In this week’s #SGSafeEventAmbassador spotlight, we speak to Diana Sani, Head of Events of Chab Events as she shares the journey in becoming a certified SG SafeEvent Ambassador and how it will help the events industry provide a sense of assurance.

1. Tell us a little bit about what you do 

As Head of Events in Chab Events (Singapore), I oversee the conceptualizing, planning, organizing and execution of experiential events covering small, medium and large-scale events. Depending on the requirements, these events were delivered either virtually from a production studio, or a fully physical event organized within a function space such as a hotel ballroom or a hybrid setting that includes having onsite and virtual attendees. 

Our client profile comes from a diverse range of industries which includes clients from the luxury sector, pharmaceutical industry, as well as the lifestyle sector, to name a few. 

2. What inspired you to become a SG SafeEvent Ambassador 

COVID-19 has been the biggest crisis we have ever faced in the Meetings, Incentive, Conference, Events (MICE) industry. In an industry where we thrive on face-to-face meetings and engagements, regulations and protocol that limits these interactions posed new challenges on the way we plan and deliver experiential events.

Back in March 2021, I was seeking for a more structured and in depth understanding of the regulations to better prepare myself. I was searching for available materials on how I can equip myself better as a business event planner with the relevant and essential knowledge of SG MICE Safe Management Measures (SMM) regulations. After learning what the course offerings were, I felt it provided a great structure and regulatory information one needs to consider when planning for business events, responsibly.

3. What are the key learnings and skills you picked up from the course and how will it benefit you in your work? 

SG SafeEvent Ambassador course provided considerations and techniques to put in practice, while implementing prevailing regulations for events conducted here in Singapore. 

Examples shared during the course were relevant and provided a complete approach on the operational SMMs. I find it useful in applying the course learnings onto the events we produce, to ensure each of our clients’ events are organized safely, and responsibly.

Additionally, the 2nd part of the course provided effective communication strategies while ensuring SMMs are compliant onsite. I found this particularly interesting to prepare business event planners such as myself to handle potentially delicate or intense situations while carrying out the responsibilities of a SafeEvent Ambassador onsite. This part of the course trains us in using tactful language and delivering messages with empathy. 

In this global pandemic climate we are in today, where handshakes are rare, and wearing face masks is a mandatory regulation, it inhibits us to correctly identify genuine emotions of each other during our interactions. Our non-verbal cues (our face), a key manner for us to express our emotions is limited, while having our masks on. 

The course provided the viewpoint that while it is vital to advocate SMMs are compliant onsite, our verbal cues and messages should be diplomatically communicated as well. This is equally important, relaying regulatory protocols but with a mindful delivery. As we are gearing up to start opening our borders to a global audience with a multi-cultural and a diversified professional level, we too must be ready that our attendees may not be familiar with Singapore’s prevailing regulations in Singapore. 

4. Why would you encourage others to be a SG SafeEvent Ambassador? 

As a business event planner, it is our responsibility to closely align ourselves with Singapore’s regulations when we plan, design and produce our onsite/hybrid events to ensure our events are compliant to SG SMM MICE for a SafeEvent delivery. Collectively, with a more learned and knowledgeable MICE community as a whole, we can all help to contribute to the recovering business events industry in Singapore.

 I have definitely found this program particularly useful to equip MICE and Event planners such as myself with the necessary knowledge and application of the SG SafeEvent Standard to ensure guests’ safety, compliance and wellbeing, regardless of the industry type our clients are in.

If you’re interested in becoming a SG SafeEvent Ambassador, click here to find out more, or contact us at [email protected]