Northstar

DESTINATION | SINGAPORE 32 MAR-APR 2018 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM Venue operators are rolling out new event formats and themes to stay true to their role in positioning Singapore as a top MICE city in the region. "Today's participants are no longer satis ed with simply attending a business event. They expect to be engaged on multiple fronts, allowing them a di erent Words Lee Xin Hui WHY GO? Singapore's business events landscape continues to thrive with novel event experiences, and renewed support from Singapore Tourism Board. Singapore in a fresh light multi-sensorial experience while building meaningful relationships face-to-face," remarked Aloysius Arlando, CEO of SingEx Holdings Pte. Ltd. "Through creative venue planning that aligns with the event concept, convention centres will have to work closely with organisers to innovatively transform event experiences that delight participants at every touch point." Last November, Singapore EXPO played host to the Singapore FinTech Festival, which gathered more than 30,000 participants from the global nancial community. This year's edition will feature a greater focus on community engagement for a heightened festivalisation experience. At Marina Bay Sands (MBS), the venue recently played host to Money 20/20 Asia from March 13 to 15. While essentially a conference, the trade show also featured exhibition elements that now form a substantial component of their trade show programme. In June, MBS expects to welcome over 11,000 attendees at the week-long innovfest unbound – Southeast Asia's largest innovation festival, and the anchor event of Smart Nation Innovations. In the same month, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre will debut Chillax Asia 2018, which marries trade and consumer elements "Through creative venue "Through creative venue planning that aligns planning that aligns with the event concept, with the event concept, convention centres will have to work closely with organisers to innovatively transform event experiences that delight participants at every touch point." ALOYSIUS ARLANDO, CEO OF SINGEX HOLDINGS PTE. LTD. HOLDINGS PTE. LTD. enabled by live-streaming. The event will feature cooking demonstrations, seminars, workshops and a bakery and confectionary competition, and is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors. To adapt to its clients' evolving needs, Suntec will soon be open for business 24/7 starting from May 1, revealed Arun Madhok, CEO of Suntec Singapore. Strong Industry Support To help organisers succeed, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) provides various forms of support. For instance, the Business Improvement Fund (BIF) encourages the use of technology to improve competitiveness while the Training Industry Professionals in Tourism (TIP-iT) scheme supports companies in employee upgrading. "Technological disruption is probably the biggest game-changer for the MICE industry. Some, like arti cial intelligence, robotics, virtual and augmented reality, have immense potential to radically change the way we work," said Jeannie Lim, executive director, Conventions, Meetings & Incentive Travel, STB. To highlight Singapore as a top meetings destination, STB Americas embarked on a campaign last October with the Northstar Meetings Group to recognise industry professionals who contribute greatly to an event's success. Expect a heightened festivalisation experience at Singapore FinTech Festival 2018.

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