An Insight into Malaysia Major Events – Tony Nagamaiah

What is Malaysia Major Events (when was established, here who are the organizers, members, supporters, where do finances come from)?

Malaysia Major Events is a division of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia. We were established in 2011 as an entry point project under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) to facilitate major events that contribute to the growth of Malaysia’s economy.

Where do finances come from?

Malaysia Major Events is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia.

What is the main aim of Malaysia Major Events?

Malaysia Major Events aims to facilitate major events that contribute to Malaysia’s economic growth. We focus on identifying and supporting major event bids for sports, arts, lifestyle, and entertainment events. We also assist home grown and home hosted events that strengthen Malaysia’s global appeal as an international avenue for major events.

Bringing major events into the country is huge in the national agenda as this generates huge revenues, brings in talents and creates job opportunities.

Please tell about yourself. How your previous experience has helped you in your role at MME?

I am grateful that my regional experience of over 15 years prepared me for the task of setting up Malaysia Major Events (then known as International Events Unit). My previous roles included business development, media communications, bidding, sponsorship and event management in both national and international markets.

Strategy, connections of Malaysia Major Events?

We work together with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia and Tourism Malaysia’s 44 offices worldwide to promote major events and attract more tourists into the country. We also work with a wide network of local and international promoters and organisers to bring in international acts and to smoothly facilitate stage production, ticket sales and local activation.

Are there any KPIs for MME?

We aim to achieve greater milestones in growing Malaysia as the destination of choice for major events within the Asia Pacific region.

Our vision is that through major events, Malaysia Major Events will help contribute USD 0.134 billion in Gross National Income (GNI) and create 8,000 temporary jobs to the nation by 2020.

We are very proud of MME’s achievements so far: 19 events have been secured from 2012 to 2014 targeted to boost the number of spectators to 323,680 with a target of over RM400mil in tourist expenditure. In 2012 alone, Malaysia has managed to attract USD 308million in tourist receipts from tourists visiting Malaysia for major sports, art, lifestyle and entertainment events.

Moving forward, Malaysia Major Events will further step up efforts to bid and secure international events to be hosted in Malaysia.

Who do you consider to be the competitors of MME globally?

Major events specialists of other host countries.

What are the benefits of hosting sport events in Malaysia?

With the availability of fully equipped and sophisticated sports facilities and infrastructures, Malaysia is now experienced and has gained wide expertise in organising and hosting various types of sporting events.

In Malaysia, we aim to make a sports event a complete travel experience. We are a country with so much to see, do and experience: beautiful nature, vibrant city life, great food, sporting events, music festivals, warm and hospitable people.

It’s not just about the event but also the festivity surrounding it – offering athletes, sports spectators and sports enthusiasts a truly unique experience that goes with their love for sports.

Regarding tourism and prices in Malaysia, what is the situation now and what can we expect in future?

Malaysia is a multi-awarded tourist destination – claiming accolades including Most Peaceful Country in Southeast Asia, 9th Most Visited Country in the World, Top 10 Friendliest Countries in the World and the World’s 4th Best Shopping Destination.

In terms of pricing, Malaysia was named by the World Economic Forum as the 3rd Most Price Competitive in the World. We offer a wide range of accommodation, transportation and food options catering to all kinds of budgets.

---

Tony Nagamaiah joined the International Events Unit (IEU) of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) in July 2011. He was responsible for setting up the International Events Unit (IEU), a new unit which was formed in January 2011 as part of Malaysia Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) Entry Point Project (EPP).

Tony is now leading Malaysia Major Events purely to focus on identifying and supporting international event bids such as sports, arts, lifestyle and entertainment events. Apart from this, Tony is also responsible for identifying, supporting and marketing home grown events into achieving international stature.

Tony brings over 15 years of regional experience, including business development, media communications, bidding, sponsorship, and event management in both national and international markets. His experience includes senior management positions with Hill & Knowlton, PIKOM, The National ICT Agency of Malaysia and Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific.

Tony graduated with a Bsc.BA (Hons.) in Finance and Management from Hawaii Pacific University, USA. He was also listed on the National Dean’s List for academic excellence.

He is a frequent speaker at major events conferences and summits in the region and often quoted by the regional media as a thought leader in the industry.

{jcomments on}