If there’s one constant that describes the Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore, it might be this: evolution. In the four years since the country debuted its first integrated resort-casinos — Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa — it has also welcomed a world-class park (250-acre Gardens by the Bay); a new international cruise terminal (Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore); and new tourism attractions (Marine Life Park, the River Safari, and the Gillman Barracks art gallery space). And there’s far more on the horizon, especially when it comes to meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE).
“Singapore continues to rejuvenate its landscape of tourism offerings so travelers may experience it in a new light during each visit,” says Carol Hong, area director of business development, brand, and communications in the Americas for the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). “Singapore is a unique meeting destination in that it offers an Asian experience, while still providing Western-style amenities … successfully blending the essence of East and West. By meeting in Singapore, U.S.-based groups have the added ROI in that they can build upon Singapore’s core attributes of knowledge and networks.” Singapore has always held a solid MICE reputation. Last year, it was the only Asian destination in the list of Top 10 Convention Cities in the World according to the 2012 Global Rankings by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). This also marked the 11th year in a row that Singapore was named the Top Convention City in Asia by ICCA. Renovations and additions to existing meeting venues, as well as initiatives such as the Singapore MICE Advantage Programme (go to bit.ly/smSMAP for more information), are making it even easier for organizations to meet in Singapore.
Convention Centers of the Future
For a country that’s only 274.1 square miles in area (only about 40 square miles larger than San Francisco), Singapore has a lot to offer when it comes to convention space. Suntec Singapore, in particular, is one major meeting venue that has taken the concept of evolution to heart. In May 2013, the convention center reopened after a year-long, $147.1-million-dollar renovation, earning a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest high-definition LED screen, comprising a total of 664 screens.
“We’d been planning these renovations for many years, and took the opportunity to put them into motion two years ago,” says Arun Madhok, CEO of Suntec Singapore. “Our vision for Suntec Singapore is to bring to reality what we believe is the ‘convention center of the future.’ It’s been 18 years since Suntec Singapore first opened its doors, and many things have changed in the industry. Technology has made things like free Wi-Fi an expectation. Space in Singapore has become a premium commodity, and needs to be managed super efficiently. The way events are planned has also changed.” For this reason, Suntec’s complimentary Wi-Fi can handle 6,000 simultaneous connections, Madhok adds.
And to further address these changes and anticipate clients’ needs in the future, Madhok says that Suntec Singapore has also made flexibility, expertise, and customer service top priorities. “Our venue can cater to mega events as well as smaller ventures … if an event grows, our space can grow with it. If there are changes to the format, our facility is so flexible that we can turn around our spaces within a matter of hours,” he says.
Madhok says that Suntec “has taken every effort to be a PhRMA Code-compliant venue.” Its Joint Marketing Alliance also provides access to 5,200 hotel rooms within walking distance.
Planners who work with Suntec Singapore will also have a dedicated Experience Manager to work with them on their events. Soon, Suntec will also debut its new Customer Portal, an online platform that lets meeting organizers make changes to their events in real time; use 3-D models to design their events; and connect directly with their Experience Manager.
The evolution of Singapore’s MICE offerings also includes more green options. In March 2012, the Singapore Expo debuted its new Max Atria wing, the first MICE venue in Singapore to earn a Building and Construction Authority Green Mark Platinum Award from the World Green Building Council. Max Atria @ Singapore Expo comprises a 136,702-square-foot space that can accommodate up to 3,500.
Future Forward
Looking ahead, Singapore’s evolution shows no signs of stopping, says Hong. In April 2014, the Singapore Sports Hub, a massive 3.7-million-square-foot sports and entertainment complex, is slated to open. In May, the 134-room Sofitel So Singapore is expected to open in the city’s central business district. Last November, Singapore welcomed the 301room Westin Singapore, situated on Marina Bay, with 14,531 square feet of meeting space. In 2015, the city-state is gearing up to debut the new National Art Gallery. Housed inside two treasured heritage buildings, it will feature Singaporean and Southeast Asian art that dates from the 19th century to the present. The year 2015 also marks an important anniversary — the country’s 50th — as an independent nation.
Singapore"s Constant Evolution
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét