MICE Asia's Singapore debut

Singapore played host to the inaugural MICE Asia Executive Congress, organised by Naseba, from July 24 to 26, 2005. Some 150 international business delegates came together to network and ink deals with conference, exhibition and incentive vendors at the Raffles City Convention Centre. Guests stayed at Raffles Hotel and Raffles The Plaza. The event commenced with an exclusive welcome dinner at the Istana, the official residence of the president of Singapore. The guest of honour was senior minister Goh Chok Tong, Singapore's former prime minister. Raffles Hotel staff served cocktails and dinner at the Istana. Naseba, organiser of the event, appointed East West Executive Travellers as the DMC. East West Executive Travellers chief executive officer Janet Tan-Collis said: "The easiest part was working with STB to clinch the event in Singapore. "The challenge was to ensure that we fulfilled the promises we made such as getting a minister to grace the event at the Istana. "Security was also a very big challenge as there were no fewer than 700 people who went into the Istana for the event, including technicians who changed light bulbs, chefs and taxi drivers. "Bomb sweeps were conducted for each vehicle that entered the Istana's grounds. We had to submit the particulars of every taxi driver. Some 40 to 50 London cabs were used for transportation from Raffles The Plaza to the Istana." Distinguished hotels Tan-Collis and her team incorporated Singapore icons Raffles Hotel, the Istana and Singapore Airlines into the entire event's theme. "The Istana was the ideal choice as it is in a colonial setting and has history. We had wanted the delegates to go in trishaws but it just wasn't possible with the security checks," she said. Clinching the right to hold the event at the Istana was a rare feat as it is rarely used for private events. Delegates were given a VIProyal welcome by SIA air stewardesses, STB officials, Raffles Hotel staff and musicians in ethnic costumes. A150-strong children's choir comprising several local schools presented a rendition of local songs. During dinner indoors, violin protégé Gabriel Ng wowed the crowd with his repertoire of melodies. Naseba event producer Chris White said: "Like most attendees, we were particularly impressed and proud of the welcome dinner at the Istana and would like to again thank the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and government of Singapore for making this happen. "We are well aware that the government does not open its doors for any privately owned business functions and this lent the evening an air of exclusivity that was appreciated by everyone. "To have attendees welcomed to the event and to Singapore in general by senior minister Goh Chok Tong, who was prime minister of Singapore for 14 years and is one of Singapore's leading statesmen, also greatly benefited the opening night." During the day, there were business meetings and talks given by leading corporate travel buyers. On the second night, the gala dinner was celebrated at Raffles Hotel. Participants were taken on a special culinary journey, savouring food from seven locations such as Cambodia, Beijing and Montreux where Raffles and Swissôtel properties are operated. Sentosa contrast The last evening was hosted at Sentosa. Delegates were transferred from their hotels to Mount Faber to sip cocktails at the Skydeck followed by dinner at the Arches, an old colonial bungalow. This was followed by a chillout session at KM8, a beach bar. Said Tan-Collis: "The Sentosa experience was truly a contrast for our participants, from the Raffles Hotel and Istana to the beach. "Many of them were amazed that Singapore as a city is situated so close and next to the beach. When they were in Sentosa, they felt like they were in Hawaii and in some faraway resort." BUYER VERDICT WARM RESPONSE Frost & Sullivan, Asia Pacific marketing manager, technology practice, Olivia Goh said: "I met many good contacts. Initially, I was disappointed to have only three one-on-one meetings scheduled, but the Naseba team was pretty good about putting me in touch with vendors for impromptu meetings. I plan on attending next year." Goh was pleased with the hospitality and attention to detail. Her company organises about three summit conferences for around 150 people per event, and an annual award ceremony for about 200 delegates. Accenture meeting and event planning lead (India) Biju Chanath said: "I went for the orientation tour of Singapore on the first day. It was a great beginning to the entire event, In fact, our tour guide, Lawrence, managed to explain a large part of the history of Singapore and the different communities which form a great nation. "He also enlightened us all about the various structures and its significance in Singapore history. It would be difficult to term what was the most enjoyable part of the entire tour, since it was very well managed in the short span of close to three hours, and I would like to commend Lawrence in doing a thorough job." Chanath found the one-on-one meetings valuable as he wanted to meet DMCs and service providers to forge alliances with some of them. "I have started to liaise with them for options already, so I would say that the results have been instantaneous. My goal was to expand my horizon and knowledge in the CEI sector, which can prove fruitful for my company. Second, in terms of the networking, I think Accenture now has valuable tie-ups not only with DMCs, but with associations like STB, which can certainly enhance the experience of my people or incentives travelling to destinations like Singapore." Chanath went on a post-event inspection to Langkawi because he has been sending groups to Langkawi without having been to the island. He managed to see seven hotels in one day. "This will help me in making a decision of which hotel to choose." Within India, Accenture handles between 60 and 80 meetings and conferences each month for 15 to 8,000 people. In the past year, 12 incentives for 65 people each have been to destinations in Southeast Asia. The last incentive tour was to Koh Samui for about 12 people. Manila-based Octavio B Peralta, secretary general, Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific, said: "My aim in attending the event was precisely to know more about what's out there in terms of products and services offered by CEI sellers, and how they can be employed in making our association meetings and conferences always exciting. "Additionally, meeting and networking with service providers is a big plus in eventually procuring their services in the future. If given a chance to be a hosted buyer again, I will definitely attend future events. "The Istana dinner was something special with the presence of no less than the former PM. The selection of venues and food, including the Raffles Hotel was a dream come true. Peralta's association runs two big conferences annually for a minimum of 100 member-delegates and guests from 30 countries, and six to eight seminars and board meetings around the region per year, with 20 to 25 persons attending. Like Chanath, Peralta, who is based in Makati, said he did not get a chance to fly with Singapore Airlines (SIA) from the Philippines, although it was the official carrier for the event. "I always like to fly SIA, but unfortunately since it took some time for the SIA contact person for the MICE Asia event to respond to my email inquiring about the special delegate rate, and as I had to go abroad at that time, I flew Philippine Airlines instead. I will fly SIA to Jakarta later this month. There is excellent service on SIA."