BE in Sabah Forum 2025: A Clear Signal That Sabah Is Ready for Bigger Business Events

Datuk Dr. Hajah Rosmawati Hj. Lasuki, JP (CEO, SICC; Organising Chairperson of BE in Sabah)

This morning’s BE in Sabah Forum & MACEOS Sabah Chapter – Industry Connect | Media Preview at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) delivered one message loudly: Sabah is done waiting for opportunities — we’re building our own stage.

The session brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and business event strategists to preview what’s coming in 2026. And if today is any indicator, Sabah is positioning itself as a serious gateway to East ASEAN for global business events.

Adjunct Professor Jessie Jong Chung Jin, A.S.D.K group photo with attendees 

Setting the Tone: Leadership That Understands the Assignment

The event opened with remarks from

Datuk Dr. Hajah Rosmawati Hj. Lasuki, JP (CEO, SICC; Organising Chairperson of BE in Sabah)

Both were aligned on a key point:

Sabah’s competitiveness will depend on our ability to build collaboration-driven, innovation-ready business event ecosystems.

And for once, this wasn’t rhetoric. It was backed by a very structured roadmap.

BE in Sabah 2026: Regional Ambition with Practical Focus

The preview outlined the theme for next year:

“Global Collaboration Through Business Events”

The objective is clear — reposition Sabah as:

● A strategic connector for East ASEAN

● A regional hub for global associations and corporate events

● A platform where business, policy, and innovation intersect

The 2026 forum (4–5 Feb) will bring high-level speakers from Monaco, Japan, France, Belgium, UAE, Hong Kong, Rwanda, Thailand, South Korea, and more.

This is not a cosmetic line-up — these are the people shaping the future of the Business Events (BE) industry.

For Sabah, attracting this level of thought leadership is a direct lift to our national visibility, investment narrative, and policy relevance.

What Stood Out: A Shift From Event Execution to Strategic Influence

The programme places heavy emphasis on:

● Sustainability and environmental responsibility

● AI, data, and technology-driven event innovation

● Talent pipeline development for long-term industry transformation

● Strategic partnerships across borders

● Event design that drives policy change, not just attendance

This is refreshing.

It signals that Sabah is ready to step into the high-value BE economy, not remain a venue-dependent player.