Another big award for Sarawak Convention Bureau
KUCHING – Sarawak Convention Bureau’s destination marketing programmes have won the International Convention and Congress Association’s (ICCA) Best Marketing Award at the Association’s International Convention held in Victoria, Canada.
Competing against finalists from Liverpool, UK, and Salt Lake City, USA – Sarawak’s campaign “Harnessing The Power Of Story Telling To Launch A New Meetings Destination†was voted the winner of the 2008 Award by a panel of international judges and 740 delegates from more than 20 countries.
This prestigious international award has capped off a triumphant year for the Bureau, following the launch of its unique destination commercial “Recharge in a New World Sarawak-Borneo†that earlier took out the Diamond Award for best overall entry across all categories at ITB in Berlin followed by a Gold Camera Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June and a Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) 2008 Gold Award, in September.
The ICCA Best Marketing Award, established in 1997, recognises the excellence and outstanding achievements of member organisations in their effort to market their destination or product.
Entries can range from full scale campaigns and branding exercises to individual promotions and events.
The Bureau’s entry was introduced by CEO, Jill Henry, and co-presented by convention bid manager, Amelia Roziman, who shared Sarawak stories and a specially choreographed welcome dance from the Iban community.
A jubilant Henry said: “We were thrilled just to be selected as finalists as it gave us a chance to promote Sarawak to international meeting planners. As a relative newcomer we did not expect to be bringing this prestigious award home to Malaysia.
“Nothing is more daunting than presenting to a tough international audience like ICCA. The members represent the most experienced international marketers in the MICE industry today.â€
As an added bonus, the 2008 Winner also receives a marketing package worth approximately €10,000 from the Best Marketing Award sponsor, Bedouk Publications and acknowledgement on the ICCA website and in other international publications.
Ian Jarrett
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