FUTURE HOST: Kirby is seen at the MAHB booth during the ACE. MAHB will be hosting ACE event next year in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama photo
CITY OF EKURHULENI, South Africa: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and Kuala Lumpur city are geared up and ready to host the Airports Cities World Conference and Exhibition (ACE) 2014.
MAHB corporate commincations general manager Nik Anis Nik Zakaria said the ACE event was a golden opportunity to share experiences, exchange invaluable knowledge and expertise in so many relevant topics about airport cities development.
“It has been a great opportunity and experience for Malaysia Airports in ACE 2013 as we ramp up on the development of KLIA Aeropolis ourselves,” she said during the farewell reception at the ACE 2013 hosted by MAHB.
MAHB, according to Nik Anis, had long envisioned a thriving and affluent airport city to be developed at KLIA.
“Malaysia’s strategic location at the heart of Asia has given it the advantage to be the centre of regional networks.
“Because of this, KLIA Aeropolis has the optimal potential to be a top-class investment and tourism attraction as it leverages Malaysia’s unique position as a regional leader in retail, business and tourism destinations,” she said.
Hosting ACE 2014, she said, presented an opportune moment to showcase the progress on plans and developments with the delegates.
“We hope that a global premier event such as ACE can be the ideal platform for Malaysia Airports, and by extension, the city of Kuala Lumpur, to gain insights from the world’s most experienced and talented airport city professionals, industry experts and business leaders,” Nik Anis said.
She said, ACE 2014, which would also coincide with Visit Malaysia Year 2014, would be held at about the same time as the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang Circuit, located only a few kilometres away from KLIA.
“There will be a lot of exciting activities in store for the delegates with these two major events going on next year – one of which could be an exclusive race track experience in conjunction with the Formula 1 race,” she said.
Meanwhile, Alex Kirby, executive vice president of Airport Cities said ACE 2014, scheduled from March 31 to April 2, would organise its excellence award.
“There will be six awards, namely Best Airport City Leader, Best Airport City Design, Best Airport City Commercial Development, Best Airport City Accessibility Planning, Best Airport City Non-Aeronautical Revenue Mix and Airport City Newcomers,” he said.
In addition, he said there would also be an award for the Airport City Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award for those individuals who have contributed the most to airport city development.
The farewell reception during the ACE 2013 was graced by the executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Councillor Mondli Gungubele.
It was attended by delegates of ACE 2013 and representatives from the Embassy of Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) in South Africa. — Bernama