(Singapore, 6 October 2021) The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced the inking of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). This follows the September 5, 2021 signings of MOUs with the DesignSingapore Council and leading exhibition organisers Fiera Milano, dmg events, and MP Singapore, to officially launch FIND (Furniture, Interiors and Design): Asia Design Fair. 

The collaborations are a boost to the MICE industry in Singapore and demonstrate Singapore’ continued position as a Global-Asia node for MICE, and a launchpad for international event organisers to expand in the region. 

“As Singapore journeys towards COVID-resilience,” stated Mr Yap Chin Siang, Deputy Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, “we will continue to facilitate the safe and gradual resumption of MICE events. The new partnerships are a testament to our solid economic fundamentals and reflect Singapore’s strong standing as a Global-Asia Node for MICE and business. While the pandemic has changed the way we work and travel, Singapore remains committed to strengthening existing partnerships while forging new ones.”

SACEOS x AEO x SISO x UFI x STB Signing

On October 6, STB signed a three-year MoU with the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS), and international MICE associations Association of Event Organisers (AEO), Society for Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry to host Asia CEO Summit @ Singapore (ACS@Sg) in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The launch event for 2021 is named the Joint Leadership Summit (JLS) – AEO / SACEOS / SISO / UFI, bringing together major global event organisers, trade association leaders, tourism bureau chiefs and Government ministers from across Asia and South-east Asia. 

Mr Aloysius Arlando, President, SACEOS gave the keynote address, “Singapore is committed to working with regional and global industry partners to underscore and bring back the core purpose of exhibitions/business events – driving commerce. And SACEOS is delighted that the Joint Leadership Summit of AEO / SACEOS / SISO / UFI will be held in Singapore, as it further strengthens the country’s long-standing position as a safe and trusted centre for exhibitions/business events. We believe this event will be a testament of Singapore’s commitment in reopening our borders safely, and pave the way for the restart of exhibitions/business events not just locally, but regionally.” 

“The upcoming Joint Leadership Summit in Singapore,” added Mr Anbu Varathan, President, UFI, “is a significant milestone on the road to pandemic recovery. It demonstrates that through cooperation, we can safely and productively restart business events. Singapore is an important destination in the region for bringing business communities together, and with eager anticipation, we look forward to all of the South-east Asia region opening up its travel, allowing for the recovery and renewal of business activity through the springboard of events.” 

“AEO is home to many of the largest independent exhibition and event organisers who operate across the world, and Singapore is home to a number of their regional offices. The Joint Leadership Summit will see executive leaders from the AEO, SACEOS, SISO, and UFI come together, face to face for the first time in almost two years,” Mr Chris Skeith OBE, Chief Executive Officer, AEO added. 

DMG x ESG x STB Signing

This signing was followed by dmg Events, Enterprise Singapore and STB putting their signatures on an MoU to anchor Gastech 2023 in Singapore. Gastech, the world’s largest integrated exhibition and conference supporting the gas, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen and energy value chain, is scheduled to take place at Singapore Expo in September 2023. It will be attended by energy industry thought leaders, policy makers and industrial energy decision makers, who will discuss trends, opportunities and pertinent challenges faced by the global energy market. 

The MICE industry plays a key role in Singapore’s tourism industry, bringing about significant spillover benefits to the economy, including sectors such as lifestyle and hospitality. Beyond that, business events are essential platforms to connect local businesses to the global marketplace. The anchoring of ACS@Sg and Gastech 2023 in Singapore, will enable Singapore to launch high-quality international tradeshows that appeal to South-east Asian and international audiences, reinforcing its position as a leading MICE destination, and a safe and trusted Global-Asia node for MICE and business.

“The world has a dual dilemma,” Mr Christopher Hudson, President, dmg events said, “it needs more energy to meet the growing population demand but with fewer emissions. Asia is the fastest growing energy demand centre globally. Gastech looks to address both the challenges and opportunities through its strategic and technical conference agendas and through its exhibition. It  provides a business environment to showcase the latest products, services and technologies to accelerate the energy transition. Gastech will take place in September 2023 in Singapore and will convene the global energy industry to deliver a cleaner, sustainable and affordable energy future for all.” 

Another of the signatories, Mr Jeffrey Siow, Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer, Enterprise Singapore, noted “Singapore is one of the largest LNG trading hubs in the world, with more than 50 companies doing trading from here. Many more companies all across the LNG value chain, in engineering, digital technologies and energy related services, are based here. Enterprise Singapore is therefore delighted to partner dmg and the Singapore Tourism Board to host Gastech 2023. This flagship industry event will facilitate our companies to find new opportunities and support further growth for the sector.

"Singapore has always been a strong gateway to the South-east Asia region and will provide the perfect opportunity to come together to discuss the restart and reopening of business events. We are grateful to STB who have supported the event, and to SACEOS for their continued support in delivering both this event and the inaugural ACS@Sg in 2022.” 

Also in attendance was Mr Hervé Sedky, SISO Chair, President & CEO of Emerald: “SISO represents the leading for- profit show organising businesses around the world and as such has taken a major role in working with the key partner organisations in advocating for the safe reopening of the exhibitions industry across the globe."

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