The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will organize the 2012 PATA Annual Conference (PAC2012) hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia, and Tourism Malaysia. The conference will address the theme “Building the Business Beyond Profits” and will feature some of Asia’s most acclaimed and conscientious entrepreneurs.

Mr. Martin J. Craigs, PATA CEO, said: “PATA is proud to bring the PATA Annual Conference back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, since the last conference in 2001 when the association celebrated its 50th anniversary. PATA Next Gen expresses the association’s commitment to build business with all the new tools of the trade without losing our face-to-face friendships or sense of fun.”

The speakers, all Next Gen thought leaders, will share their successful social entrepreneurship business models and principles. Mr. Bruce Poon Tip, Founder, G Adventures, will address the closing session on “Building the Business Beyond Profits.” G Adventures has grown to become a world leader in adventure travel, with offices around the world, offering small group experiences in over 100 countries to more than 100,000 travelers annually. As one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40, Bruce has also won Canada’s Entrepreneur of the Year twice and has been honored as Canada’s 100 Leaders of Tomorrow. In “Profit” magazine, Bruce was hailed as one of the Top 10 Entrepreneurs in Canada within the last 25 years. Bruce is a very inspiring and charismatic speaker who has presented to audiences of thousands.

PAC2012 will be held at The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 21-22, 2012. On April 19-20, PATA will also hold the PATA Annual General Meeting, the PATA Chapter Colloquium, the PATA Board&Category Committee meetings, the 2012 PATA Gold Awards luncheon, and PATA Foundation fund raising activities, all at the same venue.

Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia, and Tourism Malaysia, the 2012 PATA Annual Conference will bring together delegates from all areas of travel and tourism. The conference is shaping up as a great networking, insights, and Next Gen thought leadership forum that will deliver tangible benefits to all professionals in the Asia Pacific travel and tourism space.