Penang will host the International blogger festival, Blogfest.Asia, for the first time from Oct 1 to 3 at the Wawasan Open University, here.

The event, which aims to provide a platform for Asian bloggers to share their experience in blogging, was sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism and the Penang state government.

According to its organising committee chairman Khor Khan Khai, more than 300 notable bloggers from Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, China and Mongolia were expected to attend.

"We hope that this conference will fulfil its desired objective of creating awareness on the opportunities that come with new media, and make strong technological and social impacts for the benefit of the region," he told reporters, here today.

He said the conference would also allow newcomers to learn from the more established bloggers, as well as industry experts speaking on a variety of subjects ranging from journalism and new media to technology and commerce.

"The three-day conference organised by Hong Kong bases Dot.Asia Organisation, Mybloggercon.com and Wawasan Open University, will feature activities ranging from workshops, public talks, discussions and action camps," he said.

The highlights of the conference will include the 2010 Mybloggercon Awards and Asia Blogger's Choice Awards.

- Bernama