Sarawak’s Vision of Borneo’s Legacy Capital for Business Events

Abstract

The article explores the intricate idea of “legacy” within the context of business events, highlighting its importance not just for individual events, but also for the lasting influence of an organization. Drawing insights from a study by Schot et al., (2023), and more recent critical voices (Lancaster, 2023; Latham, 2023) it underscores the importance of aligning associations’ missions with destinations’ marketing strategies. The role of destinations as enablers in the legacy-building process is highlighted, with a call to prioritize legacy discussions within associations. The article further explores Sarawak’s vision of becoming Borneo’s Legacy capital for business events, detailing legacy impact approaches in Copenhagen and Vancouver. Business Events Sarawak’s (BESarawak) commitment to fostering legacies is showcased through the BESLegacy framework, which aligns with Sarawak’s key areas and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Instruments like the Anak Sarawak Award and the Legacy Ambassador Programme are highlighted as tangible tools for recognizing legacy impacts. The article concludes with case studies of significant conferences and the contributions of individuals emphasizing the broader impacts of business events in Sarawak.