An electrifying convergence of minds and ideas unfolded as Malaysia hosted the second Asia Convention Alliance Association Forum (ACAAF) at the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. This event, a key highlight of Malaysia Business Events Week (MBEW), became the epicentre of dynamic discussions and groundbreaking innovations.
Under the theme “Business Events and Technology with Sustainability,” ACAAF 2024 united 100 influential attendees from across Asia to explore sustainable innovations. This gathering served as a catalyst for transformative ideas and collaborative breakthroughs.
The forum featured an impressive lineup of VIPs and industry leaders from Asia Convention Alliance (ACA) member countries, including the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Thailand Incentive & Convention Association (TICA), the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), and the Seoul Tourism Organisation (STO). The event included Expert Talk sessions presented by STO, TAITRA, and TCEB, showcasing how technology enhances meeting experiences at the intersection of sustainability with Chris S. Na, CEO of Chris & Partners; the business events and technology with sustainability in the APAC region with Chin-Kun Wang, Distinguished Professor & Former President of Chung Shan Medical University; and innovative approaches to sustainable gastronomy through local sourcing with Prof. (Emeritus) Pavinee Chinachoti, Chair of the Food Innovation and Regulation Network (FIRN).
ACAAF 2024 set a new benchmark in the business events sector by weaving a sustainable network that united the Asia Convention Alliance with convention stakeholders. The event emphasised innovative sustainability practices, aiming to revolutionise the industry’s environmental impact.
Following the success of the inaugural forum in Thailand, hosted by TCEB and TICA, Malaysia proudly carried the torch forward. “We are thrilled to host ACAAF 2024 in Malaysia,” said Mohammad Isa Abdul Halim, Director, Meeting & Support Incentives of the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB). “This forum represents a collective journey to exchange best practices and share inspiring success stories, aimed at creating a profound and lasting impact on Asia’s convention landscape through sustainability and technology.”
As an annual event with a rotating host destination among the Asia Convention Alliance’s founding members—TCEB and TICA in 2023, MyCEB in 2024, STO in 2025, and TAITRA in 2026—ACAAF offers a unique platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, forge new partnerships, and explore cutting-edge innovations.
ACAAF 2024 is believed to have driven significant benefits for Malaysia’s business events industry by fostering collaboration and innovation, further reinforcing the nation’s status as a premier business events destination in Asia.
