AFECA launches AEC+ Expo in Kuala Lumpur

The Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA) is partnering the Malaysia Association of Convention and Exhibition Organiser and Suppliers (MACEOS) to jointly launch AEC (ASEAN Economic Community)+ Expo 2015 in Kuala Lumpur from November 11 to 13.

Edward Liu, immediate-past president of AFECA, which marks its 10^th anniversary this year, said AEC+ Expo is the first major AFECA event in a decade.

Supported by Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, the event will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

It will comprise a one-and-half day conference and an exhibition, and be the launchpad of the inaugural AFECA awards to honour those who have contributed to the success of MICE in Asia.

Liu said Kuala Lumpur was chosen to host the event as Malaysia is the 2015 ASEAN chair and the new event takes place one week before the 27^th ASEAN Summit and related summits in the capital.

The AEC is expected to contribute to freer flow of goods, services and people in ASEAN and the integration framework to remove economic obstacles will be completed on December 21.

Malaysia’s Fairs & Events Management is managing the MICE-focused event and Jonathan Kan, CEO, and the event’s project director, said exhibitors from the 10 ASEAN countries as well as Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China and India are expected to participate.

Kan, immediate-past MACEOS president, added negotiations are under way with Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia to provide international and regional access to the event.

Liu said: “The event will give AFECA the opportunity to dialogue with the young and to invite hosted buyers."

“For example, we are talking to IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events) to bring a number of US event organisers to AEC+ Expo,” he noted.

-TTG Asia.