Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau makes inroads in India

Second virtual roadshow from 24-28 January set to welcome more than 500 industry leaders, and host gala dinners in four major Indian cities.

The 5th Annual Penang Roadshow to India was held virtually for a second round since 2021.
The 5th Annual Penang Roadshow to India was held virtually for a second round since 2021. Photo Credit: Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau

The Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) is in the midst of its 5th Annual Penang Roadshow to India — held virtually for a second round since 2021 — happening from 24-28 January across four major Indian cities.

PCEB's first virtual roadshow to India early last year attracted more than 400 buyers and trade visitors registering from various travel trade sectors in India, including business events, leisure travel, weddings, team building events and filming.

This year, the B2B show has a total of 24 registered exhibitors from Malaysia and will be welcoming more than 500 buyers and trade visitors in total, coming from Kochi, Chennai, New Delhi and Mumbai.

To build engagement, PCEB ran educational forums virtually in the lead up to the actual event day, and will also be hosting in-person Penang Night Gala Dinners on the last day for attendees across the four cities.

Industry leaders gathered to discuss updates prior to the virtual roadshow.
Industry leaders gathered to discuss updates prior to the virtual roadshow.

This event comes after PCEB successfully hosted the BE @ Penang in December 2021 — the city's first hybrid business conference following the resumption of interstate travel and domestic tourism in Malaysia last October.

In attendance at the virtual roadshow to India, Penang State Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy, Yeoh Soon Hin said that "[Penang's] cases have reduced now and the authorities always conduct regular patrols and monitoring in public areas to ensure the public complies with standard operating procedures (SOP)".

Ashwin Gunasekeran, CEO of PCEB added that “our tourism operating sectors such as hotels, convention centres and attraction sites are fully equipped with strict SOP to welcome the people".

Gunasekeran also noted the bureau's ‘Enhanced Privilege Penang 2021-2023’ support programme that can be tailored for the Indian market as it caters to both digital and physical events.