THE state government, through the Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), successfully hosted a record-breaking 3,391 events last year, achieving a staggering RM1.91 billion in estimated economic impact (EEI).
In 2025, Penang hosted a total of 3,391 business events, marking a 64.7% increase compared to 2,059 events in 2024. The number of delegates surged to 451,198, up 47.8% from the previous year, while total room nights reached 824,505, representing a 47.6% growth.
These achievements collectively contributed to an estimated EEl of RM1.91 billion.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said these results demonstrate that business events are not only a significant economic driver for Penang but also a key contributor to the state’s long-term vision under Penang 2030.
“There is strong potential for further growth in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and marine-related industries.
“These emerging and strategic sectors present new opportunities to attract high-value business events that are closely aligned with Penang’s long-term economic priorities,” Wong said in his speech during the PCEB Business Events Penang 2025 Annual Review at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC) this evening.
Also present were Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) general manager Datin Bharathi Suppiah, PCEB chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran and PCEB director Datuk Khoo Boo Lim.
Wong added that advancing Penang’s economic growth through corporate and professional events is never the work of one organisation alone.
“It is a truly collaborative effort, involving the state government, industry stakeholders, tourism players, and the wider business events community.
“Beyond the numbers, I am particularly encouraged by the breadth and depth of sectoral diversity represented.
“The events hosted spanned fields such as science, engineering, healthcare, sports, legal, languages, and literature.
“This diversity reflects Penang’s maturity as the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination, with the capability and flexibility to support a wide spectrum of professional and knowledge-driven events,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ashwin highlighted the bureau’s strategic approach.
“At PCEB, we turn insight and foresight into action. By using data, market intelligence, and global best practices, we refine our strategies to help partners transform opportunities into real outcomes and measurable impact across Penang’s business events ecosystem,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat