Business Events Sarawak says sustainability and legacy are key to its future events strategy, launching the International Journal of Business Events and Legacies at its 3rd Business Events Tribal Meet.
Sarawak has broken new ground in placing legacy impact and
sustainability at the forefront of its business events sector, having
recently launched the International Journal of Business Events and
Legacies (IJBEL).
This communication platform is the world’s first to merge business
events and legacy topics in one title and the first in Southeast Asia
that is specific to business events.
IJBEL will serve as a tool kit for event planners looking to embrace
the relatively new mindset of business events legacy, which aims to
address impacts beyond the immediate tourism benefits. While corporate
social responsibility (CSR) contributes to a local cause during an event
in the host destination, legacy has longer-lasting impacts aimed at
benefiting the local community or institutions connected to the event’s
purpose.
Speaking at the launch of IJBEL at the 3rd Business Events Tribal
Meet, known as TriBE Assembly, Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Creative
Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said:
“Since business events are part of the state government’s post-Covid-19
Development Strategy 2030, sustainable and legacy-driven events will be
key to achieve our aspiration of economic prosperity, social inclusion
and environmental sustainability.”
IJBEL is a joint effort between Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak)
and the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) to
enhance collaborations within the international industry, with other
partners including Curtin University Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA
and Sarawak Research Society.
The
journal features case studies, research and viewpoints on topics such
as event planning and delivery, and strategies adopted by related
sectors such as hospitality, tourism and economics. IJBEL is also on
track to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals of Quality
Education and Partnership for the Goals.
“The first issue provides excellent insights and knowledge into how
global business event players are evolving and what impacts have been
found until now,” said Amelia Roziman, BESarawak’s CEO.
“Eleven papers have been published and half are reporting on the
legacies and sustainability efforts that their respective events and
destinations have started. Half is already a success for a journal
specific to these topics.”
To date, Sarawak has surpassed its target of securing 90 events by
hosting 94 events (104% achievement) with an estimated total economic
impact of RM303 million (US$69 million); RM165 million from direct
delegate expenditure, RM9.9 million tax revenue and 23,755 jobs for
Sarawak.
Out of 94 events, 81 business events have been assessed with a total
of 570 impacts on the sector, economy, community, environment and
political governance.