BE in Sabah 2026 Closes as Asia Pacific Platform for Global Business Events Collaboration

5 February 2026

KOTA KINABALU: The third International Business Events Forum, BE in Sabah 2026, concluded today after two days of structured discussions examining how business events can strengthen regional cooperation, industry capability and economic connectivity across the Asia Pacific.

Held at the Sabah International Convention Centre, the forum attracted strong participation from both local and international stakeholders, reflecting growing interest in regional platforms focused on practical dialogue, professional standards and long-term collaboration.

The closing ceremony was officiated by Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah, Datuk Dr Andi MD Shamzureezal, representing Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah Datuk Jafry Ariffin, who is also the patron of BE in Sabah 2026.

In his closing remarks, Dr Andi said the discussions over the past two days highlighted the increasingly strategic role of business events in facilitating regional engagement, supporting industry professionalism and connecting markets through structured, outcome-oriented platforms.

He stressed that continued cross-border and cross-sector collaboration would be vital in strengthening resilience and competitiveness within the Asia Pacific business events ecosystem.

Unlike traditional destination-focused events, BE in Sabah 2026 was deliberately designed to address industry-wide regional and global issues. Forum sessions covered topics such as market confidence, governance, technology adoption, talent development and cross-border collaboration, reflecting the expanding role of business events as economic and professional infrastructure.

The forum also served as a platform for knowledge exchange and partnership-building among participants from government agencies, international associations, convention bureaux, consultancy firms and private sector organisations, reinforcing its function as a working platform beyond discussion alone.

According to the Organising Chairperson, the strength of BE in Sabah lies in its continuity and relevance. She said each edition builds on the outcomes of the previous forum, with success measured not only by attendance but by the quality of engagement, strengthened relationships and the growth of regional industry capability.

A key outcome of BE in Sabah 2026 was the strengthening of international collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Goyang Convention & Visitors Bureau, Goyang International Expo and the Sabah International Convention Centre during the closing ceremony. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to collaboration beyond individual events, encompassing knowledge exchange, industry development and capacity-building.

The agreement builds on earlier engagements initiated during Goyang Destination Week. Led by Dr Peter Lee, the participation of eight junior management representatives from Goyang further underscored a shared focus on developing future industry leaders through structured exposure and professional exchange.

The collaboration signals ongoing efforts to deepen ties not only with South Korea, but also with other international destinations as part of a broader strategy to strengthen a more connected and resilient business events ecosystem.

As BE in Sabah 2026 draws to a close, the forum has reaffirmed its role as an annual Asia Pacific platform for sustained engagement, professional development and shared industry progress, with the next edition set to build on this momentum amid evolving global business events priorities.