This post is brought to you in part by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB).

Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures and its cities are incredibly diverse and rich in cultural heritage, none more so than Kuala Lumpur. It is a compelling business event destination with a wide variety of venues, accommodation, and leisure experiences to offer any visitor. Here are seven reasons why Kuala Lumpur is the perfect destination for your next business meeting.

1. Malaysia is strategically located in Southeast Asia

Centrally located within Southeast Asia and not too far away from oceanic states like Australia and New Zealand, Malaysia is a prime location for business meetings, as well as a stopover for anyone travelling in Asia. The federal capital of the country, Kuala Lumpur, is a crossroads of business and trade for the region.

Conveniently, the KL Internationally Airport is only about an hour away from the city and is easily accessed via taxi or the KLIA Ekspress, which is a commuters’ train service that takes travellers from the airport straight into the city. KLIA is ranked 19th on the list of best airports in the world by World Airport Awards.

2. Transportation around the city is convenient

KL is connected by a network of reliable public transport services including the main public bus service and the public rail systems, Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Monorail Transit (MRT). These are all operated by RapidKL, a government-owned company. Another ooption is the Malayan Railway (KTMB). RapidKL offers day passes and a number of MyRapid passes that can last for either 7 or 30 days.

If you want something even more convenient, there is an abundance of taxis you can flag down in the city. Options for card payments include Uber or Grab, which are car sharing services that operate in and around KL and they make travelling around the city a breeze.

3. KL is a booming metropolis with a fascinating heritage

The community in Malaysia is made up of myriad ethnicities, cultures, and religions. These are the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, and a whole host more. In KL, you’ll find all these ethnic groups as well as many expatriates who live in harmony.

This mixture is something that embodies Malaysia – just like when you can tell someone has been in Malaysia for a long time because they say ‘lah’ at the end of a sentence. Speaking of which, travellers to the city will not face much trouble in terms of communication since English is widely spoken here.

As much as KL holds on to its heritage, it also embraces modernity. The city is a labyrinth of well-preserved colonial buildings and tall steel structures which stand as a reminder that KL will always move forward with the wonders of the modern world while treasuring its history.

4. It’s a multicultural food haven

Food is perhaps the best example of the Malaysian cultural fusion. No one really knows where nasi lemak (‘fatty rice’) comes from, but it is a dish loved by Malaysians across the country.

You can find numerous eateries right here in KL with a delicious and large range of international cuisines, including Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Malay, Chinese, and even plenty of Western options.

You’ll be able to indulge in uniquely Malaysian fares and street food, especially on Petaling Street, as well as in amazing fine dining venues around the city that offer some incredibly tasty high-end delights.

Whether it’s familiar comfort food that you want, or some avant-garde dishes for the adventurous, the cuisine you find in KL will surely make any trip here memorable.

5. You can shop – for cheap – until late

Of course, KL is known for being a haven for shoppers, ranking the 4th best shopping destination in the world according to CNN. The malls are filled with well-known internationals brands as well as many local clothing and lifestyle stores, and most shopping complexes in the city are easily accessible via public transport or taxi. There is also plenty of street shopping to be done in KL with Chinatown being one of the popular spots for both locals and visitors.

KL is also one of the cheaper destinations in the region, especially for accommodation and food, in comparison to its surrounding capital cities. To put this into perspective, here’s a quick look at the cost of a fast food meal in KL compared to other cities in nearby countries:

6. There’s plenty to do during the weekend

There are a number of visitor attractions in and around KL that can supplement your business meetings, either as organised social events or for delegates to check out during their downtime.

Since the Malaysian weather is beautiful and tropically sunny all year round, the KL Hop-on Hop-off bus tour is a great option if you want to explore the attractions within the city. It covers over 40 attractions within KL, including the Petronas Towers, Orchid Garden, and the KL Bird Park.

Also, the KL Craft Complex, which is located right in the middle of the city, is a the perfect place to learn about traditional Malaysian crafts such as batik painting, wood carving, and weaving. At the Craft Complex, you can try your hand at creating some of these traditional crafts and keep your handiwork as a souvenir of your visit.

7. The meeting facilities and accommodation are great

Business meetings

Kuala Lumpur houses some renowned venues for meetings, conventions, and exhibitions with state of the art technology which allows you to conduct your meetings with ease. Some of the locations you can consider are:

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC)

• 36 meeting rooms
• Plenary and banquet hall seats 3,000 pax each
• Exhibition centre is 9,710 sqm
• Facilities: parking, disabled access, cafes, connected to a food court in the adjoining Suria KLCC mall

Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC)

• Largest exhibition space in the country
• 17 meeting rooms
• Plenary hall seats 10,000 pax
• Banquet hall seats 7,500 pax
• Exhibition hall is 35,000 sqm
• Facilities: state of the art audio-visual system, movable stage, parking, eateries in the building

Here is a list of the major exhibition venues in KL.

Accommodation

The city is abundant with quality hotels which cater to a wide range of budgets and are conveniently located around the city. The Mandarin Oriental is actually attached to KLCC, as is the Traders Hotel.

In the area of PWTC are the Sunway Putra Hotel, Dynasty Hotel and Seri Pacific Hotel. If you prefer a more down to earth, home-like property, there are home-stays and furnished apartments available such as the Regalia Residence which is only 500 meters from PWTC.

Here is a list of some of the top hotels in KL.

Want to host your next business meeting in KL?

If you’re interested in hosting your next business meeting in KL, feel free to visit the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau website, MyCEB, for further information. MyCEB is a government agency tasked with promoting and supporting KL as a destination to hold and organise business meetings and exhibitions.

The company also offers event support including financial and non-financial incentives to attract international business events. You can also read their latest factsheet about meetings in Malaysia.