Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Hosts 100 Children in Need

June 6, 2017

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) embraced the Ramadan spirit of sadaqah (giving) at its 10th annual buka puasa gathering recently.

This year, the Centre welcomed 100 children from Living Hope and Yayasan Generasi Gemilang (GG), as well as 50 National Kidney Foundation (NKF)* Malaysia patients and their families to an evening of fun and festivities.

Kicking off the exciting gathering, the Centre’s award-winning chefs, team members and media friends led the young VIPs in decorating giant ‘Hari Raya-themed’ cookies with colourful royal icing, sprinkles, chocolate buttons and an assortment of other delicious toppings!

All guests were then treated to the Centre’s ‘Kampung Classics’, a sumptuous buka puasa feast combining contemporary and traditional favourites.

Thanking the Centre for hosting this annual treat, GG Founder, Daniel Tan, shared, “The Centre outdo themselves every year, bringing joy and smiles to the children with their creative and fun activities. The Centre’s fun-filled activities and delicious feast is always one of the children’s top Ramadan moments.”

Congratulating the Centre on their 10th annual buka puasa gathering, founder and chairman of Living Hope, Dr. Peggy Wong, said, “We have been a part of the Centre’s buka puasa festivities since 2008 and every year, the bond between the Centre’s team members and the children deepens. It is always wonderful to see an organisation like the Centre sharing the festive season with the underprivileged and the children love coming to the Centre’s buka puasa treat, especially those (children) who are breaking fast outside the home for the first time.”

Elaborating on the special occasion, the Centre’s General Manager, Alan Pryor, explained, “It is always a pleasure to host this event. The children’s smiles and laughter not only warms our hearts, but also brightens up the venue. We are proud to celebrate the hosting of our 10 th buka puasa and we look forward to many more years of partnership with Living Hope, Yayasan Generasi Gemilang and National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Malaysia.”

Pryor added, “I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Living Hope on their 10 th anniversary. I applaud their success in making a difference for poor, needy and marginalised children living in Malaysia. Their efforts to inspire hope for a better future for underprivileged children is truly Commendable.”

The night ended with Pryor and the senior management team handing out sweet treats courtesy of the Culinary team, and duit raya to the young VIPs from Living Hope and GG, as well as NKF patients and their families.

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Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? 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Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.