Singapore MICE Forum 2024 (SMF)
Moments & Momentum
The Singapore MICE Forum (SMF) was a remarkable success, held on 25-26 July at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Level 4, Roselle Simpor Ballroom. The event brought together a passionate community of industry players to create unforgettable Moments and drive unstoppable Momentum.
We were honored to have Mr. Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry (Singapore) & Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), as our Guest-of-Honor. His presence underscored the critical role that the MICE industry plays in Singapore’s economic growth.
Over two dynamic days, the forum featured an expert line-up of over 30 industry leaders who explored emerging trends and pivotal issues. From the future of AI and Sustainability to the evolving landscape of Talent, Community, and Sales & Marketing, attendees were inspired by discussions that fueled innovation and collaboration.
Organised by SACEOS, the Singapore MICE Forum was not just the industry’s premier thought-leadership and networking conference; it was a celebration of the power of Moments and the unstoppable Momentum that defines the very best of our industry. The event provided opportunities to network in person with over 400 industry peers from Singapore and the region, explore cutting-edge ideas, and forge valuable connections that will shape the future of business events.
- Day 0 | 24 July 2024
- Day 1 | 25 July 2024
- Day 2 | 26 July 2024
Singapore MICE Forum 2024 – Welcome Cocktail
Time: 6PM – 8PM (SG TIME)
Venue: THE GRANDE WHISKY MUSEUM | SAINT-LOUIS HOUSE
3 Temasek Boulevard, Tower 5, #01-455 Suntec City Mall, Singapore 038983
8AM – 9AM: Registration and Networking at Marketplace
Registration starts at 08:00
9AM – 9:15AM: Pre-Conference Energiser
9:15AM – 9:25AM: Welcome by SACEOS President
Mr Richard Ireland, President, SACEOS, CEO, Asia, Clarion Events Asia Pte Ltd
9:25AM – 10:05AM: Singapore: Riding The Next Wave
Panel Discussion:
- Singapore’s time and place in a rising Asia
- Brand Singapore – internal and external perspectives
- The new age of soft power, and how to exercise it
- Unity in divisiveness and diversity
- Relevance in the face of turbulence, trends, and technology
Panelists:
- Mr Malminderjit Singh, Chief Operating Officer and Regional Director, APAC at Speyside Group
- Mr Koh Buck Song, Author of “Brand Singapore”; Country Brand Adviser
Moderator:
Mr Dylan Sharma, Co-founder and Director, TRICOM, Vice-President (Advocacy and Communications), SACEOS
10:05AM – 10:50AM: Visionary and Outlook Panel – The Time is Now for Asia!
Panel Discussion:
- The global MICE industry is estimated to register annual growth of 7.2 per cent from 2023 to 2032, to surpass US$1.7 trillion (S$2.3 trillion) by 2032, according to Precedence Research in a report released in 2023. In the Asia-Pacific region, the MICE industry is set to expand at an even higher annual growth rate of 7.4 per cent over the same period, accounting for almost half of global market share by 2032.
- Perspective on Asia Pacific market growth potential : new industries, new markets, new business models
- Singapore aspiration to be World’s Best MICE City : what drives this and how can the eco-system work together
- Can Singapore potentially drive global growth? What can we as an industry look forward to, locally and globally?
Panelists:
- Ms Elaine Chia, CEO Asia Pacific, Comexposium
- Mr Michael Wilton, CEO & Managing Director at Messe Muenchen International Asia Pte Ltd
- Mr Edward Koh, Executive Director, Singapore Tourism Board
- Ms Alison Jackson, Group Managing Director, Nineteen Group
Moderator:
Mr Richard Ireland, CEO, Asia, Clarion Events Asia Pte Ltd, President, SACEOS
10:50AM – 11:30AM: Quick Bites (Teabreak) at Marketplace
11:30AM – 11:45AM: Welcome Address by GOH
Welcome Address by Guest of Honour, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr Alvin Tan
11:45AM – 12PM: Transforming Events into Thriving Communities
This talk focuses on how MICE events can be a springboard for building long-term communities that drive business growth. Building a vibrant community around your event can be your secret weapon for attracting new attendees and driving long-term growth. Building a thriving community around your event is no longer optional. It’s a strategic investment that fosters attendee loyalty, increases brand advocacy, and ultimately drives sustainable growth for your MICE events.
Presenter:
Ms Grace Clapham, Director & Founder, Designing Communities
12PM – 12:45PM: The Power of Connection: Building Stronger Communities Through Engagement
Panel Discussion:
- This topic explores innovative strategies for creating vibrant, engaged communities within MICE events. It includes a discussion on the role of technology, the importance of personal connections, and the future trends in community engagement.
- Turning recurring Events into a community
- Experience Curation and Creation
- Monetisation Magic: Turning Your Community into a Sustainable Revenue Stream
Panelists:
- Ms Grace Clapham, Director & Founder, Designing Communities
- Ms Vivian Lim, Lead Curator, TEDxSingapore, Co Founder of The Idea Co.
- Mr Navin Suri, Curator, The Founders Peak Community at Elevandi
Moderator:
Mr Ian Wu, CEO & Co-Owner, HUONE Singapore
12:45PM – 2:15PM: Networking Lunch | Showcase at The Marketplace
2:15PM – 2:30PM: Energiser with Song Division
2:30PM – 3:15PM: What’s YOUR Story? How Marketers Can Leverage on Emerging Tech in Their Marketing Strategies
Examining the latest trends and developments, including the use of AI, data analytics, and personalisation to enable marketers to create impactful storytelling.
Panel Discussion:
- The power of personalisation through AI
- Values-based marketing
- Content scaling
- Experiential marketing activations
Panelists:
- Mr Jason Chen, Director, Place Management, Urban Redevelopment Authority
- Mr Danny Levy, Managing Director Asia & ANZ, Money 20/20
- Ms Sheila Berman, Co-Host, B2B Marketing Asia Podcast
Moderator:
Mr Ong Wee Min, Vice President of Conventions & Exhibitions, Marina Bay Sands
3:15PM – 3:30PM: Sustainability – A Key Strategic Thrust
Exploring how sustainability is becoming a core aspect of event planning, focusing on trends, challenges, and opportunities.
- Touch on how they have create a framework to promote sustainability across SDC and its island partners.
- Communication and Engagement of partners
- How to build competencies across internal and external stakeholders
Presenter:
Mr Lee Cheh Hsien, Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate and Sustainability Group), Sentosa Development Corporation
3:30PM – 4:15PM: Emerging Trends and Opportunities for our Industry
Panel Discussion:
- Industry Progress
- Emerging Trends, Carbon Budgets, Net Zero Pathways and Sustainable Destinations
- The Greenwash Risk
- ESG Equilibrium
Panelists:
- Mr Lee Cheh Hsien, Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate and Sustainability Group), Sentosa Development Corporation
- Mr Sukumar Verma, Managing Director, Informa Markets and Vice President, Industry & Enterprise, SACEOS
- Ms Sanghamitra Bose, Vice President Traveler Care Asia Pacific, American Express Global Business Travel
Moderator:
Mr Roger Simons, Director, Sustainability, Marina Bay Sands
4:15PM – 5PM: Song Division / Showcase at The Marketplace
5PM: End of the Singapore MICE Forum 2024 Day 1
6:30PM – 7:30PM: Singapore MICE Awards 2024 Pre-Cocktail and Networking
*Tickets sold separately
7:30PM – 10PM: Singapore MICE Awards 2024 Ceremony and Gala Dinner
10PM: End of the Singapore MICE Awards 2024
9:00AM – 9:05AM: Welcome
9:05AM – 9:20AM: Digital Transformation – The Way Forward
Exploring technology advancements and how they are transforming and/or disrupt the events industry , e.g. AI-driven experiences, hyper-personalisation etc.
Presenter:
Mr Rizwan Hazarika, Executive Director, Digital and Emerging Tech Consulting, EY
9:20AM – 10:05AM: Futureproofing Your Events – Navigating the Evolving Event Tech Landscape
Panel Discussion:
- Latest trends, emerging technologies, and strategies for leveraging event tech to future-proof events.
- Can cover topics such as immersive experiences, data-driven decision making, sustainable event solutions, which will also equip marketing professionals with the knowledge to stay ahead of the curve and deliver exceptional, future-ready events
- The Data-Driven Event: Unlocking Actionable Insights to Drive Event Success
Panelists:
- Mr Rizwan Hazarika, Executive Director, Digital and Emerging Tech Consulting, EY
- Mr Simon Dale, Vice President – Asia, Adobe
- Ms Bell Beh, Group CEO & Co-Founder, BuzzAR
Moderator:
Mr Errol Lim, Co-Founder & COO, Jublia
10:05AM -10:50AM: Quick Bites (Teabreak) at The Marketplace
10:50AM – 11:05AM: Empowering Excellence: Mentoring and Professional Coaching for Talent Development in the
Singapore MICE Industry
- The Importance of Mentoring and Professional Coaching in the context of Talent Development in the MICE Sector
- Benefits of Mentoring and Coaching Programs for Talent Development
- Strategies for Implementing Effective Mentoring and Coaching Initiatives
Presenter:
Dr Nisha Abu Bakar, Founder, Elevated Consultancy & Training
11:05AM – 11:55AM: The Need for Talent Development: Investing in People for Excellence
Panel Discussion:
- Effective Talent Acquisition Strategies for Performance – innovative approaches to attracting and securing top talents in the hospitality/MICE sector
- Creating Diversity and Building Inclusive Teams – putting DEI to work and what can the MICE industry learn from the MNCs who are embracing and practising it?
- Soft Skills that Make a Difference; Mindset that Sets Us Apart
- A Return to Mentorship and Personal Coaching – what does mentorship mean and how can we effectively build legacy through it?
Panelists:
- Mr Frank Koo, Founder & Director, Nexplay
- Mr Edward Chew, Director Service Development, Employment, SG Enable
- Ms Neeta Lachmandas, Founder, ConsciousService
- Dr Nisha Abu Bakar, Founder, Elevated Consultancy & Training
Moderator:
Ms Adeline Lim, Vice President, Professional Development , SACEOS
11:55AM – 12PM: Closing Remarks for Singapore MICE Forum 2024
12PM – 2PM: Networking Lunch | Showcase at The Marketplace
2PM – 6PM: Singapore MICE Challenge 2024 – FINALS
6PM: End of Singapore MICE Challenge 2024
Updated as of 19 July 2024
