Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak, urged MICE professionals to shift the focus of events from just profit to real purpose at the LEGACY360 Education session. Photo Credit: Anis Ramli
Business events are not just good for tourism. When planned with a purpose, they can have long-lasting impact on the communities and destinations that host them.
At the inaugural LEGACY360 organised by Business Events Sarawak at the Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching from 2-3 October 2025, around 500 policymakers and industry leaders came together to explore how events can drive social, environmental and economic change long after the curtain falls.
“LEGACY360 is the result of years of dedicated research into business event legacies, and strong collaboration with national and international partners. The cycle of business events is: learn, act, repeat. That is how we create legacy and drive impact together,” said Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak.
“Our ambition today is to demonstrate that meaningful, sustainable impact is the new, essential measure of success for our industry. We must choose to be the generation that shifts the entire industry’s focus from just profit to real purpose.”
So how can business events create legacy? Here are the three takeaways:
“I” is for intention
Legacy starts with a clear goal. As Nigel Brown of BestCities Global Alliance shared in “Step into Impact – Unlocking Local Organisers’ Potential”, organisers must define what change they want before planning the event. He cited the 14th Autism-Europe Congress in Dublin, where early stakeholder engagement led to toolkits and accessibility standards.
“The real legacy lies in how these resources now drive inclusive hiring and accessibility practices,” said Brown. “In addition, Dublin is now working towards becoming Europe’s first accredited autism-friendly city and a model for others.” In short, clear goals lead to measurable impacts.
Policymakers and industry leaders cast sights far into the future at BE Sarawak’s inaugural LEGACY360 Education session. Photo Credit: Anis RamliOutcome over recognition
Lost that international bid? Don’t sweat it, said M Gandhi, president, Malaysian Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (MACEOS).
“We lost the bid for a hydrogen conference one year, but because hydrogen is important to Sarawak, we decided to hold our own Hydrogen Economy Forum earlier this year. We brought the idea to the Premier, who supported it, because it aligned with the state’s vision to become a regional leader in hydrogen production and technology.”
The lesson? Don’t just chase international recognition – focus on what strengthens your community and supports your nation’s goals.
People matter
Too often, organisers focus on delegate numbers, venue aesthetics, or even carbon footprint, but real legacy lies in how an event touches the local community.
Mona Abdul Manap, CEO of Place Borneo, shared how the Rabies in Borneo Conference 2025 went beyond knowledge-sharing. “While global delegates discussed strategies to curb the outbreak, those carrying out vaccinations on the ground were the Iban, Bidayuh and Malay communities who generally spoke only Malay. For this conference, we partnered with HONOR to sponsor translation-enabled phones, ensuring local volunteers could understand and benefit from the insights.”
LEGACY360 Education is one of four pillars under BESarawak’s LEGACY360 initiative, which positions Sarawak as a leader in moving business events beyond economic outcomes towards measurable, transformative impact.
The other programmes include the LEAP Summit, Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards, and Kind Borneo, a one-day expo connecting NGOs with associations and corporates to foster collaborations that make events a force for good.