The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) recently organised a seminar for Malaysia-based association executives who are considering inviting their international counterpart organisations to hold their international meetings in Malaysia.

Titled “Managing the Financial Aspects,” the half-day seminar featured talks and presentations by local and international association congress organisers on the necessary contracts, division of responsibilities and financial arrangements required between the local host committee, the international headquarters and the professional conference organiser when running international congresses.

In her welcome address, the Centre’s director of marketing & sales, Jenny Salsbury said that “the seminar is part of a series which began in 2005 designed to help make locally based organisations aware of the professional support and in-kind assistance that is available to organisations that are considering bidding for their counterpart international events”.

In conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007, the morning’s programme kicked off with a “Welcome to Visit Malaysia Year” introduction and video presentation by Encik Zulkefli Sharif, Director of the Convention Division, Tourism Malaysia.
This was followed by a session titled “The sponsorship, the Headquarters and the Win-Win” by presenters Dr Abdul Aziz Yahya, Chairman of the 18th FIGO* Organising Committee and President of the Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Malaysia (OGSM), Ms Stephanie de La Rochefoucauld, Executive Director of the International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO), France, and Ms Inge Garofani, AMM, Division Manager - Conference & Exhibition Management, Tour Hosts Pty Ltd, Australia.

In the second session – Achieving Goals and Objectives for all – Dr Yeap Swan Sim, President of the Malaysian Society of Rheumatology (MSR) outlined some of the Malaysian projects and campaigns that were funded by and gained benefit from hosting the 12th APLAR* World Congress held in Kuala Lumpur 1-5 August 2006.

Giving the international headquarters’ perspective when working with the local host organisation. Mr Markku Willikka, FIG Director of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), Copenhagen, spoke on the importance of identifying goals and objectives and the need to incorporate all interests in order to achieve a successful outcome for all.

Summing up the seminar and the opportunities in Malaysia, Ms Yap Shook Fung, Director of Console Communications Sdn Bhd gave an overview of several successful Malaysian case studies and the many ways of getting things done for the mutual benefit of all parties involved.

Extending her thanks and congratulations to the Centre for organising the seminar, Ms Yap said that “such occasions to share and exchange information and experiences will go a long way towards helping local associations; especially during the planning stages, be aware of the pitfalls when organising international congresses and events, especially in crucial areas such as contracts, responsibilities and financial arrangements”.