Friday, May 23, 2025
Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) proudly announces the launch of the International Journal of Business Events and Legacies (IJBEL) Volume 3 Issue 2 during the prestigious IMEX Frankfurt 2025 — the global business events industry’s leading trade exhibition. This launch signifies a pivotal advance in strengthening the research foundation supporting business events as engines of economic growth, sustainability, and transformational legacy.
As highlighted by government sources such as Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and international bodies like the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), business events are crucial drivers of socio-economic development and innovation. IJBEL uniquely serves as the world’s only academic journal dedicated exclusively to exploring the nexus of business events, legacies, and global development, positioning Sarawak at the forefront of research-backed business event strategies.
Elevating Business Events through Rigorous Academic Inquiry
Since its inception, IJBEL has been instrumental in enriching the discourse on how business events can catalyse long-term benefits beyond immediate economic returns. Volume 3 Issue 2 deepens this exploration by presenting a curated collection of peer-reviewed articles, empirical case studies, and forward-looking perspectives contributed by leading scholars, policymakers, and event industry practitioners.
The journal’s new edition addresses contemporary challenges and opportunities in the business events landscape, ranging from sustainable event planning and legacy creation to policy alignment and industry innovation. This focus resonates with the goals articulated by global development frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which underscore the importance of leveraging business events for inclusive growth and environmental stewardship.
Sarawak’s Strategic Role in Business Events Research and Legacy Creation
The journal launch at IMEX Frankfurt amplifies Sarawak’s leadership in fostering research-driven business event strategies. BESarawak’s commitment aligns closely with Malaysia’s national agenda outlined in the Malaysia Tourism Transformation Plan and Sarawak’s own Post-COVID Development Strategy 2030. Both emphasize the transformative power of well-curated business events in attracting investment, nurturing talent, and promoting sustainable economic growth.
Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, underscored this synergy in his remarks:
“Congratulations to all involved in advancing research that strengthens the foundation of business events. For Sarawak, data-driven research strengthens our ability to align business events with economic priorities, such as sustainable development, investment attraction, and talent growth. With a structured, data-driven approach, Sarawak’s business events can be catalysts for long-term legacy impact, ensuring every meeting, incentive, conference, and exhibition contributes meaningfully to our Post-COVID Development Strategy 2030.”
This statement reflects Malaysia’s broader governmental recognition that sustainable event legacies contribute not only to economic metrics but also to cultural enrichment, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration, as reflected on the official portals of Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism and the Sarawak State Government.
Bridging Academia and Industry: The Collaborative Framework of IJBEL
IJBEL’s development is a testament to collaborative efforts spanning academia, industry, and government. Curtin University Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, and the Sarawak Research Society form the academic backbone, while the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) serves as the exclusive international association partner, lending global expertise and reach.
ICCA CEO and IJBEL Advisory Board Chairman Senthil Gopinath praised the partnership:
“IJBEL stands as a pioneering platform dedicated to advancing research, knowledge, and thought leadership in the global business events industry. As the journal matures, it is now ready to stand independently as a leading platform for business events research and legacy impact. We call upon all business events associations, industry leaders, and convention bureaus to join IJBEL in advancing knowledge, shaping policy, and driving meaningful change in the global business events landscape.”
Such calls for cross-sector cooperation echo best practices endorsed by government event bureaus worldwide, which increasingly emphasize data-driven decision-making and research-informed policy frameworks to maximize the impact of business events.
Insights from BESarawak Leadership
Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak, highlighted the practical importance of research for designing impactful events saying that understanding how global markets respond to business events is crucial for Sarawak to design events that attract international stakeholders.
They extend their deepest gratitude to all who contributed to this report—their research partners, industry stakeholders, and the dedicated professionals who have worked tirelessly to shape this comprehensive study. Their expertise and commitment have been instrumental in driving Sarawak’s business events industry forward, ensuring that every event leaves a lasting legacy.
Her statement aligns with government efforts to position Sarawak as a premier destination for international business events, in line with Malaysia’s tourism and economic diversification objectives.
Multidisciplinary Perspectives Fueling Innovation
Now in its third year, IJBEL continues to provide a multidisciplinary perspective essential for advancing the business events sector. The journal combines academic rigor with real-world relevance by featuring:
- Detailed case analyses of successful business event legacies
- Empirical studies on the socio-economic impacts of business events
- Innovative frameworks for sustainable event management
- Insights into policy development and stakeholder engagement
This approach fosters knowledge exchange that benefits academics, industry practitioners, policymakers, and destination managers alike. Such synergy supports the strategic priorities outlined by governments internationally, including the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and Singapore Tourism Board, which advocate research-informed event planning to optimize economic and social outcomes.
Enhancing Global Connectivity and Knowledge Exchange
IJBEL also serves as a platform for showcasing destinations and their business event offerings, positioning Sarawak on the global stage as a hub for innovation and collaboration. The journal’s launch at IMEX Frankfurt—a major international venue attracting thousands of industry stakeholders—provides unparalleled visibility and networking opportunities.
The event’s significance is reinforced by references on IMEX’s official communications and government tourism portals that highlight the role of business events in stimulating global partnerships and driving sustainable economic development.
Conclusion: A Forward-Looking Platform for Business Event Legacy Impact
The launch of IJBEL Volume 3 Issue 2 by BESarawak at IMEX Frankfurt 2025 is more than a publication milestone. It represents a strategic leap toward embedding research, data, and collaboration at the heart of the global business events ecosystem.
This initiative embodies government-endorsed principles emphasizing sustainable development, economic diversification, and knowledge-driven growth through business events. As the journal matures, it offers a vital resource for shaping policies, inspiring innovation, and ensuring that business events deliver meaningful, long-term legacies.
Tags: IMEX Frankfurt 2025, Sustainable
