Sarawak salutes its convention ambassadors

Sarawak’s eleven new Honorary Convention Ambassadors had more than their “fifteen minutes of fame” as they became instant celebrities at the Sarawak Convention Bureau’s “Anak Sarawak Appreciation Awards – Night of the Stars”.

Winners are Grinners

Recipients were collected from their homes by chauffeur driven limousines and were surprised to be greeted on arrival by glamorous hostesses, screaming fans, autograph hunters and paparazzi before taking a a red carpet walk to the dinner dance venue at the Merdeka Palace Hotel, Kuching.

The recipients were interviewed by CATs radio hosts, Faye and Gary, then ushered into the ballroom to join invited guests for a silver service banquet.

Entertainment including the best of Broadway songs was provided by local band Full Steam Ahead and popular “feline” dancers the Kuching Cats.

Feline frolics in Kuching

The Bureau’s CEO, Jill Henry, in announcing the new recipients said,

“The award recipients represent Malaysian associations that have successfully bid for a national or international convention to come to Sarawak. We applaud their efforts and thank them for their dedication and commitment in taking up the challenge bringing their meetings to Sarawak.

“Our 2007 recipients are responsible for conventions covering a wide range of topics including general medical science, new bone stretching orthopedic techniques, evidence-based nursing; foot reflexology; better and cleaner toilets; eco tourism development/trade exchanges; human resource development; life insurance/financial advice and the development of Sarawak’s lucrative fruit industry.”

The individual recipients are:

Dr Zuwali Kifli Bin Merawai, CEO of the Centre for Modern Management for successfully bidding for the Asia HRD Congress (500 delegates) to be held from 14 – 16 July 2009 in Kuching.

Mr James Bong, Assistant Secretary General of the National Association of Life Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAMLIFA) for the 1st Mandarin Speaking NAMLIFA national conference (1,000 delegates) to be held in Miri in January 2008.

Mr Albert George, AZAM Toastmasters Club, for the District 51 Toastmasters international Convention (500 delegates), to be held in Kuching from 1-4 May 2009.

Dr Chang Kam Hock, University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Department of Nursing, for the First Biennial international Evidence-Based Nursing Conference (100 delegates) to be held in Kuching from 27-28th July, 2008

Mr Wong Fu Toh, Sibu Municipal Council for hosting the Second National Toilet Exp and Forum (NATEF) from 9-11th August, 2007.

Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Department of Cardiology Sarawak General Hospital, for the 2008 Malaysia Medical Association AGM and Scientific Meeting (500) delegates to be held in Kuching from 1-3 June 2008.

Professor Madya Dr Margaret Chan Kit Yok, Sarawak Institute of Agriculture Scientists (SIAS) for the Sarawak Fruit Seminar 2007 held on the 8 – 9 August 2007 in Sibu which attracted 200 delegates.

Dr Aruchamy Ramalingam, Department of Orthopedics, Bintulu Hospital for the Ilizarov Workshop held April 2-3rd 2007 in Bintulu and attracting 50 delegates.

Mr Benedict Jimbau, Sarawak Tourism Board, and Mr Albert Teo, Borneo Integrated Services for the fourth Borneo Tourism Conference held in Kuching from 11-13th September, 2007 attracting 150 delegates.

Dr Cecilia Siew, RWO SHR Health Institute, represented by Ms Olivia Chan, for the RWO SHR Health and Bio-energy International Convention (1,000 delegates) to be held in Miri from 3-5th April 2008.

Mr Wee Hong Seng, President Sarawak Tourism Federation, for the third BIMP EAGA Travel Exchange held in Kuching from 1-4 November 2007 attracting 80 exhibitors and over 200 foreign delegates.

The Sarawak Convention Bureau was established by the Sarawak State Government last year, to attract more conventions to Sarawak.

The Bureau’s services are provided free of charge to meeting planners and include assistance with bids for conventions, marketing and delegate boosting services.