Speech by MOS Alvin Tan at Singapore MICE Forum 2024

Mr Richard Ireland, President, SACEOS

Mr Ian Wu and Mr Dylan Sharma, Co-chairs Singapore MICE Forum Organising Committee,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

1. Thank you for inviting me back to this year’s Singapore MICE Forum.

2. I thought it would be helpful for my remarks this year, to reflect and share with everyone both the moments that we had as a MICE sector and industry, and the momentum that we are going to take moving forward.

3. So what are the key moments and what have we done over the last couple of years?

Last year, at MBS, I spoke about the twin engines of growth for our MICE sector. These twin engines that are driving our MICE industry are the digital engine and green engine.

4. These twin engines, along with the hard work that we have put in together as an industry building trust and confidence in our MICE sector during the pandemic, has helped us to solidify Singapore’s reputation as a world-class MICE destination.

5. It has been a strong year for our MICE industry. We ranked 2nd in the International Congress and Convention Association’s 2023 Worldwide City Rankings, rising over 10 places from 2022.

6. The rankings tell a tiny sliver of our story. Let’s look at the different moments in 2023, for example, FHA-Food & Beverage (F&B) and ProWine Singapore; Singapore MICE Forum; ITB Asia 2023, Gamescom Asia and the Transport logistic and air cargo Southeast Asia Conference. These are just some of the events I attended last year.

7. Fast forward to this year, Singapore Airshow in February - first after the pandemic, drawing a record turnout of ~ 60,000 attendees; Asia Pacific Maritime Conference 2024 in March – highest attendance with a record of more than 15,000 participants; Carbon Forward Asia; Tax Free World Association Asia Pacific Exhibition and Conference; Singapore International Jewellery Expo (SIJE); Singapore APEX Business Summit last night and of course, the Singapore MICE Forum today.

8. A round of applause for our MICE industry partners for working with us on this outstanding achievement!

9. We are already in August, and it’s going to be MICE peak season in Singapore. We will host - Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology (SWITCH); 20th Forum of Young Global Leaders by the World Economic Forum; Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF); ITB Asia; Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW); Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW); 11th Milken Institute Asia Summit 2024; SuperReturn Asia; Worldchefs Congress and Expo and the list goes on.

10. The reason why I shared with you this whole list of events is because, these events reflect the industry's unwavering confidence in Singapore's strong foundations.

Singapore’s MICE Global Positioning - World’s Best MICE City: Enabling Positive Lasting Impact

11. This year is also special as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB). For 50 years, SECB has supported organisers worldwide to plan and execute successful events in our vibrant island-city. Their efforts will continue to shape and uphold Singapore’s exceptional reputation for business events.

12. I’ve talked about the moments and list of events, and what we are trying to do is first, to raise the number and level of execution of MICE events. The second thing that we are going to do is to raise the profile of Singapore as the World’s Best MICE Destination.

13. STB just launched a campaign to position Singapore as the “World’s Best MICE City” The campaign highlights how business events and delegates can continue to forge new possibilities in Singapore, reinforcing how we drive meaningful business outcomes and create lasting impact.

14. We will build upon and also profile our strengths. Here’s our pitch:

a. Singapore is a place to connect. Our vibrant business community connects you to new markets and partnerships, ensuring every interaction makes a positive impact.

b. Singapore is a place to innovate. As a hub for innovation, technology, and research, Singapore is the go-to destination for MICE events where entrepreneurs and forward-thinking partners meet for new ideas, setting the stage for future success.

c. Singapore is a place that is safe. We have a stellar track record of quality events, offering peace of mind for businesses, event organisers, and delegates from all across the world. We could not have achieved this without all of you here, who work doubly hard to create optimal conditions for businesses to thrive, forming our resilient and nimble MICE industry.

d. Finally, Singapore is a place that is green. We will continue to host sustainable MICE events, set collective targets, and raise standards for sustainability practices across the MICE value chain.

Championing a More Sustainable MICE Industry

15. That brings me to my final point about raising our green ambitions.

16. At the Rotary International Convention 2024 in May, Singapore Institute of Technology announced a new mangrove conservatory.

a. This initiative aims to preserve diverse mangroves, reintroduce lost species, and serve as a hub for knowledge, innovation, and test-bedding efforts. With a donation of S$680,000 over three years from the Foundation of Rotary Clubs Singapore, the conservatory is set to create positive impact for our society for years to come.

b. This is just one example of how we are raising the bar on sustainability.

17. Building on the momentum of impactful initiatives, we recognise the rising global demand for sustainable business events and travel. Since we launched our MICE Sustainability Roadmap in 2022, we have made significant progress.

18. Singapore is one of the first few countries in the world to initiate a national MICE Industry Carbon and Waste Baseline exercise in 2023. This helps us track carbon emissions baselines regularly and generate insights for us to reduce waste and also develop decarbonisation strategies.

19. In January, SACEOS and SECB launched the Singapore MICE Sustainability Certification, setting robust standards for our local industry.

20. Global Sustainable Tourism Council developed the GSTC MICE Criteria in March, with support from SACEOS and STB to meet the need for international standards in sustainability for our MICE industry.

21. As we continue to raise the bar along our green journey, please partner us to make a positive, enduring impact in our MICE industry. Please check out STB’s “legacy toolkit”, which outlines useful information on how you can create an event which drives long-lasting change.

Closing

22. In closing, I wanted to thank SACEOS and our valued partners for journeying alongside us as we raise our profile, raise our execution and raise our ambition for Singapore to be the World’s Best MICE destination. I wish you all a successful forum. Thank you!