Kota Kinabalu: The future of the business events industry depends not on technology alone, but on how effectively young talent is nurtured, empowered and trusted, according to panellists during the 3rd International Business Events Forum (BE in Sabah 2026) at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here.
The “Future Builders: Empowering Talent for Global Industry Transformation” plenary brought together leaders from Indonesia, Spain and Malaysia to discuss workforce challenges and opportunities.
Moderated by Commonwealth Association of Leadership Malaysia (Calm) President Yap Li Ling, the session featured Hosea Andreas Punkat of IECA, Carina Montagut of Feria Valencia, Fiona Hagan of Shangri-La Rasa Ria Kota Kinabalu and John Burke of KLCC.
Hosea highlighted the need for clearer pathways to attract and retain young professionals, particularly in large-scale exhibition operations.
He said structured internships, mentorship and early exposure to industry realities as key solutions.
Carina emphasised the disconnect between academic learning and industry practice, urging closer collaboration between universities and event organisations.
She also raised concerns over knowledge transfer, especially as experienced professionals retire without sufficient mid-level successors.
Fiona shared the hospitality sector’s perspective, noting that events require cross-departmental understanding rather than siloed roles.
She stressed the importance of training systems, cultural storytelling and empowering staff to represent Sabah confidently on the global stage.
John addressed leadership development, arguing that young professionals already possess the skills needed but lack opportunities to gain experience.
He called for trust-based leadership, where teams are allowed to learn through responsibility and controlled risk.
Panelists agreed that while tools such as AI and hybrid formats have evolved, the core of business events remains human-centric.
They emphasised that networking, mentorship and experiential learning cannot be automated or replaced.
The session also highlighted changing workforce expectations, with younger professionals seeking purpose, flexibility and meaningful engagement.
Speakers urged industry leaders to rethink how the sector is positioned to attract the next generation.
The forum concluded with a shared view that empowering talent today is essential to sustaining the global business events industry tomorrow.
The forum drew strong participation from both local and international delegates, underscoring Sabah’s growing profile as a regional business events hub.
Participants from 12 Malaysian states and territories, including Sabah, Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Penang, were represented at the event.
Internationally, delegates attended from 30 countries spanning Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.
These included Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Zambia, among others.
The diverse turnout reflected increasing global interest in Sabah as a destination for business events, talent development and industry collaboration, particularly in the context of workforce transformation and future-ready skills.
