mice.yoursingapore.com fresh reasons to turn your event into a world-class experience in dynamic SINGAPORE Produced by Business & Tourism Publishing Asia Pte Ltd and Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau™ micenet ASIA | 1 Reason 1: ingapore continues to wow meeting and incentive planners with the Svariety of business event venues and activities. Just when one thinks he has done it all in Singapore, the lion city stays ahead Venues of global competition and introduces new venue options whilst the established ones MICE renew their propositions. and Experiences Hit READY TO IMPRESS Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibiton Centre raised the industry benchmark after its S$184 million modernisation programme saw the introduction of new technologies that gave clients “real-time” control over elements of RefreshThe plethora of world- their meeting space environment, such as class venues and lighting and air-conditioning. The venue constant renewal of also offers free Wi-Fi throughout the centre MICE spaces clearly set capable of supporting up to 6,000 devices at one time. In September 2014, Suntec Singapore apart from Singapore became one of the first the competition. convention centres in Asia to be digitally showcased on Google Maps. MICE planners can now easily explore the Centre via Google’s Street View, which shows comprehensive 360-degree panoramic views of indoor facilities. The 1,200-sq m Flower Field Hall nestled within Gardens by the Bay has recently improved its audio-visual infrastructure. There is a dedicated entrance to the Flower Field Hall, and a private entrance from the event hall to the Flower Dome, a perfect strolling showcase for the green-at-heart. This 1.2-hectare Flower Dome set a Guinness World Record this year for being the largest greenhouse in the world. Located in the heart of Empress Place Civic District, the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall re-opened its doors after its restoration programme. Consider hosting a small to medium-sized cocktail reception and banquet dinner in the Central Atrium, the White Zone, or one of the hospitality suites in this national monument first established in 1862. Round images from top to bottom: Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibiton Centre, Royal Albatross, The Westin Singapore Flower Field Hall, Gardens by the Bay 2 | micenet ASIA NEW INTERNATIONAL HOTELS TAKE THE STAGE The Westin Singapore ushered in its first guests in November 2013. The newly built luxury business hotel is located in the heart of the Marina Bay Financial District and is within walking distance to the Sands Expo Singapore Sports Hub and Convention Centre. For incentive groups with meeting space requirements, the Sports event planners will be contemporary hotel has 10 meeting spaces pleased with the recently opened catering to intimate c-suite board meetings or Singapore Sports Hub. Get on banquets for up to 300 guests. Guests can the tracks of the National Stadium also enjoy spanning views of the South China or utilise other expansive venues such Sea from the hotel lobby on level 32. as the OCBC Arena, OCBC Aquatic Over at the edge of the Marina Bay Centre or Water Sports Centre for team- precinct and in the heart of the CBD, the city building activities. Sport fans can visit the Round images from left to right: welcomed the official opening of Sofitel So Singapore Sports Museum while others Sofitel So Singapore, River Safari Singapore in August 2014. With surprise enjoy some down time at Splash-N-Surf. elements designed by Karl Lagerfeld, the For an added experience, align your travel boutique heritage hotel offers timeless dates with events taking place at the French elegance blended with a modern and Singapore Indoor Stadium, such as the chic Singaporean charm. High-end incentive annual BNP Paribas Women’s Tennis organisers can book the hotel’s poolside area Association tournament happening Singapore has for an exclusive welcome reception until 2018. overlooking Lau Pa Sat, the newly Venture into the River Safari, the become a significant refurbished iconic local food market. newest attraction at Wildlife Reserves contender in the Singapore. Delegates can spend two hours UNIQUE PULL of leisure time exploring the seven Rivers, MICE space. Its Cruise your delegates around Singapore in three Wild Amazonias or the Giant Panda ongoing investment the Royal Albatross. The multi-purpose Forest. Alternatively, design a programme in infrastructure and luxury tall ship moved into her new that allows delegates to embark on an Singapore home at Resorts World Sentosa in Amazon River Quest in boats of 10, or an concerted efforts to February 2014 after a five-year refit easy River Safari Cruise in groups of 30. market to the meetings transformation. This ship caters to corporate End the day with a themed dinner at The and events sector is charter events for over 200 guests, while its Classroom, an event space at the River air-conditioned multi-function Grand Salon Safari, which accommodates 100 guests for certainly paying off. is ideal for 56 guests. a reception or 60 guests banquet-style. CAROLINE GAIR Hop off the Royal Albatross and enjoy Make sure you make a return visit DIRECTOR SUPPLIER RELATIONS Sentosa’s new entertainment, the Wings of here in 2015 to visit the National Gallery cievents Time. Replacing Songs of the Sea, it is the Singapore. Right in the heart of the Civic Event management company for the Flight Centre Travel island’s latest night spectacular and the District, two monumental buildings – the Group’s 3,200-delegate Global Gathering Singapore 2013 world’s only night attraction set along the City Hall and the former Supreme Court – beach facing the sea. Produced by an award- will be refurbished and re-launched in 2015 winning team that also developed the Beijing as a 64,000-sq m gallery of Southeast 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, the Asian art exhibits from the 19th century to show presents an ensemble of artistically present day. choreographed effects. micenet ASIA | 3 Chingay Reason 2: Enhance Meeting Experience with Unique Singapore Events Festivals and For years, smaller meetings have been created and organised leveraging on larger congresses and exhibitions. Turn your event into a world- class experience by leveraging on the exciting energy from some of Singapore’s signature festivals and local events. A SPORTING AFFAIR from decorated trees Possibly a “once in a lifetime” experience, and majestic arches, all planners can enrich visitor programmes around along a 2.2-km stretch from the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Tanglin Mall to Plaza Singapura. Grand Prix, a first and only race to be held at In the six weeks leading into night in F1’s history, and the first F1 street Christmas, expect entertainment race in Asia. Speak to hotels that are around shopping promotions, and other Round images from top to bottom: World Gourmet Summit, the race circuit precinct to hold meetings or fun moments. On Christmas Day, Chinese New Year Festivity, cocktails. Taking place in September each the Orchard Road stretch between BNP Paribas WTA Finals year, the Singapore Grand Prix will remain on Scotts Road and Bideford Road will Singapore presented by SC Global, shot of the F1 calendar through at least 2017. be closed for pedestrians. tennis star Serena During the annual BNP Paribas During Chinese New Year, also Williams, courtesy Women’s Tennis Association Finals known as Lunar New Year, the streets of the of Getty Images. Singapore presented by SC Global held at city come alive with the sounds of traditional the new Singapore Sports Hub, grab special music, the sights of hanging red lanterns and packages to access the Racquet Club the tantalising smells wafting from the many hospitality pavilion for a free flow of night stalls set-up in various neighbourhoods champagne and a gourmet dining experience throughout Singapore. The Spring Festival is with the best seats in the house. Singapore will at its highest point on the nights of the be the host destination for the event until 2018. Chingay parade. This ticketed event is one Our recent visit to of the largest street performances in Asia that Singapore coincided with CULINARY EXTRAVAGANZA features an extensive float parade and the Singapore National Day Treat delegates to a gastronomic adventure at showcases 8,000 performers of different races celebration dress rehearsal the annual World Gourmet Summit, in their traditional costumes. It epitomises the on Marina Bay. Venturing Singapore’s most talked-about culinary event dynamism of Singapore’s multicultural society. into the Esplanade waterfront where attendees are enticed by its exclusive promenade, mixing with the dinners, hands-on cooking workshops and The National Day is one of the most educational sessions with renowned chefs and eagerly anticipated celebrations for locals who were beaming with gourmet artisans. This event has showcased Singaporeans and local residents each year. pride, whilst sampling hawker three-Michelin-starred master chef Thomas Organise a mingle session with locals around delights amongst fireworks, Bühner of La Vie in Germany and two- the celebration precincts such as the helicopters and the parade. The Esplanade waterfront promenade, before Michelin-starred chef Sang Hoon Degeimbre energy and excitement from of L’Air du Temps in Belgium. treating delegates to a locally themed gala dinner in one of many hotel ballrooms around such festivities will enhance the TIME TO CELEBRATE the precinct. Expect more excitement when experience of business events Christmas on a Great Street is an annual Singapore reaches its 50th birthday in 2015. delegates. event in Singapore where you can feast your Check out Singapore’s full calendar of events at ROS BARRETT-LENNARD eyes on millions of glittering lights dripping www.yoursingapore.com DIRECTOR MAGIC TOUCH CONSULTANCIES A PCO bringing a scientific conference into Singapore 4 | micenet ASIA micenet ASIA | 37 37 RWS AD.indd 37 22/9/14 11:28 am Reason 3: ingapore’s stellar reputation in education and further learning can be Stranslated into added value to meeting and incentive programmes, where groups can combine meetings with an educational component at a top-notch educational facility.