Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is ready to play a stronger leadership and collaborative role in the global business events landscape, positioning itself as a credible regional convenor for East Asean through sustained investment in people, partnerships and professional standards, said **BE in Sabah 2026 Forum Organising Chairperson Datuk Dr Rosmawati Haji Lasuki.
“This region is increasingly prepared not only to participate, but to contribute meaningfully and to have a stronger voice in international business events conversations,” she said during the closing ceremony on Thursday.
This ceremony marks the end of the two-day structured engagement to examine how Business Events can support regional cooperation, industry capability and economic connectivity across Asia Pacific, attended by policymakers, industry leaders and practitioners alike.
Rosmawati, who is also the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers (Maceos) Sabah Chair and SICC Chief Executive Officer, further reinforced the State’s position through its active engagement with international bodies such as ICCA, whose leadership recognises business events as structured environments that enable trust-building, knowledge exchange and meaningful collaboration.
“Sabah’s alignment with these global principles proves its understanding of international expectations and its preparedness to operate within globally accepted frameworks,” she added.
She acknowledged Maceos Malaysia President Datuk Dr M Gandhi’s guidance and vision in providing a clear direction for industry players to engage more confidently at a regional level, as well as shaping platforms such as BE in Sabah as conduits for cross-border exchange, partnership-building and capability development.
Additionally, through Maceos Sabah Chapter’s regional outlook and cross-border engagement, she noted that the State is in a suitable position to connect and convene with neighbouring economies, facilitating collaboration, market access and shared growth.
A key outcome of BE in SABAH 2026 is the strengthening of international collaboration, marked by the Memorandum of Understanding between the Goyang Convention & Visitors Bureau, Goyang International Expo and the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), signalling ongoing efforts to deepen ties not only with South Korea, but also with other international destinations as part of a broader strategy to build a more connected, capable and resilient BE ecosystem.
Rosmawati also highlighted the importance of long-term capacity building through initiatives such as the Certified Event Designer (CED) programme, the BE Boot Camp and the BE Youth Hub as they reflect the State’s strategic understanding that global competitiveness is built through people, skills and professional standards.
She stressed that it is through structured training, certification, and youth engagement that the State is able to cultivate a pipeline of capable professionals who can design, bid for, and deliver events that meet international expectations.
When it came to the execution of BE in Sabah 2026, she mentioned that the improved planning and visible application of these learnings demonstrates a journey is progressive and results-oriented, translating policy and education into tangible outcomes.
“BE in Sabah is not an end point, but part of a longer and deliberate journey – one shaped by commitment, consistency and a willingness to learn and adapt over time.
“Sabah remains committed to playing its role as a host, collaborator and contributor to regional and international conversations,” she concluded.
