LET’S TALK BUSINESS: Cannon (second right) with (from left) Tan, D’arcy and Choo at the forum.
KUCHING: Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) is taking nine foreign and local association clients and media members on a familiarisation trip (FAM) to promote the state as a prominent business event destination.
The four-day FAM, supported by CPH Travel Agencies, Events Horizon Management, Sarawak Tourism Board, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) and Pullman Kuching, aims to introduce incentive programmes and meeting facilities here.
Ending June 30, it is also held in connection with the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) and Malaysia MICE Journalism Award (MMJA).
A forum titled ‘Behind the scenes: What makes great business events in Sarawak?’ was held at BCCK yesterday to provide an in-depth look at business events industry, with a focus on the city’s development.
Forum moderator Mike Cannon, who is also SCB managing director, said SCB would adhere to its aim of selling Sarawak as a key destination in Malaysia.
He hoped participants of the FAM would be able help create awareness and propel the state’s reputation as a competitive business events destination globally.
The nine participants will be taken on site visits that include The Junk, Sarawak Tourism Complex, Sarawak Cultural Village, BCCK, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and Pullman Kuching.
Established in 2006, SCB is a non-profit company that aims to bring Sarawak to the forefront as a competitive destination for international meetings. It is a member of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
Last year, the bureau supported 45 convention bids representing 19,688 delegates, and 66,945 delegate days, which contributed an estimated direct delegate expenditure of RM39.9 million to the state.
Meanwhile, the MMJA is open to journalists and writers who are permanently or contractually employed by print, electronic and online media organisations in Malaysia.
Full-time journalists working for wire agencies are also eligible to participate by virtue of their role as news providers to media organisations in the country.
For more information, visit www.mmjaward.com or email to: [email protected].
Among those present were BCCK chief executive officer Paul D’arcy, Pullman Kuching general manager Eric Tan and CPH Travel Agencies director of operations Oscar Choo.