CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE WORLD HOSPITALITY, LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT EXHIBITION (WHOLE) 2020

CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE

WORLD HOSPITALITY, LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMENT EXHIBITION (WHOLE) 2020

BY YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW, CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG

12 SEPTEMBER 2020, 1530 - 1700

SPICE CONVENTION CENTRE, PENANG

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There is a famous expression in English "When the going gets tough, the tough get going".

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly affected public health, impacting businesses and the economy. The tourism industry in Malaysia is one of the sectors that is severely affected by the coronavirus. Many events, exhibitions, conferences, seminars, forums, meetings etc were either postponed or cancelled from March this year until the first quarter of 2021.

Some things just aren't the same anymore.

Good Afternoon and Selamat Sejahtera.

1.     IR MD SHAH NURI BIN MD ZAIN,

Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA),

2.     ANITA JACOBSON,

Managing Director of Alpine Group Services,

3.     DATO’ – DATO’

4.     DATIN – DATIN

5.     MEMBERS OF THE PRESS

6.     FELLOW EXHIBITORS

7.     LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

It is true that the pandemic has disrupted the way how we live our lives. It is true that the future holds challenges that we cannot envisage. However, the future also holds opportunities if we know where to look.

The inaugural WHOLE PENANG 2020 has proven that positive things can happen when we work together. I must commend the organiser, Alpine Group Services, for making a bold move to proceed with its plan to organise the WHOLE PENANG 2020 despite the challenging circumstances.

Alpine Group Services initiated the first hybrid trade event to serve the needs of the industry while adhering to the SOPs set by the Government. I am also pleased that the company chose Penang to hold this remarkable event.

Visitors and exhibitors can take part in the WHOLE PENANG 2020 physically or virtually, via the hybrid platform. The three-day trade event has attracted over 100 physical exhibitors and 80 virtual ones, benefitting both local and international trades.

Besides providing a platform for business networking, the event also allowed participants to take part in forums, talks and other activities. So, this is not just an exhibition; it is very much a business summit!

This event is widely shared via social media and its official media partner, Buletin Mutiara. We are happy to welcome more events in Penang to help the state boost its domestic tourism.

The success of this event is an example of a strategic public-private partnership between a professional & experienced organiser and the authorities, with the support from industry associations and key players.

More of such strategic partnership initiatives should be encouraged for the benefit of all related stakeholders in Penang.

Congratulations to Alpine Group Services and its supporting partners; and thank you for organising WHOLE 2020 in Penang. I believe that the WHOLE 2021 is going to be even bigger and better!

Thank you.