2014 meeting first to be held outside North America in organisation’s 88-year history

Following an extensive selection process, Kuala Lumpur has been selected by Toastmasters International for the first International Convention to be held outside of North America in the organisation’s 88-year history.

The Toastmasters International 82nd Annual International Convention will take place from 20-23 August 2014 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the country’s premier convention facility.? The four-day meeting is expected to gather more than 2,000 delegates from across the globe at the milestone event that will feature keynote presentations, skills-building seminars, election of the International Board of Directors, gala dinners and a host of networking opportunities.

Mr Daniel Rex, Executive Director, Toastmasters International in a statement released on 25 June 2012 said, the selection of Kuala Lumpur reflects the global nature of the organisation as well as its evolving membership.? “More than 30% of all Toastmasters now live outside North America, with the greatest area of membership growth in Southeast Asia.”

Comparing Kuala Lumpur with the organisation, Mr Rex said that like Toastmasters International, Kuala Lumpur celebrates diversity and is a melting pot of races and religions. “The city is safe and clean and her people, notably friendly.? Millions from around the world visit every year as evidenced by the nearly 80 international meetings held there last year (2011).”

Datuk Peter Brokenshire, General Manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, said Toastmasters International’s decision to hold its 82th Annual International Convention in 2014 in Malaysia is an honour for the country, Kuala Lumpur city and the Centre.
“We are pleased that our investment in the US market via participation in relevant trade shows is starting to pay dividend. Slowly but surely, our message about what Malaysia has to offer the US meetings industry is getting heard.”?

Datuk Brokenshire assured that, as with every event; big or small, international or local, held at the Centre, “we are committed to delivering a world-class experience for both organiser and participants and we look forward to working with Toastmasters International to make their first international convention outside of the US a success. Undoubtedly, their success is our success.”
For 2012 and 2013, among the notable US-based association-organised events to be held at the Centre are the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) 2012 and Women Deliver Conference 2013.
Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, the organisation boasts over 300,000 members in more than 13,000 clubs in 116 countries. Since its inception in 1924, it has helped people of all backgrounds become more confident in front of an audience.