Malaysia�s aim to become the preferred Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) destination is getting a new boost with the addition of the highly anticipated Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre due to open in mid-2005. Strategically located within the heart of the capital city, the convention centre is set to become a magnet for regional and international conventions, public exhibitions, trade shows, sporting and entertainment events, as well as public functions.

Built at the doorstep of the magnificent 88-storey PETRONAS Twin Towers, on an area of 28,347 sq metres, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is another major project in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) development, along with other completed features including the Suria KLCC shopping centre, the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, the 49-storey Maxis Tower, the ExxonMobil Tower, KLCC Public Park, the Asy-Syakirin Mosque and the 864-seat PETRONAS Philharmonic Hall.

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre�s Plenary Hall with tiered seating for 3,000 delegates and its 500-seat Plenary Theatre will have full conference and voting systems, state-of-the-art audio-visual and lighting systems and built-in simultaneous interpreting system booths.

The centre also has four main exhibition halls at the ground level totalling 9,500 sq metres, and a link hall (700 sq metres). Two large conference halls offer column-free space with double operable soundproof walls and can each accommodate 980 people theatre style.

The Grand Ballroom can hold 2,500 persons theatre style or 2,000 guests for banquets. Its state-of-the-art facilities include a double operable soundproof wall system, two permanent rear projection screens and audio-visual and stage lighting, with under floor trunking systems to connect to all services. The Banquet Hall, adjoining the Grand Ballroom, can accommodate up to 730 guests theatre style and up to 900 for cocktails.

The meeting rooms, which also have modern facilities can accommodate between 50 and 130 delegates. There are 19 medium-sized and smaller breakout rooms with flexible size configurations. On Level 3, the East Meeting Room has 465 seats for theatre style functions and space for up to 580 guests during cocktail receptions.

To place the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in a class of its own, a large walk-through aquarium will showcase over 3,000 tropical marine life including sharks and rays. Focusing on �edu-tainment�, the Aquaria@KLCC offers a unique underwater experience with extensive use of multi-media technologies that integrate technology, education and entertainment. Adventurous visitors can �dive with the sharks� while the �Weird and Wonderful� collection of exhibits are housed in an underwater scientific research station

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