GEORGE TOWN: V-Convention 2022, the largest gathering of network marketing professionals associated with the QI Group's flagship business QNET, returns to Penang with renewed vigour this week after a hiatus of two years.

It is being attended by more than 15,000 entrepreneurs from over 30 countries.

Pomp and pageantry heralded the convention's opening ceremony on Friday (Oct 7) where a multitude of men and women dressed in colourful national costumes depicting an array of cultures and traditions from around the globe.

In his opening speech, State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin applauded QNET's accomplishment of ushering many successful international entrepreneurs from the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, the Indian sub-continent and Indonesia to Malaysia.

He said this has indirectly boost Penang's tourism industry, with the convention expected to generate an economic impact of RM157 million for the state.

"Penang is an international city and a leading venue of choice for investors and tourists. Therefore, I must thank QNET for directing so many people to our state and raising our profile as a renowned tourist destination and UNESCO World Heritage City.

"I am thrilled that you are all in Penang and fully charged with positive energy to learn from the prolific Datuk Seri Vijay Eswaran, the executive chairman of QI Group, as well as his team of mentors and business coaches," he said.

Yeoh also expressed confidence that QNET would help inspire today's entrepreneurs to become instruments of change tomorrow.

Themed "Be The Change", the five-day gathering that ends Oct 11 marks the first physical V-Convention since 2019 after nearly three years of COVID-19 restrictions on large meetings.

Events lined up for QNET's global community of distributors, known as Independent Representatives (IRs), include a mega exhibition of QNET products, training workshops by entrepreneurs and leadership professionals, information sessions about the direct selling industry, new product launches, and a showcase of the QI Group's sustainability and community initiatives.

Also present at the ceremony were QI Group executive chairman Datuk Seri Vijay Eswaran, deputy chairman Joseph Bismark, QI Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas and QNET chief executive officer Malou Caluza.

During the global pandemic, QNET transformed V-Convention into a virtual affair titled "V-Convention Connect" and it attracted an unprecedented 500,000 participants, who were provided an enriching and immersive virtual experience from the comfort of their locations.

QNET retails various products for wellness, personal care and beauty, holidays, home care and e-learning courses, enhancing the everyday lives of its customers around the world.

In 2018, It was ranked as one of the 100 Solid Top MLM Companies by the direct selling news portal, Business For Home.

-- BERNAMA