SACEOS launches industry resilience roadmap for the future of mice and events

The Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS), together with Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Enterprise Singapore (ESG), has commenced work on an Industry Resilience Roadmap (IRR), which will serve as an “operational handbook” for MICE enterprises to develop their agility and build resilience for a post-Covid world.

The IRR is focused on three strategic objectives:

1. Safe and sustainable operating environment: Outlining safe and hygienic protocols for the reopening of events with a focus on the customer journey
2. Strengthen enterprise capabilities to innovate and scale-up: Embedding digital foundations and risk-mitigated business models that enable us to be agile in years ahead
3. Build a strong and vibrant industry to drive future change: Developing new and certifiable capabilities, establishing a national qualified list of industry players.

“This crisis hasn’t simply paused our plans, it has fundamentally altered the way we live, work and play. The rules of engagement have changed, and difficult decisions will have to be made, which is why we must rally together to strengthen our workforce and business capabilities to ensure we emerge stronger and better prepared for future crises,” SACEOS president, Aloysius Arlando, said.

Since the outbreak of the virus, SACEOS has launched specialised support programmes, including a number of SME Clinics focused on risk management, and continues to represent the industry’s needs through constructive dialogue with stakeholders in both the public and private sector.

On 01 June, SACEOS met with Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Education, Mr Chee Hong Tat, who shared insights into the government’s recovery plans.

“With a focus on maintaining community health and safety, the reopening of the Singapore economy will be a very gradual process. These cautious steps are necessary to ensure we are firmly on the road to recovery,” Arlando said.
“The re-opening of Singapore’s MICE and Event industry will therefore be calibrated against national advisories and will likely depend on a number of ‘test-water events’ that may be trialled in Phase Two (Safe Transition) or in the later part of the year.

“Right now, our industry is at a strategic crossroads. We must marshal our collective wisdom and strength to revitalise our businesses and create new pathways for our workforce in the new world order so that Singapore can continue to be truly competitive; a global Asia node to behold,” Arlando said.