19 Jan Interview with Dr. C.T. Siew
Can Business Events Power Industry Growth? MACEOS Speaks to TEEAM to Find Out
Trade Associations are formed to not only represent their respective industries, but to also carry out activities that are conducive to the growth of its members. The Electrical and Electronics Association of Malaysia (TEEAM) has chosen to be active in business events, specifically trade fairs, for the greater benefit of its members. In this exclusive interview with Dr. C.T. Siew, the President of TEEAM, the MACEOS Team finds out how exactly business events benefitted them, and how other industries can take advantage of this opportunity.
Q: The Association has actively participated in trade exhibitions lately, including your recent participation at international trade fairs such as the Electric & Power Vietnam 2022 in Ho Chi Minh City and Electric & Power Indonesia 2022 in Jakarta in September, as well as the 3E XPO 2022 in Manila in November. Why has the Association chosen to establish a pavilion at trade fairs?
A: TEEAM has always supported trade exhibitions locally in the past. It is an important platform for the industry players to network and get connected. In 2022, TEEAM chose 3 international trade exhibitions in the Asia region, and bringing our members to explore and export to new markets. Exhibiting under a pavilion will bring a bigger impact on our members and TEEAM being the Trade Association for E&E industry, also invited our partner industry Associations in the respective countries to visit our members at the Pavilions – thus attracting more opportunities and potential leads for our members. We believe having a pavilion will definitely provide a good platform and impact for the local E&E industry peers to meet face-to-face, pro-actively communicate with our Malaysian exhibitors, and also thereafter create highly valuable win-win business opportunities.
Q: But with digital marketing and virtual events prevalent these days, why have you opted for a physical event?
A: Digital Marketing has been very important for the past 2 years during the pandemic era. However, it remains important in the post-pandemic era too, where we will still use it to generate leads and create brand exposure to potential markets and clients.
Nevertheless, physical events create a better environment and a good platform to meet potential clients personally by being physically face-to-face and better close the deals, and also to build up stronger rapport and closer relationship.
Q: The Government provides various forms of Grants to support export activities. What form of support has the Association received from the Government?
A: As a Trade Association, TEEAM has applied for and successfully received the ETA (Empowering Trade Association) Grant from MATRADE, which allows us to organise trade promotion activities such as participating in overseas trade shows for our members’ benefit.
Q: Prior to this, what business events have you participated in?
A: We have actually participated in many business events on an on-going basis. These include the most recent ASEAN M & E Show 2022 organised by Informa Markets, ENGINEER and MARVEX Exhibition 2022 by CIS Network, and the Malaysia-China Trade Expo 2022 organised by the Guangzhou Convention Service, to name a few.
Q: Overall, how confident are you in business events to deliver the results that you are looking for?
A: From our long and vast industry experience, business events have consistently provided a very reliable networking platform to readily communicate and build potential leads for our members.
Q: What do you think was the most valuable outcome that the Association and its members have gained from participating in trade fairs?
A: Our Association and members were able to successfully position Malaysia in a positive spotlight in overseas trade shows, showcasing high-quality and performance-centric Malaysian products and services to the region. Further to that, through our pro-active participation in overseas Trade Shows, we have also gained a significant number of new members from the local SMEs.
Q: Would you recommend your members and other industries to be more involved in business events, and what other advice do you have for them?
A: We strongly recommend our members and other industries to be more involved in business events, and pro-actively start making plans and preparations to include Trade Fairs into their 2023 marketing strategies, moving forward. Success will definitely occur, when opportunity meets preparation!
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