Working remotely in a different timezone is challenging. ICGN reveals how they made this event, held in another continent, a successful one
This year’s International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) annual conference, themed Redefining Capitalism for a Sustainable Global Economy, was hosted by the Kuala Lumpur Retirement Fund, in partnership with Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group Malaysia.
The annual meeting is rotated every year, and is always hosted by a local member organisation.
ICGN aims to raise the awareness of corporate governance and stewardship developments in the host country or local region to global investors and capital market professionals, as well as inspire and promote effective standards of corporate governance to support the sustainable value creation of companies, and advance efficient markets and economies world-wide.
The three-day event included plenary debates, keynote speeches, workshops and social events. It focused on the many good initiatives taking place in Malaysia, many of which were promoted through a mix of government-driven reforms.
The conference is important for Malaysia as it would help attract inward investment by virtue, by instilling investor confidence when emphasising key corporate governance issues. It also explored governance priorities in Asian markets.
Milly Sheehan, ICGN’s communications manager, said: “We are a global organisation. Much of our work and the way we communicate with our members is carried out online, via conference calls or written forms of communication. The conference is very important as it offers our members and interested non-members the opportunity to meet face-to-face to network, share and learn from one another.”
As it was organised by the ICGN secretariat based in the UK, there were a number of challenges.
Elle Thomas, ICGN’s head of communications & events, elaborated: “Malaysia is seven hours ahead of the UK. As we were coming into work, people we were working with were finishing for the day, which was challenging when quick responses were required.
“Fortunately, our team was able to work flexible hours, and we could adjust our hours to better align with our partners in Malaysia. The organisations also made themselves accessible throughout the run up to the conference.”
Thomas added that another challenge for the team was the difficulty in sourcing for local vendors to carry out logistical tasks such as printing conference materials and banners, designing the stage, and creating city tour itineraries for delegates. Fortunately, the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) stepped in.
“They helped to set up meetings when I was in Kuala Lumpur in May 2016 for a site visit to choose our venue and meet potential service providers,” Thomas shared.
Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel was then selected as the local mediator for sourcing service providers, and to be the local DMC for tours.
As for marketing of the conference, acquiring sponsorship and press coverage, ICGN sought assistance from the hosts, who were instrumental in reaching new potential sponsor organisations. They introduced ICGN to the right people and also mentioned the event to all their appropriate contacts to help market the conference. Moreover, the Kuala Lumpur Retirement Fund and MyCEB also liaised with both the local and international press for coverage both before and after the event.
Event ICGN Annual Conference Kuala Lumpur 2017
Organiser The International Corporate Governance Network
Date July 11-13, 2017
Venue Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Number of attendees 442 people from over 20 countries
Challenges Malaysia is seven hours ahead of the UK, which was challenging at times when quick responses were required. It was also difficult to source for local vendors to carry out logistical tasks.
