NST Online: StreetsJohor

Posted: 05 Sep 2011 10:43 AM PDT

For the first time, Soroptimist clubs nationwide simultaneously have children from over 30 homes watching the charity premiere of Cars 2

AFTER the charity screening of the Disney-Pixar animated movie, Cars 2, comments like, "I like Mater!" and "I want to be friends like Lightning McQueen and Materare" were heard among the excited children as they walked out of the theatre at Cathay Cineplex, City Square Johor Baru.

They came out starry-eyed, captivated by the antics and adventures of the movie characters that were involved in a World Grand Prix that took them from Radiator Springs, United States, to Tokyo and London.

The intrigue of international espionage, exciting car chases and Mater's bathroom scene in Japan certainly put a smile on their faces.

The screening in Johor Baru was part of the nationwide charity premiere of Cars 2 for 1,200 children from more than 30 homes that was hosted by 13 Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia clubs.

For the first time,the event was organised for the charity movie to be screened simultaneously in various locations from Penang to Johor Baru.

Over 2,800 tickets were sold throughout the country for children to enjoy the movie and raise funds for Soroptimist's education service projects.

"We need funds, sponsorships and other forms of help to benefit these children," said Soraya Alkaff, president-elect of Soropti

mist International Johor Baru (SIJB).

Working with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Malaysia as one of the event's main coordinators, SIJB were among the clubs in Penang, Ipoh, the Klang Valley, Kuantan and Seremban to host the nationwide event.

The clubs had the support of Cathay Cineleisure at the Curve in Petaling Jaya, Penang and Johor Baru, as well as Tanjong Golden Village cinemas in Ipoh and Seremban, and Golden Screen Cinemas in Kuantan to make this simultaneous charity screening a success.

Some 107 of these children were given the opportunity to interact with local children from the Villa Paulos Orphanage Home, Puspanesan Welfare Home, Berkat Welfare Association and students from Sri Ara International School.

Tickets were sponsored by individuals and corporations who share in the non-governmental organisation's vision to help underprivileged children, including giving them happy experiences such as enjoying a movie in a theatre.

Proceeds from ticket sales were channelled to the various clubs for their respective education projects in line with Soroptimist International's long-term vision, "Soroptimists: Educate to Lead -- Empower, Educate, Enable".

Some 330 tickets were sold by SIJB for the event. Proceeds will go towards the maintenance of the two schools under the club's Project ABC -- Kota Tinggi School for Rohingys and Kulai School for Rohingys.

State needs bigger convention centres

Posted: 05 Sep 2011 09:13 AM PDT

2011/09/05
by Sim Bak Heng

SOMETIMES, it makes sense to lay claim to be the biggest or the longest of certain things.

You would have noted there are more exhibitions, expos and trade fairs in Johor Baru in recent years, and this is largely attributed to the setting up of more convention centres at the southern gateway.

Prior to the emergence of these centres, most events are held at big halls or stadiums.

These days, the word big halls and stadiums could be quite deceptive, as most of the time, they are generally smaller than convention centres.

Convention centres is a big business, so is event management. The two always work in a pair, as no one could survive without the other.

We have the Persada Convention Centre, the Danga Bay Convention Centre and the Expo @Danga City Mall, which operate from independent buildings.

Some shopping centres and hotels also joined the bandwagon by setting up their own so-called convention centres.

The organiser of an event in Johor Baru recently told me the convention centres in Johor Baru are just too small to accommodate more booths.

I was perplexed by his statement and told him the Persada is the biggest in Johor Baru so far.

He told me there are even bigger ones in the Klang Valley.

Without giving names, I already know he must be referring to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the Putra World Trade Centre, Mines Convention Centre, the Mid Valley Convention Centre, among others.

I attended events at the four convention centres and agreed that some are bigger than those in Johor Baru.

What difference does it make to have a smaller or bigger convention centre?

The organiser said an organiser of a big event in the Klang Valley with 300 participants will find it difficult to host a similar event of the same scale in Johor Baru.

So when the event organiser comes down to Johor to host the same event, chances are that he has to slash the number of participants.

Who is losing out eventually?

Now it makes sense to have a bigger convention centre, rather than to have the biggest pizza or longest satay.

Convention centres provide the platform for businessmen to explore and expand their market, as well as for consumers or buyers to get their supply of goods and services.

With fast development taking shape in Iskandar Malaysia, and impressive figures announced by the state government, it makes sense for us to explore the possibility of having a bigger convention centre.

For those who had visited the Shanghai Expo, they will realise how small we are in size.

That should encourage the state to do better.

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Selasa, 6 September 2011

NST Online: StreetsJohor

NST Online: StreetsJohor

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