LEVEL UP KL 2026 runs October 14–16 at the Connexion Conference & Event Centre (CCEC) in Kuala Lumpur. Inside this 12th edition sits the Business Connection Programme, the B2B engine that turns a conference into real deal-making.
This guide walks through what the programme does, how LEVEL UP KL exhibitor registration works, and what US studios and publishers stand to gain from showing up.
What Is LEVEL UP KL 2026’s Business Connection Programme?
The Business Connection Programme is a B2B matchmaking platform. It connects developers, publishers, investors, and service providers from across Southeast Asia and beyond, running alongside the main conference floor.
The mechanics are simple. Attendees send and receive meeting requests, accept or decline them, and book flexible, dedicated time slots that fit their schedule. No cold-walking a show floor hoping to catch the right person. You set the meeting before you land.
This programme is one piece of a bigger puzzle. LEVEL UP KL’s full lineup includes the Industry Conference, the Business Connection Programme, the Exhibition, Pitch Day, the SEA Game Awards, and Masterclass Workshops. MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation) organizes the whole event, in partnership with BES Production and endorsed by MATRADE.
The numbers back up the scale: 2,000+ attendees, 30+ exhibitors, and 50+ speakers are expected this year.
LEVEL UP KL 2026 Exhibitor Registration: How It Works
Exhibitor registration for LEVEL UP KL 2026 runs through the official event site. You’ll submit your company details, pick your booth or package tier, and lock in your Business Connection Programme access as part of that registration.
Here’s a detail most coverage skips: MATRADE’s endorsement isn’t just a stamp of approval. It unlocks MDG (Market Development Grant) support for Malaysian exhibitors, a funding pathway that offsets exhibition costs. If you’re a Malaysian studio weighing whether to book a booth, this grant changes the math.
One thing to get straight before you register: the exhibitor pass is not the same as the free Expo Pass. The Expo Pass gets a visitor onto the show floor to browse games and demos, no cost, advance registration required. Exhibiting, pitching, and accessing the Business Connection Programme’s matchmaking tools is a separate registration track entirely.
Who Should Exhibit at LEVEL UP KL 2026
Four groups get the most out of a booth here: game studios, publishers, investors, and technology or service providers building tools for the creative-tech pipeline.
The timing matters too. Malaysia’s government has been pushing what it calls the “Orange Economy” under its 13th Malaysia Plan, a deliberate strategy to grow the country’s creative sector. In 2024, Malaysia’s cultural and creative industry contributed 6.8% to GDP, generated RM130.7 billion in gross value added, and supported 763,100 jobs, according to BusinessToday’s coverage of a related September 2026 announcement. Exhibiting at LEVEL UP KL puts a company inside that momentum, not just at a trade show.
What US Exhibitors Gain From LEVEL UP KL 2026
American studios and publishers get a direct line into a market that’s actively courting foreign partnership right now.
Start with the network. MDEC runs LEVEL UP KL as part of its national digital-economy mandate, which means exhibitors aren’t just meeting other vendors. They’re plugged into government-backed trade infrastructure.
Talent access is another draw. The event’s Talent Hub and Career Lounge connect exhibitors with regional developers, artists, and engineers looking for their next role or collaboration.
Credibility comes built in too. Past editions have drawn sponsors like Epic Games, Larian Studios, Double Eleven, and Virtuos, names that signal LEVEL UP KL carries weight well beyond Malaysia’s borders.
There’s also a funding pipeline worth knowing about. 36-hour Game Jam and Screen Jam programmes feed top teams into FINAS funding and into the wider games ecosystem through LEVEL UP KL itself. And the SEA Game Awards, now showcased directly on Steam, gives exhibiting studios a global audience beyond the convention floor.
FAQs
What conferences are being held in Malaysia in 2026?
LEVEL UP KL 2026 (October 14–16, Kuala Lumpur) is one of the year’s headline tech and creative-industry events. It sits alongside KL20@Johor, a government-backed creative content and investment initiative announced in September 2026, as part of a broader calendar of Malaysian trade and industry conferences.
What is LEVEL UP KL?
LEVEL UP KL is Southeast Asia’s premier annual game developers conference, organized by MDEC. Now in its 12th edition, it brings together developers, publishers, and investors from across the region and internationally for networking, business matching, and industry insight.
What are some popular business events in Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur hosts a steady calendar of trade and B2B conferences, with LEVEL UP KL standing out as the region’s go-to gathering for the games and creative-technology sector specifically. MATRADE-endorsed trade shows across other industries round out the city’s event calendar.
What are the top 10 businesses in Malaysia?
By market capitalization, Malaysia’s largest listed companies include Maybank, Public Bank Berhad, Tenaga Nasional, CIMB Group, IHH Healthcare, Press Metal Aluminium, Hong Leong Bank, Petronas Chemicals Group, Sime Darby Plantation, and Sunway. These span banking, utilities, healthcare, and industrials, the traditional backbone of Malaysia’s economy, which the government’s Orange Economy push now aims to complement with creative and digital-sector growth.
Which is the biggest event in Malaysia?
LEVEL UP KL doesn’t claim to be Malaysia’s single largest event overall, but it holds a specific title: Southeast Asia’s premier game developers conference. Within the games and creative-technology space, it’s the region’s most established gathering, now in its 12th year.
Conclusion
LEVEL UP KL 2026’s Business Connection Programme turns three days in Kuala Lumpur into real, scheduled business meetings, not just a show floor to wander. Register early, pick the right pass, and come with a clear sense of who you want to meet.
Abroy John is the Founder and Editor of Asia Pop Fests, where he covers
entertainment news and events from across Asia. He focuses on accurate,
up-to-date reporting on the region’s festivals and pop culture.
