Destination Report Singapore

headquarters Published by Meeting Media Company (Europe) www.headquartersmagazine.com - press@headquartersmagazine.com

Destination Report Singapore is a special edition of Headquarters Magazine May 2014

Singapore

The place to meet

Introduction

© Andrew Tan

Singapore All work, all play

Infinity Pool, Marina Bay Sands®

Truthfully, when I was given this assignment, I had the perception that Singapore was only a hub, a place to do business and stop over in Asia, where there’s not much to see or visit. How wrong I was and how amazed I now am on Singapore’s dynamic transformation. Singapore is all about business of course, but it’s also a destination that is constantly reinventing itself. With outstanding attractions, coupled with excellent conference facilities like nowhere else in the world, Singapore is on the meetings map like never before.

Report Rémi Dévé For a young country - after all modern Singapore was achieved only about 30 years after the former British colony gained independence in 1965 - the Lion City, or the little red dot, as it is also affectionately referred to, has been particularly successful.

Even though it will only reach middle age in human terms when it turns 50 years old in 2015, Singapore has expanded, developed and improved over the last decades like few other destinations.

Thanks to an ideal location, at the crossroads of the West and the East, Singapore has always been a very vital and prosperous trading and interlining hub and as such a 2

As a place for association meetings, Singapore seems to be unmatched.

It is a safe, and reliable destination, with its excellent infrastructure matched only with its software central location for international exhibitions and conferences. It’s no secret the city has emerged a regular champion again in the Union of International Associations’ (UIA) ranking of top international meeting cities

and countries: in 2012, it hosted 952 meetings, up from 919 in 2011. I’m pretty confident it won’t rest on its laurels.

As a global business and financial hub, Singapore is home to the Asian headquarters of some of the world’s leading multinational companies. It is also where about 150 International Non-Profit Organisations (INPOs) including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Tax Free World Association (TTWA), International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI), or the International Air Transport Association (IATA) just to name a few, are based. This number has more than quadrupled since 2005. It’s easy to see why Singapore has developed into a premier business events destination: If you want to attract more members to your organisation or more delegates to your conference, the Lion City is the place to be, especially since it’s so accessible from pretty much everywhere in the world.

Introduction

Singapore, the fast facts Access: One of Asia’s largest air hubs, Changi Airport boast over 100 international airlines flying to some 270 cities in 67 countries and territories worldwide. Efficient and easy to navigate, it is divided into three main terminals.

The former budget terminal is currently undergoing renovations to become Terminal 4.

Congress facilities: Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Singapore Expo with its MAX Atria wing, Resorts WorldTM Sentosa and Raffles City Convention Centre, can accommodate any large-scale international exhibitions and conferences, for up to 10,000 people. There is approximately 340,000 m2 of MICE space in Singapore.

Accommodation options: With more than 150 hotels and over 50,000 rooms, Singapore has an answer to every budget and preference.

© Edward Tian

Climate: Located almost on the Equator, Singapore has a year-round hot-humid climate, with temperatures as high as 33°C during the day and 26°C at night.

Singapore River

My view of Singapore as a strictly business hub, all work and no play, was definitely wrong. Over the years, the city-state has been enhancing and providing a slew of compelling leisure offerings and worldclass attractions to all its visitors, often from scratch, and sometimes on land that was reclaimed from the sea: the idea is also for delegates to not only spend their days through fruitful meetings and conferences in Singapore but also to experience its unique offerings from delightful cultural enclaves to a variety of exciting entertainment and leisure options.

I will dig deeper on the subject at the end of this supplement, but I will, for now, just say this: the opening, a few years back, of the Resorts WorldTM Sentosa and the Marina Bay Sands® integrated resorts has shown what the city had up its sleeves. Today the inauguration of the 101-hectare Gardens by the Bay, The Star Performing Arts Centre and the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore have

also definitely enhanced the experience.

Add to this the River Safari that opened last year and the new Sports Hub in Kallang due to be opened in 2014, and you will find that you have to stay an extra week after the conference to enjoy everything Singapore has to offer!

As a place for association meetings, Singapore seems to be unmatched. It is a safe and reliable destination, with its excellent infrastructure matched only with its software; which is supported by its professional MICE industry and government partners for successful meetings held in Singapore. Its compactness makes it possible for people to interact easily. Its expertise when it comes to hosting conferences will ensure the success of your event. Its can-do attitude and drive for innovation will seduce the most demanding association planner.

In short, Singapore may well be your next choice destination.

Visa: Most nationalities can enter Singapore without a visa, usually for periods of 14 to 30 days, though US citizens can stay 90 days.

Language: English is the common language used for business and is widely spoken throughout all the different ethnic groups.

The Chinese make up the ethnic majority, followed by significant minorities of Malays, Indians and Eurasians.

Singapore Exhibition & Convention BureauTM (SECB): As a group of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the SECB is here to help. They offer support in securing venues; introductions with leading government agencies, local associations and business partners as well as marketing and publicity support.

Contact Karin Thönes Singapore Tourism Board - Frankfurt Office Central & Southern Europe T. +49 69 920770-13 Karin_Thoenes@stb.gov.sg www.yoursingapore.com/mice

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Introduction © Andrew Tan

Four questions to Jeannie Lim ‘Singapore is a meetings ecosystem’ Jeannie Lim, Executive Director of the Singapore Exhibition & Convention BureauTM, is a veteran of the MICE industry. She shares her views about what meeting in Singapore means.

At SECB, we see meetings as a part of an overall ecosystem. They’re not stand-alone events, with a life of their own, they partake in an exchange of ideas, people, and technology, nurturing knowledge and networks. As the lead government agency for the industry, the SECB aims to establish Singapore as a dynamic business and association events destination.

This ecosystem is the only way to do so.

HQ: What are Singapore’s assets when it comes to association conferences?

Jeannie Lim: As a global hub, Singapore stands at a crossroad between Asia and the rest of the world. Business is conducted all year round, with over 7,000 multinational companies and 150 international non-profit organizations (INPOs) based here: Singapore generates a lot of research, especially in the area of thought leadership within our key economic industries.

Knowledge-driven industries include banking & finance, biomedical sciences, energy, ICT & media, energy and environment, as well as transport & security. Singapore has also successfully grown its R&D base, drawing top scientific and creative talent and nurtured R&D collaborations between the public sector and private enterprise. For associations looking to attract more members or delegates to their conference, Singapore is the place.

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Jeannie Lim, Executive Director, Singapore Exhibition and Convention BureauTM

Merlion © Suntec Singapore

HQ: What role do meetings play in Singapore’s economy?

Jeannie Lim: The meetings industry plays a significant role for the tourism sector and Singapore is performing well in spite of global economic uncertainties. Our latest figures say it all: from January to September 2013, the number of business visitors rose to 2.6 million, an increase of 6% from the same period in 2012. Expenditure by these business visitors was an estimated S$4.1 billion.

In addition, the fact that Singapore boasts easy air access from within the region and around the world helps a lot: we’re a natural draw for conferences, conventions and meetings of all sizes and formats.

HQ: Do you foresee challenges ahead?

Jeannie Lim: It’s a fierce, competitive world, so we always have to stay on top of our game.

Today, we focus on the quality and content of business events being held in Singapore.

The idea is to work closely both with people from the MICE industry and people from other industry associations, in order to bring relevant content that enables us to build upon being a knowledge hub. Our strong Conference Ambassador Programme, which we recently revamped, helps us to do so.

IFLA at Suntec

The SECB wishes to attract international meetings and conferences around the city’s key industry clusters - ICT, media, design, banking and finance, biomedical, healthcare and urban solutions. Given that Singapore is a small city-state, we have to make productive use of our available resources, and be targeted in attracting quality events.

HQ: Any personal favorites about Singapore?

Jeannie Lim: I have a soft spot for Sentosa.

It’s not only a great meeting place, with a variety of hotels and the now famous Resorts WorldTM Sentosa, it’s also a nice place for a fun outing, close to the city but at the same time away from the hustle and bustle of it. If it was just for me, I could go there every weekend!

People of the River

> Benefits

Singapore MICE Advantage Program (SMAP) What’s in it for associations?

Together with Changi Airport Group and Singapore Airlines, the Singapore Exhibition & Convention BureauTM (SECB) last year announced the launch of a new incentive programme designed to attract associations and their conferences to Singapore. Entitled the Singapore MICE Advantage Programme, the SMAP, as you can now refer to, is clearly an added value to the already rich MICE landscape to be found in Singapore.

Thanks to SMAP, and in addition to other advantages that are already included in the SECB’s existing Business Events in Singapore (BEiS) incentive programme, association planners and delegates alike can now enjoy a wide range of benefits including preferential airline fares and airport ‘activities’ . The partnership between three key entities of the Singapore meetings industry definitely rolls out the red carpet for MICE players, enhancing the overall destination experience. It offers a wide range of benefits, with the aim of facilitating the journey to and out of Singapore, among many other possibilities (see sidebar).

As Jeannie Lim , Executive Director of the SECB puts it: ‘The idea of SMAP is that the delegate’s experience of Singapore can begin even before the welcome reception. Singapore already has well-differentiated and innovative offerings that amplify the overall MICE journey. Thanks to this new programme, we

can also leverage the strengths of Singapore’s internationally acclaimed airline and airport.’

One event in the books to benefit from SMAP includes the 2017 Pacific Rim International Conference on Lasers and Electro-optics (CLEO). The 2017 CLEO conference will welcome more than 1,000 delegates and marks the first time the conference takes place in Southeast Asia. The conference steering committee recognized the SMAP as an incentive factor when they selected Singapore as their event destination.

To apply for the new program, planners can submit applications to the SECB until Dec. 31, 2016, for events held in Singapore

by Dec. 31, 2017. Each application will be evaluated individually.

contact secb@stb.gov.sg

Associaton-based conventions: criteria and benefits For an association event, a minimum of 1,000 foreign participants is required.

Benefits for organisers • Financial grants of up to 30% of qualifying costs • Discounts on advertising spaces across all terminals at Singapore Changi Airport • Complimentary welcome desk at Singapore Changi Airport to greet your participants upon their arrival • Up to five complimentary Economy Class tickets on Singapore Airlines, subject to a minimum spend on airfare • Exceptional value fares on Singapore Airlines and hotel accommodation in Singapore for site inspections • Preferential rates with Singapore Airlines Cargo for safe delivery of bulky, sensitive, or fragile cargo • Recommendations on social and MICE venues • Suggestions on social activities, such as Singapore city tours • Introductions to relevant agencies and suppliers • Visa facilitation for your participants • Complimentary Singapore maps and brochures Benefits for participants • A selection of exceptional value fares to Singapore on Singapore Airlines, from over 60 destinations • Additional check-in baggage allowance of 10kg across all classes of travel • Changi Dollar Value vouchers for shopping and dining at Singapore Changi Airport • Special rates on Singapore Stopover Business and Singapore Stopover Holiday packages

Changi Airport 5

>Venues

Large conference facilities Take your pick I don’t think I’ve seen so many different super large conference facilities in such a small country before. Take your pick among the Marina Bay Sands® Expo & Convention Centre, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre and the Singapore Expo, with its MAX Atria wing.

Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre

• Suitable for meetings of 5 people to plenary sessions for 5,000 • Multifunctional exhibition and banquet halls • Up to 36 convertible meeting rooms • Free WiFi • Within walking distance to 5,200 hotel rooms • Integrated within the Suntec City Mall

compliant, which makes it easy for medical events to be organised here.’

One last thing worth noting: Suntec Singapore has created a customer portal that allows organisations to log in, interact and make changes in the way their events will look. This includes the ability to visualise their event in 2D or 3D, make changes to the room layout or change a menu for the event. All this can be done from the comfort of their chairs. Who could ask for more? www.suntecsingapore.com

© Suntec Singapore

The largest HD video wall in the world, 30 chefs with the capacity to cater for up to 10,000 delegates per day, new air-conditioning systems and next-generation LED lighting that is both eco-friendly and powersaving, built-in state-of-the-art technology around every corner, a plenary hall for over 6,000 delegates, no less than 36 meeting rooms, 28 movable walls, 22,000 m2 of exhibition halls… the figures at Suntec Singapore will surely make you dizzy.

Reopened in June 2013, after a top-tobottom modernisation programme, the convention and exhibition centre now offers event organisers flexible customisable space.

The idea of the year-long, S$184 million renovation was to redesign the venue from the ground up to create a highly flexible and customisable environment capable of giving planners the correct space in the shape, size and configuration they need.

Arun Madhok, Chief Executive of Suntec International, explains: ‘Our new centre has been designed with customisation in mind. Rooms can be transformed into different shapes and sizes to meet the requirements of each event. Embedded technology and sensors automatically configure the temperature, lighting and audio controls to manage the new space seamlessly.’

Located at the centre of Singapore, a stone’s throw from the main hotels and the Central Business District, Suntec Singapore likes to think it’s one step ahead from its competitors… and rightly so. As Arun puts it: ‘Our forte is the way we focus on your event. We are venue managers dedicated to creating the best experiences for our customers. That’s where our expertise lies. When you do business with us, you will have a single point of contact during your entire event, our dedicated team of meeting professionals will help whenever, wherever you need. Furthermore, we are Pharmacode

Suntec Singapore, the figures

Suntec Singapore’s HD video screen

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South Asian Diaspora Convention 2013

>Venues

Singapore Expo & MAX Atria Conveniently located five minutes from Singapore Changi Airport and fifteen minutes from the city centre, easily accessible by public transport, Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre has become, since its inauguration in 1999, a top-ranked venue in Asia and Singapore’s largest purpose-built MICE facility.

Max Atria

Covering over 123,000 m2 of indoor and outdoor space, comprising all the amenities you can wish for - exhibition halls, conference halls, meeting rooms, mobile V-Rooms, you name it - EXPO is the proud host of over 600 events a year of all sizes and format. The facility’s versatility in space configurations, together with the staff’s commitment to operational and service excellence, makes it quite easy to work with. Oh and did I mention they don’t take sustainability lightly?

Abiding by the ‘Recycle, Reuse and Reduce’ principle, they can help organisers and delegates reduce their collective carbon footprint!

As if this was not enough, EXPO opened two years ago a brand-new convention wing, MAX Atria, with additional meeting facilities and leafy green spaces. The impression it gives to the visitor is indeed that of an oasis in urban surroundings: the rooftop terrace and the garden courtyard are delegates’ favorites, and you can easily understand why. The expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, lush landscaping and graceful interiors are most evident; what is not and this is where the facility has raised the industry benchmark - are its energy-efficient measures that have marked it as the first purpose-built meeting venue in Singapore to attain the Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark Platinum Award.

No wonder, then, that MAX Atria promises no less than ‘Conventions redefined’. As it was developed to meet the requests of demanding planners: the extension, adjoining EXPO

Singapore EXPO

Halls 1 and 2, features 32 column-free rooms with spacious foyers and accommodates over 3,500 people in spaces versatile enough to be configured for meetings, banquets, light exhibitions and such.

And you can take my word for it: there’s a certain sense of well-being when you enter the premises. Whether it’s because of the verdant landscaping , the architecture or the interior design, it’s not difficult to understand why any congress will run smoothly there… www.singaporeexpo.com.sg

Singapore EXPO, the figures At Singapore Expo • 10 convention-exhibition halls • 123,000 m2 of usable space • For 50 to 15,000 delegates At MAX Atria • 13,000 m2 of conference and event space • 32 rooms • Maximum capacity in one room: 1,500 • 460- m2 rooftop terrace • Certified Green Mark Plantinum by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore 7

>Venues

Sands Expo & Convention Centre You must have been living on another planet if you have not heard about Marina Bay Sands® before. Its infinity pool has been featured in lifestyle magazines the world over, and its sense of enormity, complete with a 99% occupancy rate I was told, a casino, a shopping mall, endless entertainment and dining options and much more, has seduced visitors and guests alike. Lesser known is that the facility boasts large convention facilities, with the aptly named Sands Expo & Convention Centre.

Again, the numbers here speak for themselves: there are not many congress halls in the world that can accommodate mega events like this. The Sands Expo and Convention Centre boasts almost 400,000 m2 of flexible convention and exhibition space.

It can host over 45,000 delegates, 2,000 exhibition booths and 250 meeting rooms. It features Southeast Asia’s biggest ballroom, which can accommodate 6,600 people for a banquet and up to 11,000 for an auditoriumstyle lecture.

Organisers and delegates being increasingly more concerned about sustainability, the Sands Expo and Convention Centre has incorporated sustainable practices into its facilities. As the first conference venue outside America to receive Level One certification by ASTM International, it has put 8

sustainability at the forefront. February has also seen the integrated resort obtain the ISO 20121 Sustainable Events Management System certification - the Sands, as many people fondly call it, is the first MICE facility in South East Asia to achieve this recognition. It comes hardly as a surprise, then, that events like the Responsible Business Forum should choose the venue to hold its debates (more on this in Headquarters #59).

All in all, it’s the ‘everything under one roof’ concept that is striking here - and the best and biggest I’ve seen in my career as a meetings journalist. I personally liked the Observation Deck with breathtaking views of Singapore: cocktails for up to 300 people are a must up there. Private meetings in the poolside area are also an option: once home, you’ll be able to say that you met and dined on top of the world, almost literally!

Isn’t this a dream come true for planners? www.marinabaysands.com Marina Bay Sands®

The Sands Expo and Convention Centre, the figures • • • • •

Five floors of exhibition and convention space Up to 250 meeting rooms Can accommodate up to 45,000 delegates in total Southeast Asia’s largest ballroom at over 8,000 m2 Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 6,600 pax for a banquet / 11,000 for a theatre-style convention • Green-conscious under its Sands Eco360 principle (waste and carbon emission management, green meeting concierge, etc.)

> Case study

Case Study The World Library and Information Congress in Singapore

IFLA Opening Ceremony

More than 3,800 delegates from 122 countries, hundreds of sessions, dozens of official meetings, translations in 6 languages and tens of thousands of discussions: this is what the World Library and Information Congress, which was held for a week in August 2013 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, is all about.

The 79th International Federation of Library Associations & Institutions World Library and Information Congress is the annual flagship event for the library and information sector, where the global library community debates and explores the latest developments in library sciences and technologies from around the world.

Gathering of Thought Leaders in Singapore More than 400 thought leaders and library professionals shared their vision, perspectives on trends and developments, expertise and best practices, in August 2013 in Singapore. Speakers included Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large Chan Heng Chee, one of Esquire’s 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century, and Director of Asia Journalism Fellowship Dr Cherian George.

About 2,000 volunteers from the libraries in Singapore also provided outstanding services to all conference goers for regular meetings, cultural events, conference logistics, and library visits.

The number of participants turned out to be the highest figure for the Congress held in

Asia. According to a post-event survey, 92% of respondents judged the Congress overall good or somewhat good, one of the most highly rated results in recent years, reflecting the strong quality of content and overall event experience.

Organisers leveraged Singapore’s multicultural society to create memorable experiences for delegates through both on- and off-site activities. Guests enjoyed a cultural evening on the beach, free entry to the museums, local performances at the Opening Ceremony and many hands-on activities such as henna painting, Chinese calligraphy and ketupat weaving in the exhibition area.

Highest Attendance in Asia in Event’s History Mrs Elaine Ng, Chair of the IFLA WLIC 2013 National Committee and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library Board, said: ‘At the Congress, information professionals have the valuable opportunity to share insights and shape policies that address global challenges affecting our local communities.

Librarians and information professionals must

connect to the communities through services that are relevant to their needs, and connect them to the world’s knowledge and creativity.’

Besides the exchange of knowledge, the congress offered an international trade exhibition with over 80 exhibitors and an exhibition of approximately 1,000 m2. The combined buying power of all delegates was estimated at more than 1.2 billion dollars. Exhibitors included technology companies, publishers, foundations, libraries and educational institutions.

Memorable Cultural Immersion Hosted by the National Library Board and the Library Association of Singapore, the event was an opportunity for Singapore to showcase the status of libraries and information science in the country and region as well as to have their professionals experience international librarianship and international relations in a unique way.

The Congress concluded with a choice of 25 library visits, ranging from a trip to the National Library of Singapore and Central Public Library to a visit out of the country to the University of Technology Malaysia Libraries.

More info http://express.ifla.org 9

> Meetings & more

Outside the traditional meeting experience

Gardens by the Bay

Singapore is not just about traditional conference facilities. To meet the growing demand for more interesting and unusual meeting experiences, in addition to the necessary boardroom and hotel meeting space, the city has witnessed the rise of more unconventional venues. There is also plenty to do before or after the conference!

Offsite venues On your way downtown from the airport, it’s one of the first things to catch your eye. Gardens by the Bay, the new and popular venue for meetings and parties, lies on 250 acres of reclaimed land in central Singapore next to the Marina Reservoir.

Conservatories house unusual and unique plant life including a cloud forest that simulates the cool moist climate found in tropical areas. There’s the world’s largest man-made waterfall and for entertaining there are the now famous ‘supertrees’, tree-like structures rising as high as 50 meters off the ground, the tallest of which has a 100-person bistro and bar atop that can be hired for events.

You feel like you’re in the ‘Avatar’ movie!

In terms of capacity, Gardens by the Bay 10

Resorts WorldTM Sentosa

accommodates large outdoor events, for up to 30,000 standing.

Existing properties such as Resorts WorldTM Sentosa (RWS) also continue to add to their portfolios of must-see attractions. The resort is actually dazzling with six world-class hotels, Universal Studios Singapore®, the Maritime Experiential MuseumTM with its own immersive typhoon theatre, and Singapore’s largest luxury spa, ESPA at RWS. It can host over

36,000 delegates at any one time within its diversity of event spaces, from the region’s largest column-free ballroom to its 37 function rooms and over 20 unique event venues. My personal favorites were the space at Universal Studios Singapore®, whose New York Street can house up to 1,500 people, and Marine Life ParkTM, the world’s largest oceanarium, comprising the planet’s biggest aquarium - its fascinating Ocean Gallery can accommodate up to 320 guests.

© Scott Frances

> Meetings & more

Singapore Flyer

Antony Gormley Drift, Lobby, Marina Bay Sands®,

Ocean Gallery, Marine Life ParkTM

Worth noting is that RWS has been committed to sustainability since its very opening.

Awarded, among many other accolades, the ‘Exceptional Corporate Social Responsibility Practice 2013’ by the British Chamber of Commerce, it has contributed, through varied initiatives, in improving the lives of 7,000 persons to date. The company also aims to educate its employees and give them a stronger green culture through the Planet RWS programme. One of RWS’s green features is

Singapore’s largest solar power system, which can generate more than 500,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually. Adoption of an energy-efficient air-conditioning temperature of 24C° resortwide and usage of energy-saving LED lights are also part of the endeavour to be environment responsible.

Other venues are flexing their muscles beyond their core business too: the Singapore Flyer is not content to be simply a giant observation

wheel, and organisations are not limited to holding small group cocktails aboard its private capsule. There are now a variety of special venues - from the semicircular Greek Theatre to the private Singapore Flyer Jetty - underneath the massive structure, which can be used to stage a variety of events. In this regard, smaller venues are available for more intimate gatherings, while unconventional spaces including theatres, gardens and even the ‘Fountain of Wealth’ at Suntec Singapore, can be hired out for meetings, group activities, and other events.

Accommodation: all you can sleep… and meet Singapore is not just about five-star luxury hotels: with more than 150 hotels and over 50,000 rooms, the city can cater to every budget and preference. If you like guesthouses, boutique hotels or beach resorts, it seems Singapore has it all. Most hotels of course offer fully-equipped business centres, meeting facilities, broadband Internet access and other conveniences for business travellers.

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© Patrick Bingham Hall

> Meetings & more

PARKROYAL on Pickering

Entrance Plaza, Night Safari

Westin Singapore

Sofitel So 12

During my (way too short) stay, I could visit two of them. Inspired by the dynamic cosmopolitan lifestyle of Singapore and the island of Sentosa’s natural surroundings.

W Singapore - Sentosa Cove adopts the same narrative, blurring the line between urban experience and a forest’s untamed nature. Here they serve so-called ‘food from the heart’ at the restaurants, while you can relax at the outdoor pool WET, and rejuvenate at AWAY Spa - making your stay most unusual. W Singapore - Sentosa Cove features 240 sea and marina facing guestrooms and meeting space for up to 500 pax.

And it’s not just marketing talk when they say they offer one-of-a-kind experiences and über-assistance to any of the guests’ personal needs - it is simply tangible when you’re there.

I mentioned the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, but let me tell you about Marina Bay Sands® here. With 2,561 rooms and suites over 55 floors (all with outstanding views of the South China Sea or Marina Bay and the Singapore skyline) and an array of dining experiences catering to every taste, it’s the largest facility I have ever seen. The lobby area with its fascinating hanging tree-like structure is just worth a visit, even if you don’t stay at the hotel. There is also the Sands SkyPark®, a true architectural masterpiece sitting on top of the three hotel towers: this 1.2 hectare tropical oasis is longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall and large enough to park four-and-a-half A380 jumbo jets! Just to give you an idea! It extends to form one of the world’s largest public cantilevers. Marina Bay Sands® is also home to a wide offer of entertainment options.

With close to 300 shops and restaurants, there is something for everyone - from renowned celebrity chef restaurants and luxurious shopping to world-class theatre productions and fabulous nightlife.

As far as new facilities are concerned, The Westin Singapore opened at the end of 2013, with 305 rooms and 6 meeting rooms, while the Sofitel So’s first Singapore outpost was just inaugurated in the heart of the business district, with 134 rooms. The ultraluxurious Patina Hotel will make its debut in the historical Civic District at the end of 2014 as well.

> Meetings & more

Other conference hotels include Grand Copthorne Waterfront, one of the leading conference hotels in the city. With its range of versatile event spaces, 34 state-of-theart meeting rooms, its 574 rooms overlook the historic Singapore River and combine luxurious elegance and contemporary style like no other. Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford, which might well be the epitome of hospitality, are directly connected to the Raffles City Convention Centre, offering more than 21,000 m2 of function space, with 27 meeting rooms.

Very handy for residential conferences.

is considered the greenest hotel in Singapore and has won multiple awards, including the Skyrise Greenery Award by the Singapore National Parks Board or Best Hotel Architecture Design at the latest South East Asia Property Awards, among many others.

Last but not least there is Parkroyal on Pickering, where I was lucky enough to stay. The hotel is like none I had seen before: its lofty sky gardens redefine the metropolitan skyline, while its exclusive rooftop, the Orchid Club Lounge, offers amazing 360 degree views of Singapore skyline for club room guests. Strategically located at the gateway to Singapore’s CBD, opposite Hong Lim Park, it also provides meeting space for up to 300 people.

No wonder Parkroyal on Pickering

Singapore is gradually changing its image as a purely business destination: in fact, it offers a unique concentration of different leisure activities designed to enhance the conference experience. Whether it’s its distinctive cultures (trips to Little India or Kampong Glam are a must) and dining options, whether it’s it vibrant arts scene and shopping venues, staying around at least a day before or after a convention is definitely worthwhile.

Besides providing meeting facilities, some venues I mentioned above have all added cultural, historical or entertainment options to their portfolio. With Marine Life ParkTM, Maritime Experiential MuseumTM, ArtScience MuseumTM as well as the Sands Skypark® (and this list is not

Singapore is gradually changing its image as a purely business destination: in fact, it offers a unique concentration of different leisure activities designed to enhance the conference experience Pre- and post-congress options

W Singapore - Sentosa Cove

exhaustive), activities are countless. Feel like visiting the museums after a meeting? Be our guest! Want to wander around dinosaurs and Transformers at the Universal Studios theme park? Feel free to do so! Longing for a long-running Broadway show at Marina Bay Sands®, don’t hesitate to buy a ticket! The message here is that Singapore offers a formidable array of interesting backdrops for activities or learning journeys that may be incorporated within the meeting programmes, allowing organisers to come up with creative ideas that will result in memorable experiences.

Little India

The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay 13

> Meetings & more

Only in Singapore As an individual Shopping: Singapore’s shopping mecca you don’t want to miss is called ION Orchard. Conveniently located 10 minutes away from the CBD, it’s packed with flagship and concept stores together with new-to-market brands. High-end luxury labels, fashionable high street brands, iconic time piece boutiques, art galleries, they’re all there. While there, don’t forget to check out Jewellery Street located at the basement with its fine selection of established jewellers.

Technology: Are you a bit of a geek? Then make time for the Funan DigitaLife Mall, the one-stop IT and electronics haven in Singapore.

Whether you’re in need of notebooks, desktops, cameras ore printers, everything’s there, under one roof.

Golf: Maybe one of the world’s only 18-hole public golf courses to be located in the heart of town, Marina Bay Golf Course offers picturesque views of the city skyline.

Breathtaking views: Sometimes it’s nice to take a step up, if not a few actually. Singapore’s skyline can in fact be enjoyed from many places.

You will feel the world is at your feet at KU DÉ TA Singapore, 200 metres above ground, LeVeL33, at 156 metres up, and 1-Altitude, towering at 282 metres. I personally enjoyed the latter, with great music and drinks.

Food: Local delicacies typical of Singapore include Chicken Rice, Bak Kut Teh and Fried Oyster Omelette. At Singapore Flyer, Singapore Food Trail will allow to step back in time and tuck into some of Singapore’s most famous hawker fare. An impressive selection of beers can be found at the Food Republic Beer Garden @ St James - I would know, I come from Belgium! Chilli Crab, arguably one of Singapore’s best known culinary inventions, can be savoured at Jumbo Riverside, close to Singapore icon, the Merlion.

As a group Supertrees, Gardens by the Bay

Gourmet or Cocktail Safari Express: only in Singapore can you drink and dine among pumas, leopards, raccoons, owls, hyenas, wolves and more.

Get local: Immerse yourself in Singapore’s daily life, and take Chinese calligraphy or dim sum-making lessons in Chinatown, play Chapteh or join the Ramly Burger Challenge in Kampong Glam and flip-a-prata in Little India.

New York Street Party: a Meet & Greet encounter with the cast of characters at Universal Studios Singapore® and a dinner ‘on location’ at a movie set, taking you back to the old days of New York’s Prohibition.

Sentosa Fort Siloso Quest: Fort Siloso is the only preserved fort left after the Japanese Occupation. There you can relive history thanks to interactive exhibits, life-sized replicas, actual guns and cannons and explore the old tunnels, dodging enemy fire while treasure hunting!

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international links

Access With almost 7,000 weekly flights on more than 100 international airlines, the award-winning Changi airport connects Singapore to 277 cities in 67 countries and territories around the world.

The travelling time to most Asian cities is less than 6 hours, and 3.5 hours to most ASEAN capitals.

There are around 400 weekly flights from Europe with a flight time of between 12 and 18 hours.

Travelling within Singapore is easy due to an efficient, reliable and affordable public transportation system. An All Day Travel Pass is available to visitors.

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