Photo Caption: (second from left ) Philip Ho Kian Jim(IPC2016 Organizing Committee), Dr Lulie Melling, Dato’ Dr James Dawos Mamit, Mrs Jill Henry, Christina Wendt(Director of Sales, Sarawak Convention Bureau)

Kuching, Sarawak has secured the hosting of the 15th International Peat Congress in 2016 (IPC2016) after Malaysia won the bid in Jyvaskyla, Finland on 16th June 2010. This five-day event, scheduled for August 2016 is expected to generate revenue of over RM2.2 million for the local hospitality and tourism sector with some 700 national and international delegates expected to attend.

The winning bid is a credit to the collaborative efforts of the Malaysian Peat Society (MPS) and the Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB). 

Dato James Dawos Mamit, President of Malaysian Peat Society and Chairman of IPC2016 commented, “We are very pleased to win this bid for Malaysia since this is the first time for this prestigious convention to be held outside Europe and North America. In securing this conference so early, we can now draw on a wide international network to assist in the development and sustainability management of peat land and agricultural crops.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Lulie Meling, Treasurer of Malaysian Peat Society and Congress General of IPC2016 added, “Travelling to Finland to bid for this conference was a truly memorable experience. We put so much effort into winning the bid together with SCB who has been there for us from the very early stage of the bidding process.”

“We presented to our colleagues in Finland the uniqueness of Sarawak, our amazing peat land and the credibility and strengths of the Malaysian Peat Society. On behalf of the committee, I am honored that the international decision makers from around the globe has accepted Malaysia’s bid especially as we faced such strong competition from our colleagues in Latvia” She added.

Mrs. Jill Henry, CEO of the Sarawak Convention Bureau added, “Winning this prestigious event will add to the credibility of Sarawak as a preferred MICE destination and also as a new hub for scientists and professional researchers to come together. The Bureau is very thrilled with this bid win and will continue to assist other organisations that are prepared to bid nationally and internationally.”

For the Malaysian Peat Society and committees, organising a conference is nothing new. Since 2006, this is their third conference working with Sarawak Convention Bureau in their bidding and marketing. The committee has been instrumental in the success of the bid, and this will help secure more business meetings and conferences to Sarawak.