Many consider Putrajaya (formerly known as Perang Besar) as the new capital city of Malaysia. Created in the mid-1990s, the city was chosen as the new federal administrative centre of Malaysia. Indeed, several government offices have long relocated there, with more to follow in the coming years. The move aimed to reduce the congestion and overcrowding in Kuala Lumpur.
The city was conceptualised as a 21st century “intelligent” garden city with a 600ha artificial lake. Putrajaya has conserved about 40 percent of its natural greenery, which is enhanced by large expanses of water and wetlands.
In the midst of this rising power centre, Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) is an iconic landmark sitting majestically on top of Puncak Selatan, the city’s highest point.
Its architecture uniquely combines the traditional shape of the wau (an ancient kite) and the pending perak (a silver royal belt buckle). The curved building looks as if it is ready to fly.
The sprawling facility covers 135,000sqm over nine levels. Its original mandate was to provide a venue for the many governmental meetings and conferences, both local and regional. In fact, the Heads of States Hall, which is laid out in a congress-style setting, is reserved exclusively for high-level international ministerial meetings.
Six years ago, it opened its doors to private and corporate functions and since then has become an increasingly popular venue in Malaysia for meetings, conferences, events and exhibitions.
“We have world-class, state-of-the-art convention facilities – the largest convention space you can find in Malaysia, that can comfortably accommodate 10,000 people in one go,” says deputy secretary Valluvan Veloo, PICC operations manager.
Its vantage spot atop Puncak Selatan and its picturesque vistas around its 20ha site also makes it a good choice for outdoor functions. Its largest event, to date, the Malaysia International Fireworks Competition held last August, drew over 200,000 people over two weeks.
Last year set a record for PICC, hosting 476 events attended by over 400,000 participants. This compares with 2003 when there were only four events held at the centre.
“With the transition from government to private sector, the centre’s approach to the meetings and incentives industry has become more market-oriented. The centre is now already well known in the incentives sector. Many companies like Herbalife, Shung Huor, Tasly, Easy Phamax and others have organised their award dinners and motivational seminars at the PICC,”
Veloo says.
To attract more events to centre, PICC plans to introduce its first loyalty programme, inviting corporate and private groups to become members. The club-based programmed will give exclusive privileges and discounted rates on F&B, spa treatments, transportation services, golf packages and lake cruises around Putrajaya among others.
All around PICC, you see a city on the rise. For groups who want a leisurely-paced alternative to busy Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya is increasingly rising to the occasion. Top-notch hotels and resorts have sprouted in the city providing more than 3,000 guestrooms. There are the newly opened Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside, Putrajaya Shangri-La, Marriott Putrajaya, Cyberview Lodge Resort and Spa and Equatorial Hotel.
“The city offers plenty of incentive options for corporate groups. Activities such as teambuilding and outdoor activities can be held at various parks in Putrajaya such as the wetlands, botanical gardens, agricultural park and heritage park. Activities such as gondola rides, kayaking, fishing and nature trekking are all within the grounds of this modern city,” notes Veloo.
He points out that PICC also provides more value for money.
“With the same level of offering, Putrajaya is far cheaper than other cities like Singapore, Hong Kong and Perth. We have the advantage of being strategically located in between the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and KL city. The country also enjoys political stability. There is no barrier in communication since we have a high level of English-language proficiency. Plus, the people are friendly too,” says Veloo.
WHO’S BEEN TO PICC
2003 • 10th OIC Summit
2005 • NAM – Advancement of Women Summit
• NAM – Coordination Bureau Summit
• IDB Annual Summit
2006 • Malaysia-Africa High Level Knowledge Exchange
2007 • E-Asia ICT 2007
• Napoleon Hill Convention
• Malaysia International Fireworks Competition
• Herbalife Asia-Pacific Supervisory Academy
• Forbes Asia’s Technology Business Review Asean Awards and Dinner
• 2nd Global Bio-Herbs Economic Forum by Easy Phamax
2008 • 4th Life International Convention
• Technology Business Review Awards
KEY FACTS
Capacity
Total floor area: 135,000sqm
Capacity: From eight to 5,000 people
Plenary Hall: Seats up to 2,800 delegates, it is supplemented by two Royal Boxes and two Public Viewing Galleries.
Heads of State Hall: Seats 180 people in a circular arrangement (the centre ring for heads of state has 59 seats, while two outer rings for advisors have a total of 121 seats).
Perdana Hall: 2,000 people banquet-style and 5,000 people cocktail-style. Two different stages can be added either at the centre or at the south end.
Unity Halls A & B: Each hall has floor area of 2,128 sqm and can hold up to 1,200 guests for banquet and 2,000 for cocktails. The two halls can be merged for bigger events and exhibitions.
Halls 1 to 10: Designed for small conferences, each room can seat 200 delegates theatre-style and 120 delegates classroom-style.
Meeting Rooms 11 to 37: For smaller group meetings in a more personal setting, these meeting rooms can accommodate a group from 10 to 100 people.
Contacts
Putrajaya International Convention Centre
Precinct 5, Federal Government Administration Centre
62000 Putrajaya
tel: 60 3 8887 6000
fax: 60 3 8887 6499
email: enquiry@picc.cov.my
