An association of toastmasters is to hold its first world convention outside North America in a move which reflects the increasingly international make-up of its membership.

Toastmasters International has decided to hold its World Convention 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, after experiencing strong membership growth in South east Asia.

More than 2,000 delegates are expected at the four-day event which is being held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, from 20-23 August 2014.

Supported by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) the convention is expected to rake in RM32.5 million (£6.5m) for the local economy.

Toastmasters International executive director, Daniel Rex, said: “Kuala Lumpur is centrally located to a broad membership population which would potentially boost convention attendance higher than it’s ever been. We’re excited to host our convention in this wonderful city”.

Global association meetings held in Malaysia have been known to score record-breaking attendance, such as the 18th World Congress of Information Technology 2008 (3,300 delegates), 18th World Congress of Accountants 2010 (5,050 delegates) and 70th Institute of Internal Auditors International Conference 2011 (3,300 delegates – largest attendance for conference outside America).

Toastmasters will benefit from MyCEB’s subvention programme. Launched in November 2010, the programme includes financial and non-financial incentives to support bids. So far MyCEB has approved RM20.5m in subvention to international association meetings.

Pictured: Daniel Rex