Associations Help Place Singapore as a Top MICE Destination

Local associations based in Singapore have played a key role in anchoring a number of world congresses in Asia and Singapore, addressing the growing need for Asian-specific content and platforms in the industries they support.

Working collaboratively with their various Chapters, members, as well as the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau, local associations have strengthened Singapore’s reputation as one of the world’s top meeting cities.

These concerted efforts have played a part in helping Singapore emerge tops in both the city and country rankings in the Union of International Associations’ (UIA) 2011 Global Rankings released earlier in June. This is the first time Singapore has topped the country category and placed above developed Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) destinations like Japan and the United States.

Singapore also maintained its position as “Top International Meeting City” for the fifth consecutive year. This comes closely after its recent win as Asia’s Top Convention City for 10 years running, according to the latest Global Rankings by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

“We are proud to have reached the top of UIA’s Global Rankings for International Meeting Countries, and also maintained our position as Top International Meeting City. These accolades are testament to the commitment and hard work of our local associations and other partners in the MICE industry. Their constant efforts towards capability upgrading, knowledge sharing and product innovation are key enablers of our business success,” said Ms Jeannie Lim, Executive Director, Conventions & Meetings and Exhibitions & Conferences at the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

Of the meetings hosted in Singapore in 2011, 919 meetings met UIA’s qualifying criteria, representing a growth of 27% over 2010. Some of these meetings include the World Congress of the International Academy of Oral Oncology, World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, International Association for Volunteer Efforts Biennial Conference, International Air Transport Association World Passenger Symposium, World Orchid Conference and the World Currency Conference.

Local Associations

“Behind many successful congresses and meetings are pro-active local associations who collaborate with partners to secure the event in Singapore, and strive behind the scenes to ensure the event achieves its objectives,” said Ms Lim. “These local associations form a solid support base for Singapore’s conventions and meetings industry. Their commitment to bringing in quality events has contributed to enhancing the capabilities not only of their respective sectors, but also of the meetings and conventions industry.”

Associations constantly seek to provide value to their members. One of the key benefits that members attach importance to is knowledge-sharing with their international counterparts on the current issues of today. With international attention on Asia as a key engine of growth, there is an increasingly pressing need for discussion platforms that offer relevant, Asian-specific content.

For example, with eye research programmes expanding in many countries in Asia, the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) recognised the value of an Asian edition of the annual meeting held by the Washington-based Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). An Asian edition of the meeting would not only provide an Asian platform to discuss ophthalmology research, but also reflect ARVO’s commitment to partnering Asian countries with eye research programmes. SERI conceptualised and organised two very successful SERI-ARVO meetings in 2003 and 2005 which have since evolved into the Asia-ARVO meeting held in Singapore in 2007 and again in January 2011.

One of the notable new events that had been created by local associations includes the World Tamil Writers Conference 2011 that was part of the Singapore Writers’ Festival 2011, by the Association of Singapore Tamil Writers, which saw speakers from more than 10 countries. The success of the event has resulted in plans to bring the conference overseas.

In the healthcare sector, noteworthy events include the International Dental Exhibition and Meeting Singapore 2012 (IDEM) by the Singapore Dental Association, which witnessed a 20% growth of delegates from 2010, highlighting the event’s increasing scale. The 15th World Conference on Tobacco 2012 was also held for the first time in South East Asia to great success, drawing delegates from over 100 countries.

Further examples of first time events in Asia include the upcoming Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) 2013, the NAAMBA Global MBA Conference 2012, the Young Presidents Organisation Global Leadership Conference (YPOGLC) 2012, 33rd Annual International Association of Technological University Libraries (IATUL) Conference 2012, International Conference on Next Generation Technologies for Bioenergy and Biomass Utilisation 2012, 4th International Congress of Zookeepers 2012, and International Association of Gaming Regulators Conference 2012, to name a few.

In addition, Singapore is home to more than 100 International Non-Profit Organisations (INPOs) and social enterprises such as World Vision International and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These INPOs have also contributed a significant number of events held in Singapore.

IATA for example, hosted eight events in 2011, playing a key role in the landmark number of aviation events held in Singapore. These include the IATA’s Annual General Meeting, the IATA World Passenger Symposium and the inaugural Human Capital Aviation Summit. These events brought together the leadership of aviation companies from around the world to Singapore.

As more local associations and INPOs expand their capabilities to develop in-depth content for their members, they join event organisers, venue operators, and other experience providers in the MICE eco-system in developing Singapore’s growing thought leadership in key industry sectors.

“It is the collective effort of all stakeholders in the MICE industry that strengthens Singapore as a centre for knowledge exchange, creating a dynamic setting for professionals to share ideas, explore business opportunities, and forge new partnerships,” Ms. Lim added.

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