The Business Events industry has proven to be more than just events or tourism-based and can unlock the nation’s socioeconomic potential through strategic public-private partnerships. In the past decade, Malaysia hosted nearly 3,000 Business Events which attracted more than 2.3 million delegates and contributed RM18 billion in estimated economic impact.
Speaking at the Malaysia Business Events Awards (MBEA) organised by the Malaysian Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (MACEOS), Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, emphasised, “Business Events are not mere occasions on a calendar––they are catalysts of national progress. The Government of Malaysia recognises the Business Events industry not as a side player but as a strategic engine for inclusive, sustainable, and high-impact growth. This sector is central to our national economic narrative and global positioning.”
With Visit Malaysia 2026 around the corner, he believed that Business Events, with their potential to attract high-value travellers, would be instrumental in achieving the campaign targets of 35.6 million tourist arrivals, RM147 billion in total tourist receipts, and 16% contribution to GDP from the tourism sector.
He noted that the Budget 2025 and the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) had outlined investments in infrastructure modernisation, digital innovation, and international branding efforts to support this.
“We are taking concrete steps by streamlining visa facilitation, especially for high-frequency travellers, upgrading major airports and convention venues to meet global standards, and deepening inter-agency collaboration, especially between MACEOS, MOTAC and MITI to position Malaysia as the region’s premier B-Leisure or Business plus Leisure destination,” he said.
He called on MACEOS to step forward as nation-builders, saying: “We need your ideas, your platforms, your global connections to amplify Malaysia’s story, to nurture new talent, and to drive innovation that cements Malaysia’s status as a world-class hub for Business Events.”
Datuk Dr. M Gandhi, President of MACEOS, welcomed the opportunity to work closely with government ministries to step up Business Events as a key economic contributor.
He said that Business Events attract high-value, high-spending delegates, who typically spend three times more than leisure tourists, stay longer, and often return — not just as visitors, but as investors, collaborators, and ambassadors.
In addition, these events also foster knowledge transfer, innovation, and global partnerships. “Across the country, events showcase our capabilities—from Islamic finance to renewable energy, from medical specialisations to digital economy, from AI to green technology. These are not just events—they’re engines of development, conduits of knowledge,” he shared.
Events such as the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) have become known as a platform for connecting local manufacturers with global buyers, while the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) has successfully positioned Malaysia as a leader in the global halal economy.
He emphasised, “MACEOS is prepared to partner with the Government for Nation Building to recognise Business Events as Pemangkin Pembangunan Negara––Business Events as Catalyst for Nation Building.”
However, he cautioned that Malaysia could face an infrastructure bottleneck within the next five years, with major exhibitions like MIFF and ARCHIDEX already testing the limits of local infrastructure.
He shared that Malaysia’s largest convention centre, MITEC, was only about a third the size of Thailand’s biggest exhibition venue, and that neighbouring countries were already expanding their venue capacity by 2028.
“Without timely action in planning ahead, we risk losing out. We believe a public-private partnership (PPP) model in developing this infrastructure for the long-term needs is feasible with Government support,” he said.
The MBEA took place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and honoured a total of 86 recipients for their contributions to the Business Events industry. “For this third edition of MBEA, MACEOS collaborated with three respected industry associations–the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) and the Arts, Live Festivals and Events Association (ALIFE)–to realise a more inclusive and well-represented awards ceremony that reflected the rich and diverse ecosystem of Business Events in Malaysia,” said MBEA Organising Committee Co-Chairs Mr. Lee Mark and Mr. Jaggarao Simancha.
The 2025 edition received a record-breaking 104 submissions, the highest since MBEA’s inception in 2019. Winners were selected across 19 award categories and 39 sub-categories, with judging led by a distinguished panel of 28 industry experts, chaired by Amos Wong, a renowned veteran in the regional events landscape.
The awards not only celebrated excellence in convention organising, exhibition services and venue management, but also introduced new categories recognising excellence, such as:
- Exhibition Management Excellence
- Event Management Excellence
- Hotel with Meeting Facilities Excellence
- Incentive Event Excellence
- Live Event Excellence
- Event Technology Excellence
- Business Catalyst Excellence
- Stage Design Excellence
- University Programme (Student-Organised) Excellence
“These additions represent a new chapter in how we define success and innovation in the Malaysian Business Events space,” the co-chairs said.
MALAYSIA BUSINESS EVENTS AWARDS 2025 – RESULTS
- INCENTIVE EVENT EXCELLENCE
WINNER
- BITHARVEST GLOBAL LAUNCH CONVENTION & INCENTIVE TRIP
BY MICE ASIA SDN BHD
- UNIVERSITY PROGRAMME (STUDENT-ORGANISED) EXCELLENCE
WINNER
- HYPE-LAH CHARITY NIGHT
- BY TAYLOR’S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM AND EVENTS
MERIT
- SAKE SYMPHONY: A TASTING JOURNEY, PART OF THE JAPANESE WINE EXPERIENTIAL BRAND ACTIVATION
BY TAYLOR’S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM AND EVENTS
- HEX TALK 2024: FUTUREFEST (TRANSFORMING THE ENTERTAINMENT EVENT HORIZON: EMBRACING GLOBAL DYNAMICS)
BY TAYLOR’S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM AND EVENTS
- HOTEL WITH MEETING FACILITIES EXCELLENCE
WINNER
- M RESORT & HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR
MERIT
- SUTERA HARBOUR, KOTA KINABALU
- PULLMAN MIRI WATERFRONT, SARAWAK
- LIVE EVENT EXCELLENCE
WINNER
- EARTH SYMPHONY: GREEN CIRQUE FEST 2024
BY MILESTONE PRODUCTION SDN BHD
MERIT
- THE MUSIC RUN 2024
BY DOREMI SERVICES & RENTAL SDN BHD
- EVENT TECHNOLOGY EXCELLENCE
SUB-CATEGORY: EXHIBITION
WINNER
- METALTECH & AUTOMEX 2024
- BY INFORMA MARKETS MALAYSIA
MERIT
- MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE FAIR (MIFF) 2024
- BY INFORMA MARKETS MALAYSIA
SUB-CATEGORY: CONFERENCE
WINNER
- MIA INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTANTS CONFERENCE 2024
BY Y US SDN BHD (EVENESIS)
SUB-CATEGORY: EVENT
WINNER
- ASEAN TOURISM FORUM 2025 (ATF 2025)
BY Y US SDN BHD (EVENESIS)
MERIT
- LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF MALAYSIA’S PARTICIPATION IN EXPO 2025 OSAKA
BY DOREMI SERVICES & RENTAL SDN BHD
- EVENT EXCELLENCE
SUB-CATEGORY: B2B – CORPORATE EVENT
WINNER
- SC X SC FINTECH CONFERENCE 2024
BY ABOVE CREATIVE EVENTS (M) SDN BHD
MERIT
- PROTON E.MAS 7 GRAND LAUNCH
BY QUBE INTEGRATED MALAYSIA SDN BHD
- G MEDIA ICONIC NIGHT 2025
BY MEMOIRES EVENTS MANAGEMENT SDN BHD
SUB-CATEGORY: B2C – PUBLIC/SOCIAL EVENT
WINNER
- EARTH SYMPHONY – GREEN CIRQUE FEST 2024
BY MILESTONE PRODUCTION SDN BHD
- HOTLINK UNI LEGENDS MLBB TOURNAMENT
BY THE HOT SHOE SHOW & CO SDN BHD
- USANA LIVE ASIA PACIFIC CONVENTION 2024
BY PICO INTERNATIONAL (M) SDN BHD
- EVENT MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE
SUB-CATEGORY: B2B – CORPORATE EVENT
WINNER
- ABOVE CREATIVE EVENTS (M) SDN BHD
MERIT
- ANDERES FOURDY EVENTS SDN BHD
- INNOGEN SDN BHD
SUB-CATEGORY: B2C – PUBLIC/SOCIAL EVENT
WINNER
- AT EVENT QUEST SDN BHD
- MILESTONE PRODUCTION SDN BHD
MERIT
- CHILLI HOTSHOES ASIA SDN BHD
SUB-CATEGORY: B2G – GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT EVENT
WINNER
- CHILLI HOTSHOES ASIA SDN BHD
MERIT
- INNOGEN SDN BHD
- PURPOSE BUILT CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE EXCELLENCE
SUB-CATEGORY: 15,000SQM AND BELOW
WINNER
- BORNEO CONVENTION CENTRE KUCHING
MERIT
- PICCA CONVENTION CENTRE @ BUTTERWORTH ARENA
SUB-SUB-CATEGORY: 15,001SQM AND ABOVE
WINNER
- KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE
MERIT
- MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL TRADE & EXHIBITION CENTRE
- SETIA SPICE CONVENTION CENTRE
- SABAH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE
- SERVICE PROVIDER EXCELLENCE
WINNER
- INNOGEN SDN BHD
FOR PANASONIC AWARDING DINNER 2024
MERIT
- DOREMI SERVICES & RENTAL SDN BHD
FOR ELMINA LAKESIDE FESTIVAL
- MILESTONE PRODUCTION SDN BHD
FOR EARTH SYMPHONY: GREEN CIRQUE FEST 2024
- BOOTH DESIGN EXCELLENCE
SUB-CATEGORY: 36SQM & BELOW
WINNER
- INNOVATEX @ ARCHIDEX 2024 BY INNOGEN SDN BHD
MERIT
- SLB @ APGCE 2024 BY INNOGEN SDN BHD
- CLOT @ SNEAKERLAH 2024 BY ES EXHIBITION SERVICES SDN BHD
- VIETTEL @ DSA & NATSEC ASIA 2024 BY INNOGEN SDN BHD
SUB-CATEGORY: 37SQM – 72SQM
WINNER
- VIETTEL @ DSA & NATSEC ASIA 2024 BU INNOGEN SDN BHD
MERIT
- PANASONIC @ ISES 2024 BY INNOGEN SDN BHD
- CIMB @ GRADUAN ASPIRE 2024 BY INNOGEN SDN BHD
SUB-CATEGORY: 73SQM & ABOVE
WINNER
- PROTON @ KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY SHOW (KLIMS) 2024 BY QUBE INTEGRATED MALAYSIA SDN BHD
MERIT
- KOREA TOURISM ORGANISATION (KTO) @ MATTA FAIR 2024 BY ES EXHIBITION SERVICES SDN BHD
- SLB @ IPTC 2025 BY INNOGEN SDN BHD
SUB-CATEGORY: DOUBLE DECK
WINNER
- MALAYSIA AVIATION GROUP (MAG) @ MATTA FAIR (APR 2025) BY PICO INTERNATIONAL (M) SDN BHD
MERIT
- MALAYSIA AIRLINES @ MATTA FAIR – MARCH 2024 BY QUBE INTEGRATED MALAYSIA SDN BHD
- AIRLINES @ MATTA FAIR – SEPTEMBER 2024 BY QUBE INTEGRATED MALAYSIA SDN BHD
SUB-CATEGORY: 72SQM & BELOW HELD IN OVERSEAS
WINNER
- MYCEB @ IMEX, FRANKFURT
BY QUBE INTEGRATED MALAYSIA SDN BHD
- PAVILION DESIGN EXCELLENCE
WINNER
- MALAYSIA TIMBER COUNCIL – MALAYSIA PAVILION @ FURNITURE CHINA 2024
BY GLAXIS MESSE EXHIBITIONS SDN BHD
MERIT
- MDEC @ AGRIX 2024, BY INNOGEN SDN BHD
- TEEIA @ SMART NATION 2024, BY INNOGEN SDN BHD
- CONGRESS/CONFERENCE EXCELLENCE
SUB-CATEGORY: 500 DELEGATES & BELOW
WINNER
- 30TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SPINA BIFIDA AND HYDROCEPHALUS 2024
BY MEDICAL CONFERENCE PARTNERS
- MERIT
- ASEAN INVESTMENT CONFERENCE BY ASC AGENDA SURIA COMMUNICATION SDN BHD
SUB-CATEGORY: 501-1,000 DELEGATES
WINNER
- BE IN SABAH 2025 BY SABAH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE
SUB-CATEGORY: 1,001 DELEGATES & ABOVE
WINNER
- 21ST INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS FOR TROPICAL MEDICINE & MALARIA (ICTMM 2024)
BY MEDICAL CONFERENCE PARTNERS
- INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE (IPTC) BY SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS (SPE-ASIA PACIFIC M SDN BHD)
MERIT
- MYLIVE 2024 BY PP CONFERENCES SDN BHD
- NEW HOMEGROWN EVENT EXCELLENCE
SUB-CATEGORY: TRADE EXHIBITION
WINNER
- ASIA PACIFIC GREEN HYDROGEN CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION (APGH) 2024
- BY DSA EXHIBITIONS HOLDINGS SDN BHD
MERIT
- ENGINEER & MARVEX
BY C.I.S NETWORK SDN BHD
SUB-CATEGORY: CONSUMER EXHIBITION
WINNER
- KARNIVAL MALAYSIA 2024
BY PROPERTY HUNTER SDN BHD (PHGROUP)
- TRADE EXHIBITION EXCELLENCE
SUB-CATEGORY: 10,000SQM AND BELOW
WINNER
- BEAUTYEXPO & COSMOBEAUTÉ MALAYSIA 2024
BY INFORMA MARKETS MALAYSIA
MERIT
- ENGINEER & MARVEX 2024
BY C.I.S NETWORK SDN BHD
- MBAM ONEBUILD 2024
BY MBAM ONEBUILD SDN BHD
SUB-CATEGORIES: 10,001SQM – 20,000SQM
WINNER
- BUILDXPO MALAYSIA 2024
BY QUBE INTEGRATED MALAYSIA SDN BHD
MERIT
- AGRI MALAYSIA 2024
BY ONE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION SDN BHD
SUB-CATEGORY: 20,001SQM AND ABOVE
WINNER
- ARCHIDEX (THE 23RD INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE, INTERIROR DESIGN & BUILDING EXHIBITION 2024, MALAYSIA) BY C.I.S NETWORK SDN BHD
MERIT
- DEFENCE SERVICES ASIA (DSA) 2024 INCORPORATING NATIONAL SECURITY (NATSEC) ASIA 2024
BY DSA EXHIBITIONS HOLDINGS SDN BHD
- MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL HALAL SHOWCASE (MIHAS) 2024
BY QUBE INTEGRATED MALAYSIA SDN BHD
- CONSUMER EXHIBITION EXCELLENCE
SUB-CATEGORY: 5,000SQM AND BELOW
WINNER
- 22ND DEEPAVALI CARNIVAL 2024 BY ASC AGENDA SURIA COMMUNICATION SDN BHD
MERIT
- KARNIVAL MALAYSIA 2024
BY PROPERTY HUNTER SDN BHD (PHGROUP)
- PH EXPO 2024
BY PROPERTY HUNTER SDN BHD (PH GROUP)
SUB-CATEGORY: 5,001SQM – 10,000SQM
- BIGSABAH SALE 2024
BY SABAH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE
SUB-CATEGORY: 10,001SQM AND ABOVE
WINNER
- HOMEDEC (HOME DESIGN & INTERIOR EXHIBITION)
BY C.I.S NETWORK SDN BHD
MERIT
- MALAYSIA AUTOSHOW 2024
BY MOONMAN EVENTS SDN BHD
- EXHIBITION MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE
WINNER
- MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL HALAL SHOWCASE (MIHAS) 2024
BY QUBE INTEGRATED MALAYSIA SDN BHD
MERIT
- ENLIT ASIA 2024
BY PICO INTERNATIONAL (M) SDN BHD
- BUSINESS CATALYST EXCELLENCE
SUB-CATEGORY: ESG PRACTICES EXCELLENCE
WINNER
- ABOVE CREATIVE EVENTS (M) SDN BHD
MERIT
- SETIA CITY CONVENTION CENTRE
- ASIAEVENTS EXSIC SDN BHD
SUB-CATEGORY: PIONEERING TECHNOLOGY EXCELLENCE
WINNER
- DOREMI SERVICES & RENTAL SDN BHD
SUB-CATEGORY: COMMUNITY SERVICE EXCELLENCE
WINNER
- ABOVE CREATIVE EVENTS (M) SDN BHD
- STAGE DESIGN EXCELLENCE
WINNER
- ACER APAC PREDATOR LEAGUE 2025
BY QUBE INTEGRATED MALAYSIA SDN BHD
MERIT
- ASEAN INVESTMENT CONFERENCE 2025
BY ASC AGENDA SURIA COMMUNICATION SDN BHD
- SELANGOR AVIATION SHOW (SAS) 2024
BY INNOGEN SDN BHD
