Sabah Convention Bureau promotes its “The State of BEing” proposition, highlights a growing international congress portfolio and prepares to introduce an enhanced business events support scheme for 2027.
Sabah is strengthening its international business events positioning through its participation at IBTM World Barcelona 2026, where the Sabah Convention Bureau (SCB) is inviting international associations and event planners to explore the state’s conference capabilities, distinctive destination offerings and upcoming support incentives.
Returning to IBTM World for the second consecutive year, SCB is exhibiting at the Malaysia Pavilion (Stand K40, No. 6) from 17 to 19 November 2026 promoting its destination proposition, “Sabah: The State of BEing – Where Business is Truly Present”.
Located in Malaysian Borneo, Sabah is positioning itself as a destination that combines purpose-built meeting facilities with its natural landscapes, diverse cultural heritage and community experiences. Its approach is built around three guiding principles: Presence Over Pace, Connection Over Consumption and Purpose Over Performance.
The framework encourages event organisers to look beyond conventional conference programmes by incorporating meaningful engagement, authentic community connections and opportunities to create longer-term benefits for the host destination.
Business events are a vital driver of Sabah’s economic development, industry innovation, and knowledge transfer. By hosting global medical and scientific congresses, we give local practitioners direct access to world-class training while channelling delegate spending into our local SMEs. Sabah offers what conventional urban meeting capitals cannot: modern convention facilities connected directly to living rainforests and ancient marine ecosystems. ~ Noredah Othman, Chief Executive Officer of the Sabah Convention Bureau
International Congresses Strengthen Sabah’s Business Events Portfolio
Sabah’s 2026 business events calendar has included several international and specialist gatherings, particularly in the medical, scientific, engineering and public-sector fields.
Among the events hosted were the RA Asia 2026 and inaugural ASEAN Conference of Point-of-Care Ultrasound, held from 10 to 12 July, which attracted 466 medical practitioners from 16 countries.
Other events included the 13th International Malaysia Spine Society Scientific Congress, attended by 380 orthopaedic specialists from 14 to 16 August; the IEEE Artificial Intelligence in Engineering conference from 9 to 11 September; and the Regional Airway Meeting, which welcomed 533 critical care specialists from 25 to 27 September.
The Kota Kinabalu International Mayors’ Dialogue, held from 12 to 13 October, also brought together representatives from 15 global cities.
These events reflect Sabah’s growing portfolio in attracting knowledge-driven gatherings that support professional development, industry collaboration and international knowledge exchange.
Six Confirmed Business Events Scheduled for 2027
Looking ahead, SCB has outlined six confirmed business events for 2027, with a focus on health, marine science, environmental sustainability and regional industry collaboration.
The calendar includes:
- 28–29 January 2027: BE in SABAH – 4th International Business Events Forum
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2–4 April 2027: 15th Borneo Dental Congress
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21–25 June 2027: 6th Asia-Pacific Coral Reef Symposium (Reef Futures)
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25–27 June 2027: The Sabah International Pharmacy Congress
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11–13 August 2027: Association of Southeast Asian Cinemas Conference (ASEACC)
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5–8 September 2027: 39th Annual Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE)
The range of confirmed events demonstrates opportunities for Sabah to attract specialist associations and international professional communities, while leveraging its strengths in healthcare, environmental research and marine science.
Enhanced Business Events Support Scheme to be Introduced in December
A key development accompanying Sabah’s international market outreach is the planned introduction of its enhanced Business Events Support Scheme for 2027.
Scheduled for official release in early to mid-December 2026, the scheme will provide assistance to international event organisers through bid development and delegate marketing grants.
It will also include tailored site inspections, giving prospective planners the opportunity to visit Kota Kinabalu and experience the destination and its facilities firsthand.
The initiative forms part of the state government’s Sabah Maju Jaya development vision, which emphasises sustainable economic growth and human capital development.
The business events sector is a core driver of our Sabah Maju Jaya vision. Through the Ministry and the Sabah Convention Bureau, we are committed to providing international organisers with robust institutional support and dedicated incentives that create lasting value for both visiting associations and our local communities ~ Datuk Jafry Ariffin, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah
The enhanced scheme is intended to strengthen Sabah’s competitiveness in securing international association meetings and congresses, while generating economic opportunities for local businesses and communities.
Engaging the International Association Market
Through its participation at IBTM World Barcelona, SCB is targeting association planners and business events buyers interested in exploring new destinations for future meetings and congresses.
The bureau’s presence at the Malaysia Pavilion from 17 to 19 November provides an opportunity for prospective organisers to discuss destination capabilities, potential event partnerships and the support available for bringing international gatherings to Sabah.
For more information, visit sabahconventionbureau.com or follow Sabah Convention Bureau on LinkedIn.