Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Appoints John Burke Deputy General Manager
May 9, 2017
The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) has appointed John Burke as its new Deputy General Manager.
Burke is a senior venue operations professional with more than 25 years’ experience working across all areas of venue and event management including leadership, commercial management, construction liaison, vendor management, programme management, facility operations & engineering, and audio visual (AV) & technical systems infrastructure & development.
Welcoming Burke to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre family, the Centre’s General Manager, Alan Pryor, said, “We are delighted to have John onboard. We are confident that the Centre will benefit immensely from his strong technology background to further enhance our state-of-the-art information technology (IT) and AV facilities to better meet our clients’ needs. We also look forward to utilising his knowledge and experience in operations to support us in delivering affordable and personalised services to our clients.”
As Deputy General Manager, he is responsible for overseeing the Centre’s day-to-day operations including managing the AV and technical services, catering, event co-ordination and exhibition services, to name a few.
Prior to joining the Centre, Burke was Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre’s (OCEC) Director of Operations, where he was responsible for event operations, AV and production, IT, building services and asset management.
During the construction and pre-opening period of OCEC, he also assumed the responsibilities of Technical Services Manager, where he provided operator input on design and modifications. Before his time at OCEC, he was the Director of IT at Qatar National Convention Centre for four years.
Holding a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Computer Science from Wolverhampton University, Burke kicked off his career with the NEC Group, where he gained over 15 years of comprehensive IT, technical and operational knowledge.
During this time, he was involved in the infrastructure and technical design of Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, the Convention Centre Dublin and LG Arena, amongst others.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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