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6 | MALAYSIA MALAYSIA PENANG: LEGACIES KEEPER, FORWARD THINKER Only in Penang can one pop into cultural temples, café hop, conquer nature trails, catch a beach sunset and visit a bustling night market on the same day. The oldest of Malaysia's British Straits settlements - endorsed by UNESCO as a World Heritage City – is teeming with rich heritage in every corner; yet a fresh breath of modernity shines in the form of boutique hotels, hipster coffee joints and its status as a world-class medical, engineering and life sciences hub. Together, old and new coexist to leave business event planners enthralled by this "Pearl of the Orient". Penang hosted 233 events in 2018, with 2020 set to welcome even more international meets – including the World Congress on Information Technology that will host 4,000 delegates from 100 countries. The venue of choice is Setia SPICE Convention Centre, the world's first hybrid solar-powered building. It offers business event planners a massive 10,000-seat arena, aquatic and sports centres, plus a lifestyle and retail village (Setia SPICE Canopy) all rolled into one. Alternatively, the Straits Quay Convention Centre (SQCC) accommodates 2,000 delegates while offering breathtaking sea views. In the pipeline for 2023 is the Penang Waterfront Exhibition and Convention Centre. Heritage buildings, such as the 1786-built Fort Cornwallis, is now a perfect venue for events of about 60 guests. There's also The Majestic Theatre built in 1929, a versatile contemporary 26,000sqm venue. For a unique setting, Khoo Kongsi's grand Chinese clan compound accommodates 800. Or try Hin Bus Depot, now a creative space that is perfect for 1,500 guests, cocktail style. Adding to the city's allure is Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau's (PCEB) Penang 2020: BE Unfiltered campaign, which offers planners support and grants worth up to MYR92.3 million. MEET Lining Batu Ferringhi's beachfront are international hotel brands like Hard Rock, PARKROYAL, Rasa Sayang by Shangri-La. Downtown Penang offers more options including brands such as The Wembley Hotel – A St Giles Hotel and Jen Hotel, hipster boutique favourites such as Muntri Mews, as well as luxury hotels built on heritage grounds, like the Eastern & Oriental Hotel. For a taste of Peranakan heritage, book a stay at Cheong Fatt Tze - The Blue Mansion, a boutique hotel restored from its 19th century past. There are over 3,000 rooms located within a 3km radius of the Setia SPICE Convention Centre, including Hotel Equatorial Penang, Eastin Hotel Penang, and Olive Tree Hotel Penang. The Amari Hotel Penang will be completed by 2020, with the 453-key tower conveniently linked to SPICE. STAY FAST FACTS Penang offers over 40 properties ranging from 4-star to 5-star hotels to luxury resorts with meeting facilities. On Dec 5-6, 2019, the inaugural ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) Asia Pacific Summit 2019 will be held in Penang. It takes 50 minutes from Kuala Lumpur by flight to Penang International Airport, which is directly assessible from Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, as well as major Middle Eastern and European cities.