Noredah Othman, the newly-appointed CEO of Sabah Convention Bureau, is presently in the process of registering the bureau as a non-profit agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Environment Sabah.
The bureau’s primary objective is to promote Sabah as a premier destination for business events.
During an interview with TTGmice at the BE in Sabah event, Noredah shared that the state government has allocated a RM5 million (US$1 million) seed grant to cover setup, operational, and marketing costs. Her immediate priorities include the recruitment of staff, with the goal of becoming operational by March.
The BE in Sabah event, held from February 29 to March 1, 2024, is Sabah’s inaugural business events forum, jointly organised by the Sabah International Convention Centre and the Malaysian Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (MACEOS) Sabah Chapter.
In her opening speech at the forum, Christina Liew, the minister of tourism, culture & environment Sabah, described the establishment of the convention bureau as a “game-changer.” She emphasised that this move signifies a strategic approach to elevate Sabah as a premier business events destination in Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Liew explained: “With meticulous planning, innovative ideas, and a commitment to excellence, we can attract conferences, tradeshows, and corporate gatherings that will not only boost our economy but also enrich our cultural fabric.”
She added that business events serve as “catalysts for socio-economic growth”, as hosting conferences creates jobs, stimulates local businesses, and fosters knowledge exchange.
“The impact extends beyond tourism, influencing education, technology, and even policy-making,” Liew stated.
Some high profile business events that will be held in Sabah this year include 18th Asian Federation of Sports Medicine Congress cum 8th ISN International Sports Medicine & Sports Science Conference in April; 11th Sabah Oil, Gas & Energy Conference & Exhibition in June; The World Engineering Science & Technology Congress in September; and Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations in October – November.
