New Maceos cert programme to elevate business events industry

KU ALA LUMP UR: The Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (Maceos) has launched a new Congress Certification Programme (CCP) for the business events industry.

The CCP is part of a series of Maceos newly developed professional education programme to be launched this year. The other programmes in the pipeline are the Exhibition Management Programme (EMP) and Total Event Management (TEM).

This is in line with Maceos strategic plans to build the capacity of the Business Events industry supply chain and raise the professionalism of the industry in Malaysia.

“As the peak industry association, Maceos has been spearheading the role to strengthen the education and training programme to build and create a pool of talents for Business Events industry. By building the supply of workforce, it will then help to attract more business events effectively. This will sustainably increase Malaysia's business events market share and contributes to the economic growth,” said Datuk Vincent Lim, president of Maceos.

The 3 days intensive training programme aims to equip conference and meeting planners to better understand the tools and processes required in executing a successful conference.

According to Winnee Lim, Chairperson for Maceos Education & Training committee, the CCP is accredited by the Events Industry Council (EIC) and carries 14.5 Continuing Education (CE) credits.

“This will enable participants to apply for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential,” she added.

“We aim to train about 300 participants by 2020 under the three new programmes.”

With the increased number of events held in Malaysia, the country is set to become one of the leading destinations for business events (meetings, incentive travel, convention and exhibitions) in the region.

Based on the ‘2018 Global Economic Significance of Business Events' report by the Event Industry Council (EIC), business events is one of the fastest growing industries in the world.

According to the study, 2017 saw global sales of US$2.5 trillion business sales engaging in 26 million jobs and contributing USD1.5 trillion contribution to global GDP. Asia was the largest region in terms of business event participants representing nearly one-third of 1.5 billion total worldwide.