The Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) is ready to host the “Be in Sabah” forum for international participants.
This follows the successful hosting of the forum at the Asia-Pacific level from February 29 to March 1, 2024, said SICC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Rosmawati Lasuki during a post-event report meeting at SICC.
The report was shared with the Malaysian Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers (MACEOS) Sabah chapter members as well as strategic partners.
“Based on the report, the direct expenditure on 500 delegates has earned RM588,800, and the total economic impact was RM1.38 million, with tax revenue received at RM35,328. The event has created 100 job opportunities for the people,” said Rosmawati.
“So, this really shows that business events have direct benefits for both individuals and governments in terms of economic spin-offs.
“After the forum, we have also received feedback that many international expos and conferences are keen to organise their events in Sabah because they see us as another new destination,” she added.
The forum has also opened the minds of local participants to business events as this was one of our objectives, she said.
“We are advocating to make locals aware of the benefits generated by business events in Sabah and the government’s role in reaping the spin-offs. It’s a message to the world that Sabah is ready to host business events,” said Rosmawati.
She said the initiative to organise the Be in Sabah forum was to invite international and renowned speakers to promote Sabah.
“All the comments made by the experts about Sabah are a recognition for us, hence we have made our name in the Asia-Pacific region,” she said.
Therefore, next year we will focus on international delegates so that our locals can foster networking, she said, adding that the spin-off will be felt in the local industry from respective countries.
She said the content of the initial forum focused on awareness, so next year it will emphasize business per se to generate revenue for those in the business events industry.
Next year’s forum has been slated for February 27 to 28, with at least 650 participants expected to attend, she said.
Also present was Sabah Convention Bureau Chief Executive Officer Noredah Othman.
