The Singapore Tourism Board has signed three MoUs (memorandum of understandings) with international event organisers at TravelRevive – a pilot international travel tradeshow and conference, powered by ITB Asia and STB.
TravelRevive was the first such tradeshow to take place physically in Asia Pacific during Covid-19 involving foreign attendees and exhibitors. The event was hosted at Marina Bay Sands, 25-26 November.
The collaborations are a boost to the MICE industry in Singapore and demonstrate international organisers’ confidence in the country as a global and Asia node for MICE, and as launchpad for regional expansion.
First, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and STB signed a one-year MoU with B2B event organiser Informa Tech to launch a new international technology event in Singapore. Slated for the second half of 2021, the event will bring together governments and businesses in the infocomm, media and tech ecosystem to discuss topics related to innovation and digital transformation in the tech sector. The flagship tech event will also allow Singapore to tap into new and existing international networks and Informa’s expertise to create and grow new best-in-class events in Singapore.
Second, Fiera Milano and STB inked a three-year MoU to establish a Southeast Asia (SEA) Regional Headquarters (RHQ) in Singapore. The new office will be Fiera Milano’s first Southeast Asian headquarters and will make them the first Italian professional exhibition organiser to set up its RHQ in Singapore.
Third, Messe München’s MoU signed with STB a one-year agreement also establishing a Southeast Asia (SEA) Regional Headquarters (RHQ) in Singapore. New anchor events are expected to be created in Singapore as a result of the move. The new office and collaboration with STB is expected to play a key role in exporting Messe München’s established tradeshows to the region.
At the MoU signing ceremony, Ms Carolyn Dawson, managing director, Informa Tech said: “Informa Tech’s key mission is to inspire tech communities to design, build and run a better digital world. We are thrilled to partner with IMDA and STB to co-create an event that will provide the platform to drive discourse on the acceleration of Asia’s digital transformation journey, and set the stage for innovators across Asia, and Singapore as the region’s tech hub, to shine among the international tech community.”
Mr Howie Lau, assistant chief executive, Infocomm Media Development Authority added: “This flagship tech event provides government and policy makers, business and tech leaders an excellent platform to exchange dialogue, discuss technology trends, opportunities and challenges to bring about increased collaborations and mutual benefits for the region and internationally. Singapore is well-positioned to host such an event as Asia continues to grow in technological influence and has seen the rise of many indigenous digital players, including Grab, SEA Group and Gojek, fuelled by a burgeoning tech-savvy user based and a thriving digital ecosystem.”
Ms Ilaria Cicero, general counsel and M&A director, Fiera Milano Group said her company’s MoU would allow her company to enter for the first time in the ASEAN market and set up a regional office in Singapore. “This will further strengthen our presence in Asia and develop new business opportunities in the region for the MICE industry.”
Mr Stefan Rummel, general manager Messe München added that his company was “looking forward to organising event formats that offer synergies with our international event portfolio”.
Mr Yap Chin Siang, deputy chief executive, Singapore Tourism Board, commented: “As Singapore gradually resumes MICE events safely, we will continue to grow existing partnerships and forge new ones. Strong partnerships with our stakeholders will be key to emerging from this crisis stronger and more resilient.”
