KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 — World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) group managing director, Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim, has been unanimously chosen as the inaugural chairman of the Convention and Exhibition (C&E) Member Advisory Council (MAC), World Trade Centres Association (WTCA), which is headquartered in New York, United States.
WTCKL said that Irmohizam’s appointment will be for a period of two years.
Previously, WTCA divided the C&E MAC into several regions – the Asia-Pacific; America; and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), WTCKL said in a statement today.
“Recently, all WTCA board members agreed to merge all MACs into one global group. The amalgamation will increase participation in business events, exhibitions and conventions from all WTCA members.
“It is hoped that it will also benefit the rest of the world to collaborate and diversify services such as the Business Events (BE) industry.
The Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) and BE industries were heavily impacted by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
It is estimated that the lockdowns (full and partial) and the delays in reopening the industry have cost Malaysia, in particular, more than RM27.5 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) losses. Furthermore, the Malaysian tourism industry suffered a loss in revenue of RM45 billion.
With the new merger, it is hoped that all WTCA members can work together to rejuvenate and re-elevate the industry in the post-pandemic period.
“It is a great honour not just to be the first Malaysian, but also the first Bumiputera to hold this position in chairing the global Convention and Exhibition industry. I sincerely hope that our country’s image can be enhanced and viewed positively by the world through more cooperation and collaboration amongst WTCA members, which now comprises 326 WTCs worldwide. In order to revive this industry, an open and inclusive approach by each member is necessary,” said Irmohizam in the same statement.
Meanwhile, Okay Basbug, of WTC Istanbul, has been elected as vice-chairman.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency