Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) is bringing the Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) to East Malaysia for the first time, strengthening professional sustainability standards across Sarawak’s business events sector.
The initiative follows an agreement between BESarawak and the Events Industry Council (EIC), signed at IMEX Frankfurt 2026. The programme will take place in Kuching on 20 and 21 August 2026 and will be open to registered Business Events Sarawak Professional Partners (BESPartners).
The SEPC provides internationally recognised training in sustainable event planning, social impact, supply chain management, accessibility, measurement, reporting and responsible business practices. For Sarawak, the programme forms part of a wider effort to build sustainability knowledge among the professionals and suppliers responsible for delivering business events.
“As part of our strategic pillars of People and Partnerships, as well as Sustainability Leadership, we believe that investing in talent is investing in the future of the industry,” said Datu Hii Chang Kee, Deputy State Secretary (Operation) and Chairman of BESarawak.
Through the programme, BESarawak aims to build a common understanding of sustainability across the business events ecosystem while equipping industry players with practical tools to create longer-term impact.
The initiative also reflects an approach to event sustainability that extends beyond environmental measures. Jason Tan Chin Foo, Chief Executive Officer of BESarawak, highlighted how sustainability can be integrated into decision-making, operations, partnerships, measurement and long-term impact creation across the business events ecosystem.
This is increasingly relevant as international associations, organisations and event owners place greater emphasis on sustainability standards and responsible event delivery. Meeting those expectations requires professionals and suppliers with the knowledge to translate sustainability commitments into practice.
The programme also supports the broader aspirations of Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, including sustainable economic growth, environmental responsibility and inclusive community impact, while aligning with the destination’s legacy-driven approach to business events.
EIC President and CEO Amy Calvert described the initiative as an investment in professional education that can raise industry standards and equip Sarawak’s local business events sector with internationally recognised sustainability practices.
For destinations, the collaboration demonstrates the role professional development can play in moving sustainability from ambition to implementation. Commitments at destination level ultimately need to translate into decisions across event planning, supply chains, accessibility, measurement and reporting.
By introducing SEPC to East Malaysia, BESarawak is investing in the capabilities needed to apply those principles across future business events, while strengthening Sarawak’s position as a destination focused on sustainability and long-term event impact.
