and potential that would facilitate recovery, economic growth, and nation-building.

Addressing the members of MACEOS at the AGM held at MITEC, MACEOS President, Mr. Francis Teo, said that the industry needed a new narrative and branding to strongly convey its key role as an economic enabler and nation builder.

"We can no longer identify ourselves merely as event organisers, venue operators, or logistics providers. Instead, we must be very clear about the role of BE in driving innovation, product development, knowledge transfer, network creation, accelerating industry impact and economic growth. These are the narratives we need to drive home again," he said.

Teo also mentioned the importance of using data to strengthen the value of business events. "Utilising this data to make better events and content will deliver great value to clients and strengthen our position as an invaluable part of the economy," he shared.

The roadmap outlined its mission as follows:

• To position MACEOS as an industry consultant
• To advocate BE economy as a key industry contributor towards the national economy
• To encourage the continued growth of the BE community
• To be the BE education hub in ASEAN

Emphasising innovation, development, education and advocacy, the roadmap shared the strategies, actions and key performance indicators for industry players to uphold and implement.

The Business Events industry in Malaysia was growing well pre-pandemic, with 1,138 business events organised in 2019, attracting over 540,000 international business travellers to Malaysia. It was estimated to contribute RM3.9 billion in direct expenditure and RM9.2 billion in economic impact to the country.

However, it was among the worst-hit industries during the pandemic, with severe restrictions on gathering and events disabling its activities. A survey conducted by MACEOS during the pandemic showed a 90% loss of business revenue in the Business Events economy, with close to 35,000 industry workforce affected.

Despite the challenges, MACEOS continued to advocate the role of Business Events in economic recovery.

Teo said: "Our focus last year was to deepen engagement with the government, advocate the relevance of BE to economic recovery, and support industry members through the trying times."

MACEOS' efforts included engaging with government authorities to navigate the pandemic challenges while supporting industry players; participating in various working committee groups to champion the sustainability of BE and its workforce; offering event venues as mega vaccination centres; developing a Business Events safety standards; and collaborating with other tourism industry associations to develop safety standards for the larger tourism and hospitality industry, called Travel Safe Alliance Malaysian (TSAM).

Teo shared that the reopening of global borders was an opportunity for industry players to jump to action and position themselves strongly in the economy.

"It is my greatest hope that the launching of the MACEOS Strategic Roadmap 2022-2030 today will chart a new chapter for BE industry stakeholders. Let it guide us to move forward with purpose and greater awareness of the power of Business Events. Let it be the voice of industry as we make ourselves be heard as the drivers of entrepreneurship, innovation, economic growth and nation-building."

MACEOS held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2022 on 24 May 2022, at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

MACEOS Executive Committee 2022/2024 was elected at the 32^nd AGM:

ABOUT MACEOS - THE VOICE OF MALAYSIA'S BUSINESS EVENTS INDUSTRY
PERSATUAN PENGANJUR DAN PEMBEKAL PERSIDANGAN DAN PAMERAN MALAYSIA

MACEOS was established in 1990 to be the voice for the business events industry in Malaysia. We advocate the positioning of business events as a key economic driver that is vital to a nation's economy.

Business events in Malaysia is a sizable economic contributor, providing RM3.9 billion direct revenue to businesses in Malaysia, and creates an economic impact of at least RM9.2 billion (figures from 2019). It is also an important contributor in bringing in foreign investment into the country creating jobs for our nation.

The value-creation actualised by business events activities spreads across multiple sectors and cascades down to an entire ecosystem spanning venue operators, logistics, suppliers, retail, tourism, and more. Our members are professional exhibition and conference organisers, venue providers, destination management, and event management companies as well as other affiliated members including stand contractors, AV, logistics, airlines, travel & tours and more.

PR Newswire is the official news distribution partner of MACEOS.