Ng (right) telling MGPA members about SMG’s print and digital platforms. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
Malaysian Gifts and Premium Association (MGPA) members visited Menara Star in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, with the hope of fostering a business relationship and gaining an understanding of Star Media Group’s (SMG) operations.
MGPA president Ivan Loo said, “Our visit here is to explore opportunities of working together. The association’s members see SMG as an important avenue to promote creative and innovative Malaysian gift ideas.”
Loo led the team of MGPA delegates on the visit.
They were met by SMG chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng and SMG corporate communication and social impact senior manager Christine Wong, who took them on a tour of the Star Gallery to learn more about the media organisation’s impactful stories and events throughout its development in five decades.
Members of MGPA were also taken to SMG’s content department where they were given a briefing on its online and print operations.
Ng shared her media experience and gave visitors insight into news-gathering operations.
MGPA members also had the opportunity to see the workings of SMG’s radio station 988 FM.
Its senior general manager Woo Bee Ay briefed the visitors on the station’s operations.
SMG client brand marketing general manager Kenny Yeap gave an extensive briefing on the working opportunities and possibilities for MGPA and SMG to collaborate.
Loo said the collaboration with SMG would add value to MGPA’s creative industry.
“We are holding the 15th Malaysian Gifts Fair 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, themed ‘Gifts for a Circular Future’,” he said.
“Our fair is the premier Asean event for gifts, premiums and stationery that showcases innovative ideas from hundreds of exhibitors in the region’s multi-billion-ringgit industry.
“It also brings together marketing talks, business matching, networking opportunities and innovation awards in one platform.”
He said there would be opportunities to collaborate with SMG in promoting the industry as foreign exhibitors from Hong Kong, South Korea, India, Bangladesh and Taiwan would be participating in the fair.
“We are expecting 16,000 visitors at the fair next year. That will provide a vast opportunity for exhibitors to showcase latest products to potential buyers from all around the world,” he added.
Loo said the three-day trade exhibition was the region’s largest gift fair.
“It is a platform that allows buyers to come directly to us, without having to go through agents,” he said.
