Cultural Events
2027 EMBA Cambridge Judge Business School
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | March 14th - March 20th, 2027
DINNERS WITH GUEST SPEAKERS:
Welcome dinner with guest speaker XYZ
Open House on Sunday, October 4th
Patricia Steinmetz Kelly is a senior leader with over 30 years of experience in institutional relations, strategic project management and corporate positioning, currently serving as Managing Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Mexico.
Over dinner, she will lead an interactive discussion on the Mexican business environment, exploring market dynamics, regulatory challenges and opportunities for international companies. Drawing on her extensive experience working with global firms, she will offer practical perspectives on operating and expanding in Mexico, helping participants frame the week’s business and academic themes from the outset.
Speaker bio
One of Malaysia’s most endearing and unique experiences is our “open house”, a celebration of welcoming family, friends, and even strangers to our homes during the festive season to partake in food and drinks. Special dishes are prepared, the house is dressed up for the occasion, and we extend our warm hospitality in welcoming guests through our doorsteps. It is this unique experience that we aim to bring, daily, to OpenHouse Malaysia.
Venue information
TBD
Potential menu
5–10 minutes by group bus transfer from EQ Kuala Lumpur
5–10 minutes by group bus transfer from Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
5–10 minutes by group bus transfer from JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur
Given the short distance and group format, group bus transfer is recommended rather than public transportation.
Hotel-venue distance
Networking Dinner/Speaker Panel
Bo Lingam & XYZ
WIP On The Park on Monday, March 15th
Join us for an insightful evening exploring the opportunities and challenges of doing business in Malaysia, hosted on the privately rented Mezzanine Floor at WIP On The Park, offering an exclusive and stylish setting for discussion, networking and dinner.
Bo Lingam has played a key role in shaping AirAsia Aviation Group’s strategic direction and regional expansion since joining the airline in 2001. Having held numerous senior operational and leadership roles, he now serves as Group CEO, overseeing the airline’s continued growth across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia. His leadership focuses on operational excellence, process optimisation and customer experience, while driving AirAsia’s evolution and expansion across the region.
Speaker bio
Set within a lush urban tropical garden in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, WIP On The Park offers a relaxed and contemporary setting for group dining and networking. Its diverse menu brings together Malaysian, Asian and international flavours, while its open-air spaces and private event facilities provide an inviting backdrop for an informal evening with fellow participants and local guests.
Venue information
5–10 minutes by group bus transfer from EQ Kuala Lumpur
Around 5 minutes by group bus transfer from Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. It is also only around a 5-minute walk, as the hotel and restaurant are both on Jalan Pinang.
5–10 minutes by group bus transfer from JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur
Hotel-venue distance
Bo Lingam has played a key role in shaping AirAsia Aviation Group’s strategic direction and regional expansion since joining the airline in 2001. Having held numerous senior operational and leadership roles, he now serves as Group CEO, overseeing the airline’s continued growth across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia. His leadership focuses on operational excellence, process optimisation and customer experience, while driving AirAsia’s evolution and expansion across the region.
Speaker bio
Dinner with guest speaker XYZ
Tamarind Springs on Wednesday, March 17th
Speaker bio
Venue information
TBD
Potential menu
Hotel-venue distance
CULTURAL EVENTS:
Dinner with cultural immersion
XUYAN Malaysian flavours, storytelling and live performance on Wednesday, March 17th
Evenings here feature a curated dinner showcasing regional Mexican flavors and live performers and DJs playing iconic Spanish and Latin hits, from classics to current favorites. More than just a meal, it’s an interactive, international-friendly experience that connects guests to Mexican culture through music, storytelling and the upbeat energy of Mexico City’s nightlife.
The XUYAN immersive dining experience brings Malaysia’s multicultural heritage to life through food and performance. Guests will enjoy a multi-course menu blending Chinese and Malay flavors, with each course presented around the philosophy of “one dish, one story” and designed to connect cuisine with cultural traditions.
Throughout dinner, live music, storytelling and traditional dance create an immersive journey through Malaysia’s diverse cultural influences. Performances incorporate Malay, Indian and Chinese elements, while guests can also wear a traditional hanfu costume.
OPTIONAL CULTURAL EVENTS:
Full-day trip to Puebla and Cholula
Before your program to Mexico City
This full-day tour from Mexico City explores two of central Mexico’s standout destinations: Puebla and Cholula. The journey begins with visits to the ornately decorated Santa María Tonantzintla Church and San Francisco Acatepec, celebrated for their Baroque interiors and colorful Talavera tilework. In Cholula, enjoy a guided visit to the archaeological zone, with time to explore the pyramid tunnels, plaza and panoramic views of the surrounding volcanoes.
The tour continues to Puebla’s historic center for a guided walk through colonial streets and landmarks, followed by free time for photos, shopping and independent exploration. Known for its gastronomy and craftsmanship, Puebla is an ideal place to find Talavera ceramics, traditional sweets and locally made souvenirs before returning to Mexico City.
Description
Lucha Libre wrestling and taco experience
During your program to Mexico City
Description
Discover the true spirit of Mexico City through an unforgettable evening full of bold flavors, local traditions and high-energy entertainment. Begin with a guided taco tour visiting three renowned neighborhood taquerías, where you’ll sample expertly prepared meats and time-honored recipes rooted in centuries of culinary history. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll learn the stories behind each dish and destination, gaining insight into the city’s food culture.
As the evening unfolds, step into the electrifying world of Lucha Libre, Mexico’s iconic wrestling spectacle. Under dazzling lights, masked luchadores captivate the crowd with acrobatic moves, dramatic rivalries and colorful costumes that symbolize tradition and identity. Surrounded by passionate fans, you’ll experience the thrill, humor and emotion that make Lucha Libre a beloved cultural institution.
This combined experience offers the perfect balance of taste, storytelling and spectacle, bringing together Mexico’s street food heritage and legendary sports entertainment in one lively, immersive night that showcases the heart and energy of the capital.
Half-day trip to the Ruins of Teotihuacan
After your program to Mexico City
Departing early in the morning from Mexico City, this half-day journey takes you to the extraordinary archaeological site of Teotihuacan, one of the most important pre-Hispanic cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once home to more than 125,000 inhabitants, Teotihuacan was among the largest cities of its time. During a guided visit, you’ll explore the monumental Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, walk along the Avenue of the Dead and learn about the city’s mysterious origins, spiritual life and advanced urban planning.
After the tour, enjoy free time to visit the on-site museum and browse local souvenir stalls for traditional crafts and keepsakes. The experience concludes with a group lunch at La Gruta, a unique restaurant set inside a natural volcanic cave, where you’ll dine in an atmospheric underground space while enjoying traditional Mexican cuisine. Combining ancient history, cultural insight and a truly distinctive dining setting, this excursion offers a memorable and well-rounded introduction to one of Mexico’s most remarkable heritage sites.
Description
OPTIONAL VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITY:
Full-day volunteering in Xochimilco
Before your program to Mexico City
Putting local communities at the heart of your journey
At ISP, we believe meaningful travel goes beyond sightseeing. It is about connection, responsibility and positive impact.
As part of our ESG commitment, we propose dedicating one day before the official program to give back to the local community. Instead of a traditional tourist activity, participants can spend a day working alongside local farmers in Xochimilco, Mexico City, supporting sustainability, culture and livelihoods.
Why Xochimilco?
Xochimilco is home to the ancient chinampa system — pre-Hispanic agricultural islands that have sustained communities for centuries. Chinampas are man-made farming islands built using mud, vegetation and canals. They form one of the world’s most productive and sustainable agricultural systems.
Local farmers (chinamperos) continue to cultivate vegetables and flowers using agroecological and ancestral techniques, which you will learn about during the visit.
Water scarcity and pollution
Rapid urbanization
Economic pressure on farmers
Loss of cultural heritage
Today, this unique ecosystem faces major challenges:
Without continued support, this landscape risks long-term decline. Volunteering directly contributes to its preservation. You will work with our local partner, Reactiva Xochimilco, a community-based organization dedicated to ecological restoration and sustainable agriculture.
Program:
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Departure from hotel & transfer to Xochimilco (approx. 45 minutes)
Welcome and orientation
Introduction to Chinampa history and ecology
Traditional breakfast : You will enjoy a desayunochinampero prepared with local ingredients, offering cultural immersion and insight into regional food systems.
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Volunteering activities: You will work alongside farmers on:
Planting crops
Manual weed removal
Organic composting
Removing invasive plants (if needed)
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Guided canal tour in a kayak
Traditional pre-hispanic planting workshop
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Return transfer to Mexico City
Arrival at hotel
