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ABOUT SMF 2026

The MICE industry is undergoing rapid transformation, shaped by geopolitical uncertainties, economic volatility, and accelerating AI-driven disruption. Themed “Going Beyond”, SMF 2026 challenges us to unlearn traditional models, push our curiosity beyond comfort zones, and rethink leadership, value, and impact — from redefining “heartware” leadership to navigating a world where chaos is the new normal.

This year’s Forum will explore how MICE companies can build resilience and agility, create high-performance teams, and respond to a landscape where value has replaced loyalty. As AI transformation reshapes work and business models, key conversations will tackle the rise of one-person unicorns, the balance between creation and management, and whether AI is enabling more — or making us think less.

Bringing together MICE and industry leaders from Singapore and across the region, SMF 2026 calls for a stronger drive for collaboration — to do greater things together, learn across platforms, and transform meaningfully. Join us to go beyond — and shape the future of the MICE industry together.

AGENDA ON 30 JULY 2026

Take a moment and imagine the strategy map of your organisation or event. While we thrive as a company that is built on comprehensive infrastructure, good governance and clear policies, how does “heartware” come into play? Strategic leadership that balances the use of hardware with optimal utilisation of human talent do not guarantee the leader our hearts, our passion, our “going beyond”. Can you now imagine the quantum leap and transformation in your organisation and even if all hearts are aligned, a team that serves not just the bottom line?  

Recent global uncertainties have thrown all business plans out the window. While many business leaders take a wait-and-see approach, can we still survive if nothing holds or changes? In this panel, global thinkers will share how Asian businesses can capitalise on the current chaotic landscape to carve a pathway for growth.

 

With AI permeating almost every layer of work, personal life, and education—and its ability to provide immediate feedback through a near-personification of intelligence—many people are beginning to over-rely on it. Do we implement and use AI for the sake of it because of the risk associated with not using it? Do all these ‘conveniences’ then make us lazy and thus stop creating, but just managing? There is growing research and evidence showing that this cognitive offloading does impact critical thinking that requires active cognitive engagement to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information. Are we getting dumber???

It should never be mutually exclusive – the rise of “One-Person Unicorns” and the threat of mass unemployment represent two sides of the same AI-driven coin. We are entering an era where the leverage of a single human has never been higher, but the floor for traditional employment has never been more fragile. Technology isn’t just taking jobs; it’s changing the unit of production from the team to the  individual.

Managing high-performance teams requires a shift from traditional supervision to strategic orchestration. It is the art of aligning elite individual talents into a singular, cohesive force that consistently delivers exceptional results. The core of this management style lies in fostering an environment of psychological safety where innovation can flourish without the fear of failure. Effective leaders of these teams focus on extreme clarity—ensuring every member understands not just their tasks, but how their specific output fuels the overarching mission.

The “Good Enough” concept has plateaued, given the multitude of cheaper alternatives and some even come with better value or outcome. Consumers are no longer “loyal” to names; they are loyal to the demonstrated benefit they receive in every transaction. Loyalty has been redefined, the “Value Economy” is here to stay. This session explores how the traditional social contract between brands and buyers has been rewritten, moving from a foundation of historical trust to one of relentless, real-time performance. So then what are the new “service wrappers” can businesses offer to sustain a longer fight or to even defend your margins? 

Over the last 25 years we have gone from the knowledge economy, gig economy to the value economy. Is the creator economy here to stay? Is that even at all possible in this day of instant gratification and value-based consumption? What do creators do to remain relevant and financially sustainable?

This panel examines the shift toward mission-led operations, arguing that purpose-driven leadership attracts talent and deepens customer loyalty through the Triple Bottom Line. It highlights how companies or individuals are evolving into catalysts for social change and the bigger good, fostering resilient, value-driven organizations over profit-first models. 

SPEAKERS

Christophe Al-Taie

Head of Events & Brand Experience,
Asia Pacific JJL

Ian Loon

Chief Executive Officer, Media & Digital, Singapore
Chief Transformation Officer, Southeast Asia Publicis Groupe

Kelly Keak

Managing Director,
mtm labo Singapore

Leon Boey

Fashion Director, Founder of Livingseas Asia and Livingseas Foundation

Max Ng

Executive Director,
Tong Seng Produce

Winnie Chan

CEO and Co-founder,
Bynd Artisan

Xiong Lingyi

Co-founder & Director,
01 Studio (Wah!Banana)

Zachary Wang

Co-founder,
Level3AI