AFECA welcomes newly elected president from Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia BE (Business Events) industry saw one of its personality being elected into a world federation representing the exhibitions and conventions industry in Asia – Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA).

The AFECA is one of the four global conference and exhibition umbrella bodies, alongside The Global Association of Exhibition Industry, IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events (UFI) and International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

In a press statement, it said Datuk Vincent Lim will helm AFECA for a twoyear term, in office from 2020 to 2022. He was sworn-in during the 15th AFECA Annual General Meeting that was held virtually for the first time in its history.

Lim replaces immediate past president, Walter Yeh who is also the ex-president of Taiwan External Trade Development Council and Taiwan Exhibition and Conference Association (TECA).

Lim will be working alongside the newly elected Board Members who are knowledgeable and experienced BE personalities from the various regional countries.

Lim commented: “Business events are a catalyst that has been proven time and again to generate tremendous socioeconomic growth and a needed income to boost our local economy and provide thousands of jobs. 90 per cent of business events have been cancelled or postponed this year and that alone has made up to RM2.25 billion in economic losses.”

His appointment comes during the most challenging period faced by AFECA members as the BE industry has been halted due to the pandemic. A 30-year veteran in the Business Events industry and Immediate Past President of the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS), Lim has been instrumental in raising the concerns of the local BE industry since the pandemic when he was onboard as the MACEOS president.

At the home front, recently the Malaysian Business Events industry also known as meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) was further dealt with a blow when Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) – the newest and biggest purpose-built exhibition hall in the country announced its temporary closure due to the pandemic. It is unfortunate that it became a major negative impact to the BE industry locally and internationally.

“Currently, the government have not allowed the BE industry to open therefore, we cannot emphasise how urgent this need is, given that massive losses have been recorded since March,” he added.

Beyond his service at AFECA and MACEOS, Lim also shares an extensive professional experience in the industry as the founder and president to his own company – C.I.S Network Sdn Bhd.