Three former CEOs reflect on the decisions, risks and relationships that shaped two decades of business events leadership in Sarawak.
When three former BESarawak CEOs sat down to reflect on the bureau’s first two decades, the conversation quickly became about more than milestones. It became a story of bold decisions, unexpected turns and the people who shaped each chapter.
As Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) celebrates its 20th anniversary, Jill Henry, Mike Cannon and Amelia Roziman look back on the moments that defined their leadership, the lessons they carried forward and the legacy they leave behind.
Their paths into leadership were different, but each inherited a bureau that was evolving in its own way. Rather than starting over, every generation built on the work of the one before it. That continuity has helped transform BESarawak from a bureau of nine people into an internationally recognised business events destination.
Today, its story is not defined by milestones alone. It is a story of partnerships, resilience, innovation and the people who made those achievements possible.
It Started With a Bigger Vision
Before BESarawak became a recognised name in the global business events industry, it was an ambitious idea backed by an equally ambitious vision.
As Sarawak prepared for the development of the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), the Sarawak Government recognised that a world class venue alone would not attract world class conventions. The state needed an organisation dedicated to bringing those opportunities to Sarawak and competing internationally.
That became BESarawak’s purpose.
Looking back, Jill Henry laughs at the irony that she never expected to become the person helping build it.
“I was the leader who was never meant to be a leader.”
When she joined in 2006, the bureau consisted of just nine people working from a small office. There was no established playbook, only a shared belief that Sarawak could compete on the global stage.
When Mike Cannon succeeded Jill in 2012, he expected to build BESarawak’s international presence. Instead, he discovered that much of the groundwork had already been laid. His role became one of strengthening relationships with government, expanding global partnerships and helping the bureau navigate an evolving business events landscape after the global financial crisis.
Amelia Roziman entered the story from yet another perspective.
She began as a sales coordinator, learned under Jill’s leadership, grew professionally during Mike’s tenure and eventually became BESarawak’s third CEO. She often describes herself as “the daughter” of both leaders, a reflection of the mentorship that shaped her career.
Three journeys. One continuous story.
Stepping Into Leadership
Although each inherited a different organisation, one experience connected them all.
None felt completely prepared.
Jill Henry (2006 to 2012)
Building a Foundation from Nothing
When Jill took the helm, BESarawak existed more as an ambitious idea than an established organisation. With only nine people in a small office, there was no proven formula for success and no certainty that Sarawak could compete for international business events.
Looking back, she described herself as “the leader who was never meant to be a leader.”
That pioneering mindset became part of BESarawak’s DNA. She encouraged her team to experiment, take calculated risks and step beyond their job descriptions. Some of the bureau’s earliest breakthroughs happened simply because someone was willing to try something that had never been done before.
For Jill, leadership was never about having every answer. It was about giving people enough trust and freedom to find their own.
Her philosophy was refreshingly simple.
“Not scared to break the rule to get that. Do it now. We’ll apologise later.”
Jill Henry (2006 to 2012)
Building a Foundation from Nothing
When Jill took the helm, BESarawak existed more as an ambitious idea than an established organisation. With only nine people in a small office, there was no proven formula for success and no certainty that Sarawak could compete for international business events.
Looking back, she described herself as “the leader who was never meant to be a leader.”
That pioneering mindset became part of BESarawak’s DNA. She encouraged her team to experiment, take calculated risks and step beyond their job descriptions. Some of the bureau’s earliest breakthroughs happened simply because someone was willing to try something that had never been done before.
For Jill, leadership was never about having every answer. It was about giving people enough trust and freedom to find their own.
Her philosophy was refreshingly simple.
“Not scared to break the rule to get that. Do it now. We’ll apologise later.”
Mike Cannon (2012 to 2017)
Strengthening the Foundation
When Mike arrived, he found an organisation with a strong platform already in place. Rather than rebuilding it, he focused on strengthening government relationships, expanding international partnerships and positioning BESarawak for the next phase of growth.
The transition also meant learning how to lead within Sarawak’s unique culture. Instead of bringing familiar approaches from Australia, he chose to listen first, earn trust and lead collaboratively.
One moment still stays with him.
“I smelt the air and thought, I’m coming home.”
His leadership was guided by another simple principle.
“We will find a way, or we will make one.”
It became more than a motto. It was the mindset that helped him navigate uncertainty, and one he credits to the remarkable team around him.
Mike Cannon (2012 to 2017)
Strengthening the Foundation
When Mike arrived, he found an organisation with a strong platform already in place. Rather than rebuilding it, he focused on strengthening government relationships, expanding international partnerships and positioning BESarawak for the next phase of growth.
The transition also meant learning how to lead within Sarawak’s unique culture. Instead of bringing familiar approaches from Australia, he chose to listen first, earn trust and lead collaboratively.
One moment still stays with him.
“I smelt the air and thought, I’m coming home.”
His leadership was guided by another simple principle.
“We will find a way, or we will make one.”
It became more than a motto. It was the mindset that helped him navigate uncertainty, and one he credits to the remarkable team around him.
Amelia Roziman
Chief Operating Officer (2017–2020) | Chief Executive Officer (2020–2026)
From Foundation to Lasting Legacy
For Amelia, BESarawak was never simply a workplace. It was home. Having grown from sales coordinator to CEO, she experienced the organisation from almost every angle.
Jill and Mike’s mentorship extended far beyond management. They encouraged her to step beyond her job description, whether creating Sarawak’s first Meeting Planner’s Guide, travelling overseas to learn from other destinations or challenging conventional thinking that later earned international recognition.
More importantly, they gave her the confidence to take risks. That freedom to innovate became an important part of BESarawak’s evolution into its Legacy Impact era.
Her biggest shift as a leader came when she stopped believing she had to carry the organisation alone. Instead, she saw her greatest responsibility as creating opportunities for others to become leaders themselves.
That philosophy shaped Legacy Impact, expanding BESarawak’s role beyond attracting business events to creating lasting value for communities.
Perhaps her defining leadership moment was asking people to believe in Legacy Impact long before its results became visible. Changing mindsets across the industry was never immediate. It demanded persistence, difficult conversations and confidence in a long term vision. Looking back, she sees that journey as proof that meaningful transformation rarely happens overnight.
Her message to future leaders remains straightforward.
“Keep building. Keep evolving. If the industry changes, have the courage to change with it.”
Amelia Roziman (2020 to 2026)
From Foundation to Lasting Legacy
For Amelia, BESarawak was never simply a workplace. It was home. Having grown from sales coordinator to CEO, she experienced the organisation from almost every angle.
Jill and Mike’s mentorship extended far beyond management. They encouraged her to step beyond her job description, whether creating Sarawak’s first Meeting Planner’s Guide, travelling overseas to learn from other destinations or challenging conventional thinking that later earned international recognition.
More importantly, they gave her the confidence to take risks. That freedom to innovate became an important part of BESarawak’s evolution into its Legacy Impact era.
Her biggest shift as a leader came when she stopped believing she had to carry the organisation alone. Instead, she saw her greatest responsibility as creating opportunities for others to become leaders themselves.
That philosophy shaped Legacy Impact, expanding BESarawak’s role beyond attracting business events to creating lasting value for communities.
Her message to future leaders remains straightforward.
“Keep building. Keep evolving. If the industry changes, have the courage to change with it.”
The Decisions That Changed Everything
Every CEO remembers one decision that changed the way they led.
For Jill, it was giving people permission to experiment. She trusted her team to learn through experience, even when the outcome was uncertain.
For Mike, it was holding onto the belief that there was always another way forward.
“We will find a way, or we will make one.”
For Amelia, it meant asking people to believe in Legacy Impact long before its results became visible. Changing mindsets across the industry was never immediate. It demanded persistence, difficult conversations and confidence in a long term vision. Looking back, she sees that journey as proof that meaningful transformation rarely happens overnight.
The Culture They Built
Perhaps the most revealing part of the conversation came when they were asked what they remembered most.
None chose an award. None mentioned a headline. They talked about people.
For Jill, one of her proudest achievements is seeing former staff become business owners, innovators and leaders in their own right.
Mike describes BESarawak as the strongest team he worked with throughout his career.
“The team is everything. Without the team, what is leadership?”
For Amelia, it is the friendships that outlasted job titles, where colleagues became family and years of working together created lifelong bonds.
Even team building retreats became something more than workplace activities. They became reminders of why everyone showed up each day.
“Real family, real friendship, not only professional but personally, growing together.”
It is the kind of legacy that rarely appears in annual reports.
BESarawak’s culture was built not only through strategy, but through trust, friendship and people growing together through every season.
Passing the Baton
As the conversation turned towards the future, one question remained. What advice would they leave for the next generation of leaders?
Jill‘s answer reflected the curiosity that shaped her own journey. Protect the bureau’s reputation, she said, but never become trapped by past success. The next breakthrough could come from anyone.
Mike‘s advice centred on fairness, integrity and the importance of never stopping learning.
Amelia‘s message was perhaps the most personal.
“Don’t try to become the next Jill.
Don’t try to become the next Mike.
Don’t try to become the next Amelia.
Be your own version.”
She knows that better than most. She did not become CEO by copying the leaders before her. She grew from what they taught her and found her own way of leading. Her advice is simple: become the best version of yourself, build strong teams and never stop growing.
The Journey Isn’t Finished
When asked what they still wished they had achieved, none spoke about personal accomplishments.
Jill still dreams of seeing business events become part of every government linked organisation’s performance agenda.
Mike believes Sarawak deserves a single destination brand that brings together tourism, business events, trade, investment and education.
Amelia leaves without regrets. Instead, she hands the next chapter to those who come after her.
“The challenges ahead aren’t my time anymore. They’re yours.”
There is a quiet wisdom in those words. Leadership is knowing when to step forward. It is also knowing when to let others take the baton.
The Legacy Lives On
Looking back, the conversation becomes more than a reflection on BESarawak’s first 20 years. It becomes a portrait of how leadership evolves.
Jill Henry built the foundation.
Mike Cannon strengthened the structure.
Amelia Roziman transformed that foundation into a movement centred on lasting impact.
Today, that legacy continues under a new generation of leadership.
As current BESarawak CEO Jason Tan reflected during the conversation:
His words captured what the conversation had been building towards all along.
BESarawak’s story has never been about one CEO replacing another. It has always been about one generation giving the next a stronger foundation to build on.
As BESarawak celebrates its 20th anniversary, BESarawak CEO Unscripted becomes more than a conversation between former and current leaders. It is a reminder that the strongest legacies are never built by one person. They are built when one generation has the courage to begin, another has the vision to strengthen it, and the next has the confidence to take it somewhere new.
The story is still being written.