of business events mainly in Kuching, the state capital. Now, despite suffering cancelled events and economic losses in the past two years, it’s coming up with new initiatives to secure more legacy conferences. No fewer than 13 sectors have been identified and targeted for social and economic growth supported by conferences: digital transformation, innovation, education and human capital, manufacturing, commercial agriculture, tourism, forestry, mining, social services, basic infrastructure, transport, utilities and renewable energy. “Legacy is a snowball effect,” explains Roziman. “When you achieve your desired return on objectives, you’re also achieving a return on investment. A legacy is not a CSR activity. A CSR activity is just one of many vehicles to promote legacy. As the pioneer of legacy impact in Malaysia, Sarawak is able to provide the resources and support for organisers to deliver legacy-driven conventions.” She adds that Sarawak is also a technologically connected destination capable of hybrid events and one that cares about environmental sustainability. Zoey Ting, president of the Sarawak Digital Media E-Platform Association, agrees. “The
organisations in Sarawak to invest in and organise home-grown events. As a result, it will host the Asia Pacific Tourism Expo & Conference and Travel Mart Exchange in September and Engage and Taste Borneo (E.A.T. Borneo) in October. Nevertheless, many other significant international conferences are coming to the centre this year and next, including the 18th International Conference on Clean Energy,
NEW BUILDS SHERATON HOTEL
Five-star, 22-storey high-rise in the heart of Kuching with a conference centre, expected to open 2024. CIDB CONVENTION CENTRE, KUCHING 4,800 sqm gross floor area with a capacity of 800 people. STARLINK HOTEL, SIBU Just opened, with 144 guest
the Men’s Health World Congress, the World Engineering, Science & Technology Congress, the World Traditional Medicine Forum and XXIX International Primatological Conference. “We have been focusing on upgrading our facilities and a long- deserved revamp - after all, we have been here for over 10 years!” says van Peggelen. “It will lead to increased
rooms and four function rooms accommodating a total 200 people.
No fewer than 13 sectors have been identified and targeted for social and economic growth supported by conferences
Sarawak government actively promotes the development of digital technology,” she says. “At the Borneo Digitech Forum in March, we found that young people are very interested in this topic and everyone hopes to apply the latest technology to their work and life.” Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) is another of the main catalysts in Sarawak ensuring growth in the meetings market. During the pandemic, the centre had its fair share of event cancellations and postponements, often without any promise of when or if the event would ever take off. “This encouraged BCCK to begin producing its own home-grown events,” says CEO Eric van Peggelen. “The idea is to grow these events and roll them out in the region in the future.” The centre has signed an MoU with several
functionality, efficiency and ease, whether it is digitising and automating our behind-the-scenes processes or creating new products and services for our clients to use.” The BCCK website has been updated and AV upgrades implemented throughout the centre for improved in-person, virtual and hybrid events and digital signage of various sizes has been introduced to reduce print waste and labour. The centre can seat up to 5,000 delegates in plenary, 2,000 in the banquet hall, has 14 meeting rooms, 8,815 sqm of exhibition space and a public restaurant. It’s a 15-minute drive from Kuching city centre and 20 minutes from Kuching International Airport. Most long-haul visitors arrive there via the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. The flight takes about one-and- three-quarters of an hour.
CONTACT ANEDIA KAHAR Head of Business
Research & Development Business Events Sarawak
T: +60 (0)82 242 516 F: +60 (0)82 242 519
E: anedia@sarawakcb.com businesseventssarawak.com
AMIMAGAZINE.GLOBAL 2022 #1 61
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