V-Malaysia 2019 Gala Night
Speech by the Chief Minister of Penang
YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow for V-Malaysia 2019 Gala Night
On 13 Sept 2019
SPICE, Penang
Ladies and gentlemen,
What an incredible evening! I am thankful for the opportunity to stand before you tonight and officially welcome you all to the beautiful city of Penang – my home, and your home, too, for the next five days.
But first, allow me to acknowledge some very special people in the audience, starting with the esteemed Founders of QNET Dato’ Sri Vijay Eswaran and Mr. Joseph Bismark, Tan Sri Tan Sirs, Dato-Dato and honoured guests who flew-in especially for this week-long celebration. And lastly, the 10,000 entrepreneurs in the audience, whose energy and motivation reverberate around the halls of SPICE Arena.
When I was invited to speak here tonight, I thought I’d find out more about this event called V-Convention and I was impressed when I learned that this is already the 8th V-Convention held in Penang - and the first one was back in 2008 when this venue was still called PISA or Penang International Sports Arena.
As a resident and public servant of this vibrant city, I share the pride and joy that my people feel knowing that every year for the past decade, we host this diverse group of dreamers, entrepreneurs and leaders as they come together to get inspired, learn, and reaffirm their commitment to leadership and success.
Lead to Inspire, Inspire to Lead – as this year’s theme goes is not only relevant in today’s world and the modern people’s need for leaders who truly inspire kindness and greatness from others, as well as people who inspire others to rise and be leaders themselves. As I look around me tonight, I can see that QNET and The V have an abundance of these people – leaders and inspirers determined to make a difference in the world.
So, once again, I am honoured to be here with you tonight and the incredible energy that is in this room is truly, as they say, one for the books. For those of you who have been coming to Penang for V-CON since 2008, I hope that our city continues to charm you as fervently as it did on your first visit. And for those who are here for the first time, I hope that Penang will captivate you as it did many others – with our history, hospitality, and good food.
Thank you and I wish you all a very successful V-Convention!