Driving change through Legacy Impact

Over the years, Sarawak has grown to become a leader in hosting Business Events that create Legacy Impact. Beyond being mere gatherings, the conferences, conventions, and exhibitions held here are powerful catalysts for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social development.

In the 2024 fiscal year, Sarawak successfully secured 111 business events, surpassing the target of 100 events for the year and generating an estimated RM313.6 million in economic impact, including RM170.4 million from direct delegate expenditure by 38,248 attendees. These figures showcase the transformative power of Business Events in Sarawak, whereby international delegates contribute to job creation, industry development, and long-term investment opportunities.

Business Events in Sarawak offer much more than discussions and networking. Attendees are encouraged to try immersive experiences of the place and connect with its people. This connection transforms them into ambassadors, who will then tell their stories and experiences to colleagues, friends, and communities in their home countries. Word then spreads about Sarawak’s hospitality, business opportunities, and commitment to sustainability, and in turn ignite curiosity and attract more visitors who seek meaningful engagements beyond business discussions.

At the same time, these events leave behind lasting benefits for Sarawak’s people and businesses. Local industries, including hospitality, retail, tourism, and transportation, experience an economic boost, while professionals and students gain valuable insights from global experts. By aligning these business events with Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, the region is ensuring that each Business Event supports economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

BUSINESS EVENTS AS CATALYSTS FOR CHANGE

Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) is the driving force behind Sarawak’s mission to transform Business Events into powerful catalysts for long-term economic, social, and environmental growth. It works closely with government agencies, local businesses, global industry players, and community leaders to ensure that every conference, convention, and exhibition held in Sarawak leaves a meaningful legacy.

BESarawak is responsible for positioning Sarawak as a leading destination for impactful Business Events by focusing on Legacy Impact. Through its innovative BESLegacy initiative, BESarawak has successfully aligned Business Events with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS2030), therefore making sure that these events contribute to Sarawak’s economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

Recognising the need to track and measure event legacies, BESarawak partnered with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) in August 2024 to conduct Malaysia’s first economic and Legacy Impact study, which set a global benchmark for measuring the real-world impact of Business Events. The study aimed to generate updated economic data and develop the world’s first Legacy Impact measurement system. This allowed event organisers to measure their contributions to Sarawak’s future.

BESarawak’s efforts towards sustainability have earned worldwide recognition, including an award in the ‘Best Sustainable Initiative – Destination’ category at the M&C Asia Stella Awards 2024. The award recognises its efforts to integrate sustainability into Business Events, which makes Sarawak a frontrunner in green Business Event practices.

IMPACTFUL INITIATIVES

BESarawak has developed groundbreaking initiatives in its effort to ensure Business Events drive change through Legacy Impact. They include:

• AI.LEGACY With the launch of AI.LEGACY in January 2025, Sarawak became the first destination in the world to introduce an intelligent system capable of tracking and measuring event impact. Developed by BESarawak and UNIMAS, this system ensures that Business Events contribute meaningfully to Sarawak’s economy, social development, and environmental sustainability. Through real-time insights, organisers can see how their event supports local businesses, fosters global collaborations, and encourages green initiatives, reinforcing the idea that an event’s success is not just about delegate numbers but about its lasting contributions to Sarawak’s future.

  

  
  

• BILA Awards

  Besides hosting impactful Business Events, Sarawak also celebrates them. The Borneo Inspire Legacy Awards (BILA) recognise international events that highlight those that have helped industries grow, supported sustainability efforts, and uplifted communities.

  
  

  Originally an extension of the Anak Sarawak Awards, BILA is the first award of its kind in Malaysia and Borneo. It acknowledges events that bring lasting change and prove that gatherings in Sarawak can also help shape a better future.

  

  
  

• LEGACY360

  Sarawak has taken the lead in ensuring the discussion around event legacies continues to evolve. LEGACY360, Southeast Asia’s first forum dedicated to Business Event Legacies, will take place in September 2025, and will bring together industry leaders, sustainability advocates, and policymakers to discuss how events can influence industries, communities, and conservation efforts. Featuring interactive workshops and dialogues, LEGACY360 will explore how event legacies can be measured and maximised, and how knowledge-sharing can lead to real-world impact.

  

  
  

• BESustainability

  Business Events in Sarawak play an essential role in environmental sustainability. Through BESustainability, Sarawak is ensuring that events are planned with eco-friendly practices in mind, therefore reducing their carbon footprint and supporting green initiatives. By aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), BESustainability helps event organisers and attendees understand their role in protecting Sarawak’s forests, rivers, and communities. This ensures that Business Events contribute to long-term sustainability, not harm it.

Over the years, Sarawak has successfully hosted impactful Business Events that have contributed to its economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability. They include anything from international forums that attract global expertise to sustainability-focused summits that promote eco-friendly innovation.

For example, the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference & Exhibition (APGH) 2024 focused on renewable energy solutions and contributed to the push for a cleaner future. The 10th World Congress of Herpetology (WCH 2024), held in August 2024, brought together global experts to discuss the conservation and study of reptiles and amphibians. The congress also benefited local conservation initiatives, supported scientific discoveries, and boosted eco-tourism, which contributed to Sarawak’s economic and environmental sustainability.

The 21st International Congress for Tropical Medicine & Malaria (ICTMM 2024), held in September 2024, focused on global strategies to combat tropical diseases, malaria, and parasitic infections. The event showcased Sarawak’s role in healthcare research and local professionals with access to cutting-edge medical advancements. It also helped shape policies and discussions on disease prevention, improving healthcare access for communities in tropical regions while supporting Sarawak’s reputation as a hub for medical and scientific innovation.

Upcoming events, like the Asian Congress on Occupational Health (ACOH) 2026 and the 15th World Congress and Exhibition on Design and Health (WCDH) 2026, will bring experts to advance discussions on workplace health and sustainable urban planning.

Indeed, Sarawak has proven itself again and again as a powerhouse for events that drive transformation. Guided by BESarawak, the region has successfully integrated Legacy Impact into its Business Events sector, and in doing so has contributed to shaping industries, uplifting communities, and preserving its natural heritage. Groundbreaking initiatives ensure that every event leaves behind tangible benefits that continue long after the delegates have departed. Sarawak is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with, as far as Business Events are concerned. Here, these events don’t just happen, they create Legacy Impact.