A Young Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) is gaining a sure-footing, tabling a proposal to the government for an undisclosed, "much larger" funding and brushing aside questions about its "neutrality". Operational in August 2009, the bureau said it supported 15 bids last year representing 16,150 delegates and RM147 million (US$44 million) spending. MyCEB's budget looks a pittance at RM10 million per financial year currently. It is angling for a "much larger" funding and one that covers three years instead of one in order to compete in international association meetings bidding.
The bureau is proving its worth with one of its biggest catches this year being the 2,500-pax Federation of International Surveyors International Congress 2014. To gain endorsement as a central bureau, it is also out to show it is neutral and supports all of Malaysia's major convention states - Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi and Sarawak, which has its own convention bureau. A new corporate logo has been unveiled and the bureau's staff strength has been budgeted to grow from five now to over 20 by mid-year. A new office in the heart of Kuala Lumpur city centre further signals MyCEB is here to stay.
-TTG Asia.
Until now MyCEB yet to operate independtly, still sharing Tourism Malaysia office space, and utilising Tourism Malaysia officers. The new intake of new staff also still a big question whether they have the experiences and able to perform the MyCEB works, with the understanding that Tourism Malaysia officers seconded will be returning back to Tourism Malaysia by October this year.
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