By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, April 28: Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) is calling on industry players throughout the world to submit entries for the prestigious Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards (BILA) 2025, which recognises outstanding contributions that create lasting impacts in the business events sector.
Open for submissions until June 15, 2025, BILA 2025 aims to honour individuals and organisations who have made exceptional achievements in the fields of legacy, sustainability, and innovation.
Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said there are four main categories under BILA 2025, namely Conventions Legacy Excellence, Exhibitions Legacy Excellence, Corporate Meetings & Incentives Corporate Social Responsibility, and Sarawak Industry.
“The four main categories share the same subcategory pillars, whereby submissions can be focused on Social, Economic, or Environmental achievements, or Honorary, which consists of all three achievements,” he said during a press conference held at the Baitulmakmur II building here today.
He also said there is a special category for Journalism, with subcategories of Broadcast and Print/Online.
Abdul Karim further noted that Sarawak is evolving as a purpose-driven destination, strategically aligned with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
“Sarawak champions business events that align with purposeful progress and long-term impact through three transformation initiatives.
“Firstly is the AI.LEGACY Intelligent Impact Management System, the world’s first system for monitoring, measuring, and reporting business event legacies.
“Secondly is LEGACY360, Southeast Asia’s first homegrown event dedicated to the education, advocacy, and advancement of business event legacies.
“The third one, which is our focus today, is the Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards,” he added.
Meanwhile, BESarawak chief executive officer Amelia Roziman said submissions must be aligned with the legacy measurement framework offered by BESarawak to journalists and industry partners.
She explained that a legacy submission briefing is available to assist participants.
“If you have an idea, you can sit down with us. We will assist in filling out the form and ensuring your entry is the best for the category you are submitting for,” she said, adding that this support is also extended to professional conference organisers, associations, government sectors, and Sarawak’s industry partners.
Previously known as the Anak Sarawak Awards, BILA 2025 is an evolved form that has expanded its scope to accept and recognise global contributions, as inspired by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Eligible participants include organisers of corporate meetings, conventions, incentives and exhibitions, government bodies, corporations, industry suppliers, journalists, and other related professionals from Malaysia and around the world.
BILA nominees must have made their achievements between 2023 and June 2025 to qualify. Nominations can be made by individuals and organisations connected to the business events sector. Self-nominations are accepted and nominations are open globally.
All nominations must be submitted through the official BILA 2025 online platform. For submission guidelines and further details, visit https://legacy360.businesseventssarawak.com/.
For more information on the Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards, visit https://legacy360.businesseventssarawak.com/bila-2025/#overview.
Also present during the press conference were Deputy Ministers of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting (Tourism) and Datuk Snowdan Lawan (Creative Industry and Performing Arts); BESarawak chairman Dato Sri Abang Abdul Karim Tun Abang Openg; Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Operations) and BESarawak deputy chairman Datu Hii Chang Kee; Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) permanent secretary Datu Sherrina Hussaini; BESarawak Board member Professor Dr Margaret Chan Kit Yok and Economic Planning Unit (EPU) Assistant Director for Sectoral Planning Division, Rahmatullah Affandy. — DayakDaily
