Capitalising on its unique value proposition of legacy impact, the Malaysian state can create sustainable value for both business event planners and local communities
Brought to you by Business Events Sarawak
Hot on the heels of the recent announcement on Sarawak becoming Malaysia and Borneo’s first legacy capital on May 12, the Malaysian state launched the Legacy Impact Master Action Plan (Legacy MAP) 2023-2025 at IMEX Frankfurt in Germany end May.
Developed by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) alongside the Sarawak government and consultancy group, GainingEdge, to define and drive decisions about hosting business events in the state, the Legacy MAP details the course of action for the next three years.
It also aims to leverage the relationship between business events and legacy impact and optimise it to contribute to Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 goals.
With the business events industry being one of the six key priority sectors under tourism in PCDS 2030, the Legacy MAP is designed to support the key outcomes, namely economic prosperity, social inclusion and environmental sustainability, as well as help business event planners create greater value when designing event programmes.
Sarawak will actively seek events that align with PCDS 2030 and prioritise those under the strategy’s six economic sectors (manufacturing, mining, agriculture, forestry, tourism and services) and seven enabling sectors (digital, innovation, education, infrastructure, utilities, transport and renewable energy).
Snowdan Lawan, Sarawak’s deputy minister for tourism, creative industry and performing arts, said: “Legacy impact is Sarawak’s unique value proposition to the world and we believe that this transformative thinking will allow the industry to enjoy greater returns on both objectives and investments.”
The Legacy MAP cements the new narrative that business events can contribute to the five core legacy pillars of sectoral growth, community development, environmental sustainability and good governance on top of economic impact.
A national survey conducted by BESarawak last year indicated that 93 per cent of respondents from Malaysia’s business events industry saw legacy as a positive move to add greater value to business events.
“We have expanded our economic-based business model to include legacy because it is more sustainable as years go by,” said Amelia Roziman, BESarawak, CEO.
“Every stakeholder group in the business events ecosystem has unique areas of interests and influence and the Legacy MAP is going to speak directly to their needs and how they can impact Sarawak’s legacy goals, as well as their event goals. We aim to create value for both sides of the table – business event planners and Sarawak’s local communities.”
Sarawak is well-versed in business events legacies having achieved numerous milestones since 2019. Some included hosting two ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) Congresses twice in four years; launching the Business Events Sarawak Legacy Initiative; creating the world’s first International Journal of Business Events and Legacies; appointing five business events legacy ambassadors under its Business Events Sarawak Legacy Ambassador Programme and now, the Legacy MAP.
Meanwhile, at IMEX Frankfurt, Sarawak also debuted its first standalone pavilion themed Business Events Support Community Development to reflect the destination’s commitment to economic and social development.
Keen to understand how the Sarawak’s Legacy MAP will benefit your business event?
For more information, please contact:
Serena Ong, senior executive for sustainability and legacy impact
serenaong@sarawakcb.com
+6012-887-1229
