Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1116820
23 MAY-JUN 2019 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM WORDS NATALIE JOY LEE Elevating The Conventional Neighbourhood It used to be that top convention centres would edge out competitors with buzzwords like "state-of-the-art technology", "strong city connectivity and infrastructure", "key networking opportunities and exhibitors", as well as 'intuitive events support'. But with the rise of "bleisure" in recent times, and trends such as the need for more engagement, exibility and immersive experiences into the local scene, business planners are increasingly looking at a convention centre's address and how attendee-centric its district is. Here are eight popular choices to get event planners started. Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre. Malaysia's capital enjoys direct air access to major cities worldwide, including the Kuala Lumpur–Singapore route — the busiest international route with 30,187 annual ights. MITEC is also the third largest venue in Southeast Asia, allowing them to push for the "mega-exhibition" market, dened as exhibitions with over 100,000 visitors and conferences/ conventions with over 20,000 delegates. "MITEC's vast and dynamic layout gives one freedom to create and stage events of all types and magnitude. With the increasing need to provide unforgettable meeting experiences and clients' ever readiness to explore the out- of-the-norm, a trend of holding events outside the conference halls or ballroom is surfacing," said Gunther Beissel, CEO of MITEC. Furthermore, with 12,530sqm of pillar-less space on one level, 24-hour service ramps that reach all venues and Malaysia's very rst venue to support heavy machinery and vehicles, MITEC has succesfully hosted mega events including the UFI 2018 Welcome Reception and Semicon SEA. With the recent RM261.2 million (US$63 million) deal with United Business Media (M) Sdn Bhd (UBM Malaysia), the venue will host four UBM events until 2023, as well as biennial events that will end in 2028. Internationally, MITEC has inked deals with China's Guangdong Tanzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center, as well as Thailand's Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre. MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL TRADE & EXHIBITION CENTRE | MITEC