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Jeannie Lim, Executive Director Conventions, Meetings & Incentive Travel, Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB)
Did you know that...
+ At just 710 square kilometres, Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the region and the world. However, it has been recorded as the Top International Meeting Country for the 3rd consecutive year and the Top International Meeting City for the 7th consecutive year by the Union of International Associations (UIA) in 2013. That same year, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) also awarded Singapore as Asia’s Top Convention City for the 12th consecutive year.
+ Singapore’s strong global trade and communications networks provide market access and trade flows between Asia Pacific and the world. Strategically positioned in the middle of this fast-growing region, Singapore is the perfect launchpad to access the emerging markets of ASEAN, China and India, and is able to reach out to close to 4 billion people within a 7 hour flight radius.
+ Singapore is the home base of thought-leadership across various knowledge industries such as banking & finance, biomedical sciences and energy & environment. The presence of over 7,000 multinational companies and around 150 International Non-Profit Organisations (INPOs) contributes to a dynamic business and knowledge environment. As a result, the World Bank has awarded Singapore the World’s Easiest Place to do Business for the 8th time in 2014.
Where to meet?
Singapore offers an excellent range of state-of-the-art convention centres, exhibition halls, and meeting venues that suit a variety of Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibition (MICE) needs and budgets. The major convention centres of Marina Bay Sands, Singapore EXPO and Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre offer the convenience of a wide range of accommodation, food, shopping, and entertainment options in close proximity. These new and existing venues for MICE offer approximately 340,000 square metres of MICE space.
In Singapore, sustainable practices are incorporated into meeting facilities. The Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre received the prestigious ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management System certification. Many Singapore attractions also meet the growing demand for more interesting and nontraditional meeting venues and experiences such as S.E.A. Aquarium, Universal Studios Singapore® and Gardens by the Bay.
Where to stay?
With more than 150 hotels and over 50,000 rooms, there is an answer to every budget and preference – from no-frills accommodation to boutique hotels, modern business hotels and luxury beach resorts. Currently, more than 50 per cent of Singapore’s room inventory are in the mid to upper scale categories.
Most hotels offer fully-equipped business centres, meeting facilities, broadband Internet access and other conveniences for business travellers. Newly opened hotels include Sofitel So, PARKROYAL on Pickering, The Westin Singapore, Carlton City Hotel Singapore, Dorsett Singapore and Holiday Inn Express amongst many others.
How to get there?
Singapore Changi Airport is the fifth busiest international airport in the world and serves more than 100 international airlines flying to some 270 cities in 60 countries and territories worldwide. With more than 6,600 weekly scheduled flights, an aircraft takes off or lands approximately once every 100 seconds.
Any special services/assistance for associations?
The Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) offers meeting planners customised support and assistance for associations looking to hold their meetings and conventions here in Singapore. Convention bureau staff is at hand to provide advice and make recommendations to help you secure venue spaces, make introductions to leading government agencies and business partners as well as provide marketing support on the YourSingapore.com portal for example.
The Business Events in Singapore (BEiS) scheme extends financial incentives support to organisers of Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE), on fulfilment of specified deliverables. Grants are extended on a reimbursement basis.
The Singapore MICE Advantage Programme (SMAP) is a partnership between the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB), Changi Airport Group and Singapore Airlines to provide business events organisers and MICE delegates with red-carpet treatment. Benefits include financial grants and discounts on advertising spaces in Changi Airport.
Whom to contact in Singapore?
For more information, please contact secb@stb.gov.sg
A group of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB) has a mission to champion business travel and business events. As enablers for industry growth and a key driver of the tourism sector, SECB aims to establish Singapore as a dynamic business events destination where an ecosystem of ideas, people, and technology draws on vibrant knowledge and wide networks to tailor success for any event.www.yoursingapore.com