Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) has announced the development of the Sarawak Business Events Analytics and Collaboration Network (Sarawak BEACON), an industry intelligence initiative designed to strengthen how Sarawak uses data and insights to plan, develop and grow its business events industry.
The announcement was made in conjunction with BESarawak’s 20th Anniversary Gala, marking the beginning of a more data-driven chapter for Sarawak’s business events industry after two decades of building its destination capabilities and international presence, at the same time as the Premier of Sarawak, The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Datuk Abang Haji Openg, reinforced the Sarawak Government’s support for the business events industry.
BEACON is envisioned as a central industry intelligence system that will bring together data across areas including accommodation, events, venues, transportation, the industry supply chain and healthcare. Once developed, it is expected to provide government and industry stakeholders with a clearer understanding of Sarawak’s business events capacity, capabilities and development needs.
To advance the development of BEACON, BESarawak signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) with the Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre (SAIC), bringing together BESarawak’s business events expertise and SAIC’s technological capabilities to jointly shape and develop the system.
The initiative comes as Sarawak’s business events industry enters a new phase. After two decades of building its position as a competitive destination, greater intelligence will be needed to understand the industry’s strengths, identify where further development is required and determine how the wider ecosystem can support future demand.
The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak, said the industry’s next phase must be supported by stronger market intelligence.
“As our ambitions grow, the decisions we make must become more informed. We need to understand where our strengths are, where the gaps remain and how the different parts of our ecosystem can work together more effectively,” said the Premier.
“The next twenty years cannot be built on instinct alone. They must be built on data, intelligence, collaboration and evidence. Sarawak BEACON will give us a stronger foundation to understand the industry, identify opportunities and guide the decisions needed to turn greater capacity into greater value for Sarawak.”
Once operational, Sarawak BEACON is expected to support destination planning, event bidding, infrastructure and resource planning, industry development and investment. It will also help identify where closer collaboration may be needed to strengthen destination readiness.
“PCDS 2030 envisions Sarawak as a thriving society driven by data and innovation. Sarawak BEACON reflects that direction by applying data intelligence to the business events sector, helping us better understand where the industry stands today and where development is needed next,” said The Honourable Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak.
“As Sarawak works towards the wider goals of PCDS 2030, stronger data will be increasingly important in guiding planning, investment and the development of competitive and resilient industries.”
Datu Hii Chang Kee, Deputy State Secretary (Operation) and BESarawak Chairman, said Sarawak BEACON will strengthen the industry’s long-term value and preparedness.
“Sarawak BEACON will give Sarawak a stronger understanding of what the industry needs, where our capabilities are strongest and where further development is required,” said Datu Hii.
“As we become more strategic in the events we secure and the impact they leave behind, Sarawak BEACON will act like a compass not only for the industry but also for government, helping identify new opportunities for both hard and soft infrastructure development.”
For BESarawak, the initiative also represents a shift towards a more informed approach to industry development.
“While data on the industry already exists, it is fragmented across different areas. The opportunity now is to bring that information together so we can better understand our strengths, identify gaps and opportunities, and plan more effectively for the future,” said Jason Tan Chin Foo, Chief Executive Officer of BESarawak.
As Sarawak looks to the next generation of data intelligence, the ambition for BEACON goes beyond bringing information together.
“Together with BESarawak, SAIC aims to develop Sarawak BEACON into a sovereign agentic AI platform, one that keeps Sarawak in control of its data while using AI to generate deeper intelligence and support smarter, more proactive decision-making for the industry,” stated Professor Patrick Then, CEO of SAIC.
Over time, Sarawak BEACON aims to build a stronger body of industry intelligence that can support government and industry decision-makers, identify emerging opportunities, and provide a clearer evidence base for future investment and development.
As BESarawak enters its third decade, Sarawak BEACON marks the beginning of a more data-informed approach to shaping the next phase of Sarawak’s business events industry, moving from understanding what has been built to using intelligence to determine what needs to be built next.
About Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak)/Biro Konvensyen Sarawak / 砂拉越会展局
Established by the Sarawak Government in 2006, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) is the destination marketing organisation responsible for attracting high-value business events aligned with the Post covid-19 Development Strategy 2030. Through business events, BESarawak drives visitor expenditure, innovation, global expertise and strategic partnerships – creating economic, social and environmental impact that strengthens Sarawak’s economy, intellectual capital and sustainability. More at www.businesseventssarawak.com.
