The brief for the Event Company, a Staging Connections Group company, was to create a high-impact end to the one-day business forum that would showcase both cultures. The event had to allow the Russian and Singaporean cultures to mix.
ChallengesThe dinner needed to contain elements that would reflect the two cultures involved. The Event Company decided to showcase Russian ice-skating talents set to a backdrop of Singaporean heritage. The challenge was building an ice-skating rink, on a beach, on a tropical island.Build-up took an entire week, starting with the construction of one of the largest air-conditioned marquees ever built in Singapore.It had transparent walls on one side so that guests would have seaviews throughout dinner.
The technical expertise and all necessary equipment had to be flown in to convert 50 tonnes of water into a giant sheet of ice.
ExecutionThe organisers wanted to ensure that delegates would have a longlasting impression of the forum and of Russian hospitality – and more importantly, to spark deeper business, cultural and political collaborations between the two countries.The ice-skating performance was spectacular. Performed by a who’s who of Russian skating, the skaters executed complex moves while wearing beautiful costumes. Pyrotechnics, moving lights, snow machines and a touch of humour all added to themagic of the night.
VerdictThe event’s unusual setting and its star-studded cast resulted in significant media coverage.This served the objectives of increasing awareness of Russian culture and business in Singapore.‘Wonderful’, ‘excellent’ and ‘spectacular’ were common accolades heard through thenight, from both the Russian and Singaporean delegates.The night sparked off collaborations in business and beyond. Talks of collaborationbetween the Russians and the Singapore Ice Skating Association were initiatedthanks to this event.
Camilla Wong
