Sarawak will host one of the most fun filled conventions in the world when the World Clown Association Annual Convention (WCAC) comes to Kuching in March 2013. This six day meeting will attract about 200 professional clowns from around the world and is expected to ring in over half a million Malaysian Ringgit (USD161,000) for the local hospitality and tourism sector and millions more smiles for local kids and charitable community groups.
The winning bid was clinched through a team effort by local host, Mr. Sam Tee of Uncle Button Clown Supplies (Kuala Lumpur), the Malaysian Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and the Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) through a bid presentation to the World Clown Association in New York City, USA.
Mr. Sam Tee, expressed, “Promoting ‘THE ART OF CLOWNING’ in Malaysia is the dream and personal mission of 20 years of a small group of Malaysians dedicated to bringing smiles to local communities”.
“South East Asia holds much potential to grow a robust clown community allowing the World Clown Association (WCA) membership to expand in Malaysia, Japan, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and China”, he adds.
The event will help to train more volunteers for “Caring Clown” activities within hospitals, orphanages and special needs groups. Furthermore, WCAC 2013 will look to establish an “Asia-Pacific Clown Alley” to encourage co-operation between clown communities in the East and in the West.
Previously hosted in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (2010) and New York City, USA (2011), the WCA provides an educational platform for amateur and professional clowns to share their expertise and promote the art of clowning throughout the world. It will be the first time this convention is held in Asia.
Dr. Richard Snowberg, Convention Chairman for WCA Convention 2013 and inductee to the International Clown Hall of Fame, said, “We are very excited at hosting the convention in Kuching, Sarawak as there has been exceptional Government support, as well as interest among our members worldwide in this exotic destination”.
Mr. Zulkefli Hj Sharif, CEO of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau expressed, “The bid success is an affirmation of the confidence of international associations in Malaysia’s ability to deliver a successful convention”.
“With over 70 per cent of delegates coming from overseas, Malaysia will not only appeal in terms of its excellent value for money proposition, but also its strategic location in the heart of the Asia Pacific as well as the nation’s multicultural diversity – all in one destination,” he adds.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Jill Henry, CEO of SCB adds, “The red nose is synonymous world over with smiles and it is our hope that “Caring Clowns” will be able to ignite a spark of happiness that will last long after the last delegates have packed up and left for home.”
Marketing and promotion road-shows for WCAC 2013 have begun in New York City, USA with future road-shows to be held in India, Japan and other parts of Asia.
Let the circus begin!
