As one of the most significant meeting venues in the Asia-Pacific region, Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) is launching its reputation as a premier destination on the global stage. Since throwing open its doors to the public about nine years ago, PICC has continued to attract high-level international conferences. From playing host to only eight events in 2003, more than 2,500 events have been held at PICC up to the present day. Below are just a few of the many reasons that have made and continue to make the PICC a resounding international success.
A culture of hospitality
Serving guests and making sure that their needs are well taken care of are inherent characteristics that exude naturally from the people in Malaysia. With its charming disposition, PICC was designed on the premise that everyone who uses the facilities will feel very much at home. Rising majestically on Putrajaya’s highest point and commanding a panoramic view of the entire Putrajaya Precincts, PICC straddles the peak to ensure that the safety and security of its guests is paramount.
Architecture & design
Standing as if ready to fly, the curvilinear building is designed to combine the traditional shape and concept of the ‘wau’, an ancient kite, and the silver royal belt buckle. The main halls are set underneath the bejeweled ‘eye’ of the buckle – and the idea of ‘buckling-up’ is synonymous with having a win-win conclusion. Hence PICC’s tagline; ‘Where Great Minds Meet’, was born.
With Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage, guests are able to marvel at the designs of the building and the interior of the conference rooms, which are adorned with the beauty of the flora and fauna of the country. Also, the arts and crafts of its indigenous people such as the ‘songket’ (hand woven silk brocade fabric) and the ‘mengkuang’ basket’s designs are used as decorations for walls and carpets.
Events facilities
PICC has a proven suitability for mega events. It has an impressive gross floor area of 135,000sq m over seven floors. There are 10 conference halls, 33 meeting rooms, 13 secure VIP rooms and a VVIP lounge. The Plenary Hall is the largest hall in PICC, with over 4,123sq m that can accommodate up to 2,800 people. It is supplemented by two royal boxes, two public viewing galleries and eight interpreter rooms operating 32 channels. Entering from the lower level is the pillar-free banquet hall which can accommodate up to 3,000 people in a banquet-style sitting arrangement.
The grand interior of the Heads of State Hall incorporates a circular seating arrangement for 180 people within its 518sq m of meeting space. The seating arrangement can accommodate 59 Heads of State and 121 advisors. Rooms for note-takers and bodyguards are located above the meeting space. The hall also incorporates eight interpreter rooms and two en-suite restrooms.
Modern technology
Communication and interaction is also made effortless with PICC’s cutting-edge information and communications technology (ICT) facilities. These include information kiosks and wireless LAN; wireless simultaneous interpretation system; provision for live television broadcast and coverage; holographic rear projection system; facilities, events and maintenance management system; video-conferencing system; video and billboard messaging system, and plasma display/LCD.
With a commitment to providing the best service and facilities for customer satisfaction, PICC’s Audio Visual Department installed two new Barco projectors in 2011. These allow clients to enjoy the privileges of a widescreen display, high-contrast images and superior quality – even in venues with lots of ambient light.
Great location, green ethos
From its majestic position overlooking the administrative capital of Malaysia, PICC is located just 20 minute’s drive from the prestigious Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). With access to a modern expressway, Kuala Lumpur city centre can also be reached within 20 minutes by boarding a high-speed train, or by taxi in less than 30 minutes. With the cooperation of airlines and hotel chains, PICC management has ensured a plentiful room supply, relatively inexpensive rates and good discounts on package deals.
PICC is an eco-friendly and energy-efficient building and was the first convention centre to be awarded the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Best Practices Award by Asean in 2007. Being located in Putrajaya, the administrative centre for the Federal Government of Malaysia, it covers an area of 4,932 hectares and the architecture of the buildings epitomises a vision of modern Malaysia. The centre-piece of Putrajaya and the single prevailing element which holds the city together is its 650-hectare man-made lake and wetlands. Guests and delegates arriving into PICC can take advantage of Putrajaya’s natural landscape to plan their leisure activities.
Nearby is some of the highest-quality accommodation in Malaysia. Opposite the centre is the city’s latest upscale hotel – Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside offers five-star rooms with its beautiful scenery and ambience along the Putrajaya Lake. The 188-room Putrajaya Shangri-La offers an exclusive level of service. The Marriott Putrajaya is better suited to larger groups with its 480-plus rooms. Farther afield are four-and five-star rooms in Cyberjaya and at the KLIA.
With improved consultation and developing connections with the wider industry, PICC’s position on the global stage seems assured. By just about any yardstick an events planner could use, PICC always measures up well against the global competition.
Further information: 603 8887 6000; enquiry@picc.gov.my; www.picc.gov.my
