The Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in Kota Kinabalu, expects that business events will pick up in 4Q2022, once Malaysia’s borders reopen.
SICC has kept busy hosting meetings, conferences and events for the state government, since business events were allowed to resume in October 2021, albeit with strict standard operating procedures in place, shared SICC’s CEO, Rosmawati Lasuki.
For example, earlier in January, SICC hosted the inaugural Sabah International Business and Economic Summit 2022. Organised by the state government and the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia-Pacific, the two-day hybrid event attracted more than 700 participants from 21 countries. The state also received investments worth RM4.3 billion (US$1 billion) via three Memorandum of Understandings signed at the event.
But SICC has not lost its sight of the global market, and has been actively communicating with prospective clients through virtual site inspections and virtual meetings.
It is also collaborating with stakeholders such as the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers, Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents, Sabah Association of Tour & Travel Agents, Malaysian Association of Hotels, and Sabah Tourism Board, to drive domestic and international business events to the venue.
Adam Kamal, head of contracting and domestic market, ICE Holidays, opined: “In the post-pandemic era, I foresee business events organisers looking for destinations in second-tier cities because it is less crowded, and also because many have already been to Kuala Lumpur.
“Thanks to SICC, Sabah will emerge as a frontrunner for business events in Malaysia because it is the only convention centre located both by the sea and in town, with many international hotel chains of different categories in the vicinity.”
He added that Sabah would also appeal to event organisers, due to the possibility of pre- and post-tours as there are many attractions and nature-based activities for corporate groups, such as paying a visit to the UNESCO-listed Kinabalu Park.
Opened in February 2020, SICC is the largest waterfront purpose-built conference, exhibition and entertainment facility in Borneo.
Rosmawati shared: “We offer more than 40 event spaces, meeting rooms and VVIP lounges. The centre maximises utilisation of function spaces, allowing simultaneous events without any interference.
“Our exhibition hall with direct access to the loading dock can accommodate up to 280 exhibition booths, and the hall can be subdivided into three smaller spaces.”
She added SICC also features an “in-house team of internationally trained culinary experts” which will elevate the dining experience with both new and traditional menus.
On track to open next year is SICC’s Performing Arts Hall, a two-tier amphitheatre with a seating capacity of 1,250, good for performances and concerts.
