Following the success of the inaugural conference in Kuching in 2024, and in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, the upcoming conference is expected to attract 1,000 delegates from across Southeast Asia. Organised by the Sarawak Tourist Guides Association in collaboration with the Malaysian Tourist Guides Council and supported by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), the conference will serve as a strategic intervention to address challenges in the tourist guiding industry and enhance collaboration among tourism frontliners in Southeast Asia.

Under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, Sarawak targets a 7.5% annual growth in visitor arrivals by 2030. Achieving this will depend not only on attracting visitors but on delivering quality experiences. Tourist guides play a critical role in ensuring that this growth translates into real value, sustainability, and meaningful impact. However, the profession is facing increasing challenges, including the rise of digital and AI-driven travel tools, evolving visitor expectations, and a shortage of qualified guides.

“Sarawak is setting its sights on welcoming 5 million visitors by 2026 — but beyond the numbers, our priority is ensuring the quality of experience we deliver,” said Sarawak’s Deputy Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan. “Tourist guides are storytellers, cultural ambassadors, and the frontline of how our destination is understood and remembered. 

“Sustaining this growth requires a highly skilled, future-ready tourism workforce. That is why we are positioning this conference as a dedicated platform for learning and professional development, while accelerating the training of new Registered Regional Specific Tourist Guides and Sarawak Park Guides to build a strong, resilient talent pipeline for the future,” the Deputy Minister continued.

“The role of a tourist guide is becoming more demanding in a fast-changing, digital world. This conference focuses on strengthening regional networks and building meaningful collaborations to elevate the profession,” said Sarawak Tourist Guides Association Honorary Chairman Edwin Lim. “We have chosen Sibu as the host city to support inclusive tourism development, creating opportunities and sharing the benefits of tourism and business events across Sarawak. Through this, we aim to create impact beyond Sarawak and contribute to the growth of Malaysia’s and Southeast Asia’s tourism.”

“Business events today must deliver more than attendance. They must deliver impact,” commented BESarawak Acting Chief Executive Officer Jason Tan Chin Foo. “Regional collaboration among tourist guides is key to that impact. Through this conference, we are strengthening legacy outcomes and advancing a high-value tourism economy while positioning Sarawak as the legacy capital of business events in Malaysia and Borneo.”

As part of the conference programme, delegates will take part in an immersive outdoor learning experience, including a cultural exchange that offers firsthand insight into community-based tourism. This allows domestic and international tourist guides to understand better their role in preserving cultural identity and delivering respectful, authentic experiences.

The 3rd Southeast Asian Tourist Guides Conference 2026 is organised by the Sarawak Tourist Guides Association in collaboration with the Malaysian Tourist Guides Council, and supported by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak). 

For more information, visit Sarawak Tourist Guides Association. 

(Source: Your Stories — BESarawak)

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The message was highlighted during Business Events Sarawak’s (BESarawak) Ramadan engagement series in Kuala Lumpur, part of a broader initiative to strengthen partnerships with the national business events ecosystem, expand future bid pipelines, and position business events as a strategic driver of long-term economic and social impact.

The engagement also comes at an important moment as Sarawak enters the final phase of its development roadmap. As the strategy nears its end, working with industry partners across Malaysia will be key to turning strategic goals into real results for the industry and communities.

“The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, through Business Events Sarawak, remain committed to supporting organisations across the country that wish to bring impactful business events to Sarawak,” stated The Honourable Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, who represented the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, The Honourable Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the Kuala Lumpur engagement session.

“Collaboration has always been the driving force behind Sarawak’s success as a business events destination,” said Jason Tan Chin Foo, Acting Chief Executive Officer of BESarawak. “Through our legacy impact initiatives and comprehensive support for business event organisers, we aim to strengthen the contributions of every industry player and foster meaningful partnerships that deliver lasting legacies for Sarawak, Malaysia and beyond. Initiatives such as the Academic Mobility Programme also enable universities to organise study tours and technical visits to Sarawak, further connecting academia with industry and supporting our vision to position Sarawak as the Legacy Capital of Business Events in Malaysia and Borneo.”

The Academic Mobility Programme is a new initiative that enables universities to organise and host study tours and technical visits to Sarawak. The aim is to strengthen the bridge between research and local priorities, allowing students, researchers and academic institutions to engage directly with Sarawak’s industries, communities and development sectors.

About Business Events Sarawak  
Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) is a strategic advisor driving legacy impact through business events. As a Sarawak Government non-profit, we provide advice, support, and services to develop and host impact-driven events that deliver lasting value. 
The business events industry is a key contributor to Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), with BESarawak trusted to facilitate outcomes that support Sarawak’s sustainable growth and advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). More at www.businesseventssarawak.com. 

(Source: BESarawak)

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Through its Ramadan engagement series themed Satu Meja, Seribu Cerita, Sarawak is bringing together government agencies, associations, academia, industry leaders and media across Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Kuala Lumpur and Penang to reinforce collaboration, expand future bid pipelines, and position business events as a strategic driver of long-term economic and social impact.

The initiative marks a significant step in aligning industry stakeholders at a critical juncture of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, ensuring that business events continue to deliver measurable value beyond the visitor economy and contribute meaningfully to Sarawak and Malaysia’s broader development agenda.

“As we enter the final phase of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, this is a critical window for us to strengthen alignment across the ecosystem and sustain collaboration at its highest level. At this stage, a cohesive industry moving in the same direction matters more than ever,” said Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, at the first Ramadan engagement in Kuching. = “Through BESarawak, we will continue to actively support organisers in delivering impactful business events in Sarawak by refining concepts, strengthening innovation, and aligning programmes with our broader development priorities We remain committed to working hand in hand with the industry to ensure that every stakeholder is empowered to contribute meaningfully and generate lasting outcomes for industries, communities, and the wider economy”.

Deputy State Secretary (Operation) and BESarawak Chairman Datu Hii Chang Kee commented: Over the next four years, we will be guided by three pillars to transform Sarawak into a business events destination of strategic value: transformation and innovation, legacy and impact, and partnerships and people,” said “This means stronger bid support, designing events with built-in legacy outcomes and closer collaboration with government, academia and industry stakeholders who can strengthen the overall impact.”

BESarawak Acting CEO Jason Tan Chin Foo noted: “Legacy impact remains central to our strategy. To achieve lasting impact, our ecosystem — government, associations, academia, industry, and media — must remain cohesive and aligned. Our collaboration must continue beyond the event so that the true value is sustained long after the event is held.” 

Sarawak’s focus on the ecosystem continues to deliver measurable results. In 2025, Sarawak recorded its strongest performance to date, with 160 business events scheduled through 2030, totalling a projected economic value of MYR483.5 million. Sarawak also hosted 159 business events in FY2025 alone, marking a 27% increase from the previous year and generating MYR491.4 million in total economic impact. 

For more information on BESarawak, visit: Business Events Sarawak. 

(Source: Your Stories — BESarawak)

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Taking place from 17 to 19 September 2026 in Kuching at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), WSDN 2026 will welcome over 500 delegates from around the world. Under the theme “Accelerate Networking: A Catalyst to Go Over the Horizon”, the conference will serve as a platform for meaningful exchange on emerging technologies, innovative solutions, and practical strategies that enhance disaster preparedness, response, and recovery across diverse healthcare systems.

Beyond knowledge sharing, the WSDN 2026 is expected to deliver strong economic value to Sarawak, generating an estimated RM4.1 million in Total Economic Impact and supporting over 300 jobs, benefiting the local tourism, hospitality, and services sectors.

“From natural disasters to public health emergencies, Sarawak understands the importance of preparedness and resilience. WSDN 2026 aligns closely with Sarawak’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 by strengthening resilient, inclusive, and future-ready public health systems. While disaster response differs across regions, this conference allows us to build a common understanding of more sustainable ways to protect lives and support communities during disasters,” stated The Honourable Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Sarawak, who chaired today’s press conference.

“Beyond advancing the global medical and disaster nursing agenda, WSDN 2026 provides a platform to examine how local communities can play an active role in disaster preparedness and response. This emphasis on shared outcomes, capacity building, and long-term value reflects Sarawak’s commitment to collaborative, impact-focused business events that deliver meaningful benefits for people and communities,” said Jason Tan Chin Foo, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak).

“This year, WSDN 2026 will integrate technology more deeply into its programme through the use of Augmented Reality in Tabletop Exercises (AR-TTX), a more realistic learning approach that simulates real-life disaster situations. AR-TTX allows participants to strengthen responses and facilitate better decision-making in real emergencies,” said Dr Nurul’Ain Ahayalimudin, Conference Chair of WSDN 2026. “We believe technology plays a critical role in strengthening how we prepare for and respond to emergencies, hence innovation and technology in disaster nursing and emergency response are one of the key focus areas of WSDN 2026.”

The conference will feature globally recognised experts in disaster nursing and emergency response, including Prof. Dr Aileen M. Marty from the University of Miami (USA), Prof. Dr Jamie Ranse from Griffith University (Australia), and Prof. Dr Sonoe Mashino from the University of Hyogo (Japan), alongside leading regional practitioners and researchers shaping the future of disaster healthcare worldwide.

The WSDN 2026 Conference is organised by the Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and supported by the World Society of Disaster Nursing (WSDN), Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), and the Association for Malaysian Emergency Nurses (AMEN). 

Emergency responders, disaster managers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers are encouraged to participate in WSDN 2026 and help strengthen disaster preparedness and response. 

For more information on conference highlights, registration, and participation opportunities, visit www.wsdn2026.com.

For more information on BESarawak, visit: Business Events Sarawak. 

(Source: Your Stories — BESarawak)

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The appointment ensures continuity and stability as BESarawak confidently advances its long-term strategic agenda to drive impact-led, partnership-driven growth and strengthen Sarawak’s position as the legacy capital of business events in Malaysia and Borneo.

Jason brings 18 years of experience in the hospitality and business events industry, with strengths in strategic development, stakeholder engagement, and organisational growth. Since joining BESarawak in 2012, he has held senior leadership roles across Business Development, Research, Marketing, and Communications, building deep institutional knowledge and trusted industry relationships.

Commenting on the appointment, BESarawak Chairman and Deputy State Secretary (Operation) Datu Hii Chang Kee said: “Jason is well-positioned for this role, with strong industry insight and a clear commitment to collaboration and collective impact. The Board is confident that his strategic leadership will further strengthen BESarawak and advance the business events industry to new levels of performance and impact.”

Jason Tan Chin Foo commented: “I am honoured by the trust placed in me to take on this role at a crucial time for BESarawak. I firmly believe collaboration is key to strengthening Sarawak’s business events sector and delivering sustainable, long-term impact across industries and communities. I thank the Board for this opportunity to lead and look forward to working closely with our industry partners and stakeholders to shape the future of business events.” 

For more information on BESarawak, visit: Business Events Sarawak. 

(Source: Your Stories — BESarawak)

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The formal handover, marked by the signing of an official agreement witnessed by BESarawak CEO Amelia Roziman, sees Curtin University Malaysia assume full managerial and operational responsibility for the open-access journal. BESarawak will continue to be recognised as the Founding and Strategic Partner, reflecting its pivotal role in conceptualising and establishing IJBEL.

“The transfer of ownership reinforces BESarawak’s legacy principles of continuity and sustainability, enabling legacy-driven business events to evolve as a field of study,” said BESarawak Deputy Chief Executive Officer Jason Tan Chin Foo. “We will continue to support the journal through advocacy, promotion, and guidance to ensure that IJBEL lives on as shared, global intellectual capital.”

“This Memorandum of Agreement with Business Events Sarawak marks an important step in strengthening academic–industry collaboration to advance research, knowledge sharing, and thought leadership in business events and legacy studies. Through IJBEL, Curtin University Malaysia is proud to provide a credible, internationally aligned platform that brings together academic research and industry perspectives, while enhancing the visibility and impact of business events across academia, industry, and government,” stated Curtin University Malaysia Pro Vice-Chancellor, President, and Chief Executive Professor Vincent Lee Chieng Chen.

IJBEL was established in 2022 as the world’s first journal to focus explicitly on how business events create economic, social, environmental, and cultural legacies. Curtin University Malaysia served as the academic and operational backbone of IJBEL, providing editorial leadership, global reach, and scholarly credibility, while also enabling the journal to bridge industry insights with research.

In 2025, BESarawak and Curtin University Malaysia marked a significant milestone when Korea announced the publication of the 2026 IJBEL Korea Special Edition. Under this collaboration, the Goyang (Korea) Convention Bureau will work closely with Curtin University Malaysia to publish the special edition and host a legacy forum during Goyang Destination Week, further extending IJBEL’s influence as a platform for advancing legacy-driven business events internationally. 

For more information, visit: Business Events Sarawak. 

(Source: Your Stories — BESarawak)

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Supported by strong collaboration across government, industry, academia, communities, and global partners, the campaign has transformed how Sarawak delivers business events, shifting the focus from short-term tourism to long-term economic, social, and environmental impact. This momentum led Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) to its strongest performance to date in 2025, as the organisation approaches its 20th anniversary.

Delivering real economic results

In FY2025, Sarawak secured 160 business events, achieving 115% of its annual target. These secured events, scheduled between 2025 and 2030, are projected to generate a total economic impact of MYR483.5 million.

Projected direct delegate expenditure is MYR262.8 million, generating MYR29 million in tax revenue over 177,453 delegate days. Sarawak also maintained a 100% bid success rate from 2022, demonstrating sustained international confidence in Sarawak’s destination leadership and ecosystem readiness.

Major secured events include the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Conference 2025, the Asian Congress on Occupational Health 2026, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Triennial General Assembly 2026, and the International Council on Archives (ICA) Conference 2027.

On the hosting front, Sarawak successfully delivered 159 business events in 2025, a 27% increase compared to the previous year. The events generated a total economic impact of MYR491.4 million, including MYR267 million in direct delegate expenditure. These events attracted 59,926 delegates, contributed MYR29.5 million in tax revenue, and supported more than 38,000 jobs across the state.

Changing global perceptions 

“I am very proud to announce that 2025 represented the best performance in Sarawak’s business events history,” said the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Sarawak, the Honourable Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, during the Board of Directors Appreciation Dinner.

“We have reshaped how the world looks at Sarawak, from a once-overlooked destination into the legacy capital of business events in Malaysia and Borneo. It is a powerful journey of vision, perseverance, and partnership, and one that we proudly celebrate as we mark our 20th anniversary this year. This is not the achievement of one organisation, but the result of a united ecosystem working with shared purpose.”

The Minister further emphasised that the period from 2026 to 2030 constitutes the final phase of the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, guided by Sarawak’s 13th Malaysia Plan.

“Our next phase must ensure that business events continue to deliver meaningful contributions to our economy, society and environment. Tribe Legacy Sarawak provides the platform to mobilise talent, partnerships and innovation at scale.”

Building a measurable legacy ecosystem

As part of the Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign, Sarawak has embedded impact measurement and legacy design into its business events strategy. Of 166 legacy-focused events secured in 2025, 60 have been selected for a pilot measurement programme; 10 have already been validated, and the remaining 50 are currently being assessed to evaluate economic, social, and community outcomes.

Under the legacy initiative, 13 high-value national and international events have been mobilised across strategic sectors, including hydrogen and carbon markets, the digital economy, healthcare, literacy, and aerospace, directly supporting Sarawak’s PCDS 2030 priorities.

“The last five years focused on building the legacy ecosystem and developing the Legacy Impact Master Action Plan,” said BESarawak Chairman  Datu Hii Chang Kee. “Our next phase will deepen data intelligence, digitalisation, partnerships and talent development — ensuring Sarawak remains globally competitive while delivering sustainable value for our people.”

Global leadership

Through the campaign, Sarawak has set international benchmarks with pioneering platforms including LEGACY360 Education, the Legacy Event Advocacy Policy (LEAP) Summit, the Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards, and the Sarawak Business Events Forum — creating integrated ecosystems for advocacy, education and recognition.

Sarawak also became the first government to adopt the Borneo Legacy Declaration, with the Business Events Sarawak Alliance serving as its first implementation milestone across ministries and agencies.

“We are incredibly proud of how Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign has mobilised the entire ecosystem,” said BESarawak CEO Amelia Roziman. “This campaign proves that when government, industry and communities align around shared purpose, business events become powerful platforms for national transformation and global contribution.”

Sarawak’s leadership has been recognised internationally through the ICCA Award of Appreciation, the Iceberg Excellence Award, and Amelia’s appointment as the first Asian Trustee on the Iceberg Board of Trustees.

Looking Ahead: 2026–2030

As BESarawak marks its 20th anniversary in 2026, the Tribe Legacy Sarawak campaign will focus on accelerating data intelligence, digital platforms, leadership capabilities, and cross-sector partnerships to ensure sustained growth aligned with PCDS 2030, the 13th Malaysia Plan, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The campaign reinforces Sarawak’s ambition not only to host world-class events but also to build a destination and sector driven by a higher purpose, creating enduring legacies that will benefit generations to come. 

For more information, visit: Business Events Sarawak. 

(Source: BESarawak)

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This move marks a decisive shift by the Sarawak Government to reposition business events into long-term instruments for delivering policy outcomes and sustainable development.

The Borneo Legacy Declaration, formed on 3 October during the Legacy Event Advocacy Policy (LEAP) Summit, is a shared commitment by 36 policymakers and industry leaders from Malaysia, Australia, Korea, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Together, they champion legacy impact and the strategic use of business events to drive sustainable economic growth. The first milestone under this declaration is the establishment of the Business Events Sarawak Alliance.

BESA is a new platform that enables Sarawak’s government ministries to own the impact of business events. Starting in 2026, the ministries will enter into a strategic collaboration with BESarawak through BESA, utilising business events as tools to advance policies and deliver positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes aligned with the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030.

The Sarawak government will commit to owning and hosting at least two national or international business events, where homegrown events will be prioritised through a structured qualification process. BESA will also provide capacity-building opportunities for government ministries to strengthen their skills and legacy impact advocacy.

The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak, represented by the Honourable Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, said that business events have been strengthening the state’s competitiveness and earning strong government confidence, as reflected in both a perfect bidding success rate and increased public investment.

“Since integrating business events into the PCDS 2030, 50% of the 541 secured events between 2021 and 2025 are legacy-driven. We have strengthened Sarawak’s value proposition, achieving a 100% success rate in event bidding and pitching in the same period. Additionally, the Sarawak Business Events Fund has been increased by 15% from 2025 to 2026.”

The Premier also highlighted that, since the inclusion of business events in the PCDS 2030, Sarawak has developed 72 homegrown events, including the Borneo International Water & Wastewater Exhibition & Conference and the International Energy Week, demonstrating strong local community support for hosting high-impact events.

Datu Hii Chang Kee, Deputy State Secretary (Operations) and Chairman of BESarawak, emphasised that the growth of business events year after year is due to both strategy and ecosystem, indicating that the sector is on the right path to contributing to the PCDS 2030.

“The next step is building an even stronger ecosystem, with closer collaboration between government and industry, to secure Sarawak’s future. These achievements show that winning high-value, legacy-driven business events is not just about having the right strategy – it is also about how well the ecosystem aligns, collaborates, and contributes at every level.”

BESarawak Chief Executive Officer Amelia Roziman stated that today’s achievement is a big win for the sector. 

“The Sarawak government’s adoption of a legacy impact strategy places us firmly on the right path toward long-term national development. It marks a significant step in bridging knowledge with development outcomes, reinforced by Sarawak’s 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030) and its strong focus on sustainable development. We are deeply proud to have the government’s full support in advancing legacy impact as a pathway to meaningful and lasting growth.”

The forum also introduced Sarawak’s 13th Malaysia Plan, outlining the state’s next phase of development, focused on accelerating inclusive and sustainable growth in line with the PCDS 2030. The plan prioritises high-impact investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, digitalisation, human capital, and rural development, while strengthening key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and services. 

Guided by strong governance and public–private collaboration, Sarawak’s 13MP aims to enhance competitiveness, create quality jobs, uplift communities, and ensure long-term environmental sustainability for shared prosperity.

For more information: https://businesseventssarawak.com/

(Source: Your Stories — BESarawak)

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Her appointment strengthens Asia’s voice in legacy-driven business events and follows her recent recognition as the recipient of The Iceberg Excellence Award.

“This appointment is both a personal milestone and a collective achievement for Asia’s business events community,” Roziman said. “The Iceberg’s mission aligns closely with Sarawak’s vision and my own commitment to delivering meaningful legacies for communities, economies, and the environment. I am honoured to contribute to this work on the global stage.”

With nearly two decades of experience, she emphasised that business events create real social and economic impact. 

“I will continue championing Asia’s growth by drawing on Sarawak’s experience and the values we have built together,” Roziman concluded.

Founder of The Iceberg, James Latham, said Amelia’s leadership makes her an exceptional addition to the Board.

“The Iceberg is built on inclusivity and global representation, and Amelia embodies exactly that,” Latham said. “Her leadership in advancing legacy-driven business events, supported strongly by government, and her commitment to elevating the industry beyond the visitor economy make her invaluable to Sarawak, Malaysia, and the global community.”

Since 2006, Amelia has shaped Malaysia’s business events landscape, leading Sarawak to 29 destination marketing awards and earning 10 professional honours, including becoming the first Asian woman inducted into the Events Industry Council (EIC) Hall of Leaders in 2023.

Amelia joins a distinguished Board of Trustees guiding The Iceberg’s evolution into a charitable trust. Members include Caroline MacKenzie, James Latham, Martin Sirk, Sarah Fleming, Ben Hainsworth, Geneviève Leclerc, Oscar Cerezales, and Gregg Talley, who together oversee The Iceberg’s governance and strategic direction. 

For more information on BESarawak, visit Business Events Sarawak. 

(Source: Your Stories — BESarawak)

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The report chronicles Sarawak’s journey from the founding of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) in 2006 to its rise as one of the world’s most progressive, legacy-driven business events destinations, establishing itself as the legacy capital of business events in Malaysia and Borneo.

“True transformation occurs when we believe in the mission, commit for the long term, focus on real value, embrace necessary disruption, build strategic partnerships, and empower convention bureaux to lead — because their leadership strengthens the entire sector,” said BESarawak CEO Amelia Roziman at a press conference at IBTM World Barcelona.

This journey laid the foundation for one of Sarawak’s most ambitious initiatives: the Legacy Impact Master Action Plan (MAP) 2023–2025, introduced in 2023 as a structured, measurable roadmap to embed legacy outcomes into event design and delivery. With 2025 drawing to a close, Sarawak is approaching the completion of this landmark plan, having achieved far-reaching results that surpass both internal and global expectations.

“Looking back, Sarawak began this journey with ambition and purpose. Today, we have transformed that ambition into real impact. We have built a legacy ecosystem, strengthened government–industry collaboration, and established a model that other destinations now look to for inspiration,” added Roziman. “From 2026 to 2030, we aim to develop a new MAP to continue achieving legacy capital status, implementing a legacy-driven ecosystem powered by data and digital technology.”

At IBTM World Barcelona, Sarawak also hosted an official intention ceremony to adopt the Borneo Legacy Declaration. Established on 3 October 2025 following the Legacy Event Advocacy Policy (LEAP) Summit, the declaration formalises a commitment by policymakers and industry leaders from Asia and Europe to advance the global business events industry, reflecting shared vision and partnership. The LEAP Summit was organised by The Iceberg, presented by the Joint Meeting Industry Council, and powered by BESarawak.

“Sarawak is a great example of adopting this declaration and turning intent into real action. The destination has shown how commitment, collaboration and long-term thinking can elevate not only a region but also inspire global partners to do the same. Sarawak isn’t just signing on, it is demonstrating what meaningful adoption looks like, and we look forward to seeing what’s next from Sarawak,” said The Iceberg founder James Latham.

GainingEdge, Executive Director Gary Grimmer, who served as the consultant for Sarawak’s Legacy Impact Master Action Plan (MAP) 2023–2025, expressed his strong admiration for the cohesion shown by Sarawak’s industry.

“Having consulted destinations around the world on legacy-driven events, Sarawak has performed far better than we ever expected with the Legacy MAP. They have delivered achievements we believed would only materialise after 2025. Their focus on legacy showcases the very best of the destination, demonstrating a level of teamwork and shared vision between government and industry that we rarely see.”

In December, BESarawak will formally adopt the Borneo Legacy Declaration and launch the Business Events Sarawak Alliance (BESA) programme for the government sector, fostering collaboration between BESarawak and 12 government ministries in Sarawak to ensure the legacy-driven ecosystem is integrated across the public sector.

The launch of both the declaration and BESA is scheduled for December. It will be officiated by the Premier of Sarawak, The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.

Sarawak also presented a snapshot of 10 conference case studies, revealing the legacies generated through AI.LEGACY Intelligent Impact Management System that demonstrates how data-driven validation is strengthening the destination’s impact narrative.

For more information on business event opportunities in Sarawak, visit Business Events Sarawak. 

(Source: Your Stories — BESarawak)

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