The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre), Malaysia’s leading purpose-built venue for conferences, exhibitions, and events, marked its 20th anniversary on 12 June with a celebratory reception themed “Celebrating the Past 20. Shaping the Next 20.” The occasion gathered industry stakeholders, long-time partners, and loyal clients to reflect on two decades of excellence in global dialogue, economic advancement, and cultural exchange.
The evening event was hosted by celebrated singer and actress Atilia Haron, who brought her signature charm and live performances to entertain guests. The Centre’s culinary team also showcased its award-winning capabilities by serving dishes made from locally and sustainably sourced ingredients, creatively presented—some even atop custom ice sculptures.
According to John Burke, the Centre’s General Manager since 2023, the future of the venue relies heavily on its ability to adapt and respond to evolving client expectations and event formats. He highlighted how the Centre has already undergone refurbishments and redesigns to improve its spaces and services, placing strong emphasis on sustainability. As part of these efforts, the venue now runs on green energy, composts 100% of its food waste, and sources 70% of its food and beverage supply from within Malaysia.
Since opening in 2005, the Centre has hosted more than 22,000 events and welcomed over 29 million visitors, contributing RM12.6 billion to the Malaysian economy. It remains the only venue in Malaysia to have hosted multiple ASEAN Summits, including in 2005, 2015, and most recently, the 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025. Over the years, the Centre has welcomed a range of world leaders and global figures, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, former U.S. President Barack Obama, and football icon David Beckham.
John Burke also acknowledged the contributions of the Centre’s long-serving staff members who have been part of the journey since day one, expressing heartfelt appreciation to all who have supported the Centre’s growth and reputation.
The Centre extended its gratitude to KLCC (Holdings) Sdn Bhd for its continued trust and partnership. Operated by Convex Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between KLCC (Holdings) Sdn Bhd and ASM Global, the Centre also recognised its precinct collaborators within the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Business Events Alliance (KLCCBEA), including the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Impiana KLCC Hotel, Suria KLCC, and airline partners.
The celebration also included acknowledgements to institutional partners such as the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), and the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS), as well as international associations including ICCA, UFI, AIPC, and PCMA, for their roles in enhancing Malaysia’s global business events footprint.
To mark its 20th year, the Centre recently introduced KLCC Connects, a long-term initiative that consolidates its sustainability goals and community engagement efforts under one platform. KLCC Connects aims to encourage collaboration across industries, academia, NGOs, and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) stakeholders such as Urbanice Malaysia.
For further information and the latest updates, visit the Centre’s official newsroom at www.klccconventioncentre.com or follow them on Facebook (@klccconventioncentre), LinkedIn (Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre), Twitter (@klccconvention), and Instagram (@klccconventioncentre).
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