Business Events Sarawak has unveiled several marketing videos to provide domestic organisers with a peace of mind when organising incentives and meetings in the state, and is also in the process of developing a rewards programme for them.
Business Events Sarawak’s acting CEO, Amelia Roziman, shared that the bureau hopes the marketing videos will instil confidence in corporate incentives and meetings organisers by demonstrating several that have already taken place in Sarawak in abidance with the guidelines and SOPs set by the government.
These videos will be uploaded on social media platforms and promoted through related business events digital media platforms.
As the border remains closed to international business events delegates, these promotional activities will be targeted at Sarawak and Sabah in East Malaysia and West Malaysia.
“We are working closely with organisers to understand their needs and we have also created a delegate wellness pack to ease their worries about safety when away from home,” shared Amelia.
Business Events Sarawak is also in the midst of developing a rewards programme for corporate meetings and incentive planners which is expected to be finalised by this year-end and rolled out next year.
Amerlia pointed out that the overall aim was to grow the corporate meetings and incentives segment, which has traditionally been contributing about 15 per cent share of business events to the state. The biggest share is made up of conventions.
Mok Venia, honorary secretary, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Sarawak Chapter) said there is a need for more experiential tours for the corporate incentives segment.
Citing an example, she said: “Instead of selling a tour to Semenggoh Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, we can combine this with a (local experience such as a) manok pansoh (chicken cooked in bamboo) cooking demonstration and lunch.”
To this end, Amelia added that Business Events Sarawak is building its database on tribal-based products that can be showcased as “once in a lifetime unique and authentic experiences that reflect the true beauty and spirit of Sarawak to incentive delegates”.
Meanwhile, The Sarawak Economic Action Council is developing a masterplan for business events in Sarawak for the next 10 years, which include increasing assistance and grants to the sector, and encourage more home-grown events, revealed Hii Chang Kee, permanent secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak.
All were speaking at a recent webinar entitled, Sarawak is open for business, jointly organised by Business Events Sarawak and Conference People.
Last year, Sarawak attracted 99 business events, which attracted 40,000 delegates and direct delegate expenditure of RM122.2 million (US$29.2 million).
