Face-to-Face: Pieter Idenburg, Chief Executive Officer, Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre
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1) How is Suntec Singapore’s events schedule looking for 2009?
Having emerged from a remarkable year in 2008, 2009 will continue to be healthy for Suntec Singapore. This year we will host several new and returning (conventions & exhibitions) shows at our venue, with an exciting line-up of events that include the Congress of the International Society for Vascular Behavioral and Cognitive Disorders, Alzheimer’s Disease International Conference, FDI Annual World Dental Congress, Spikes Asia (1st Asian Advertising Festival), International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), and World Congress of the International Confederation of Principals amongst others.
2) Have you noticed any discernable drop in events bookings since the onset of the global economic crisis?
Yes and no. We continue to book events, however we see a handful of our corporate clients taking a more conservative and sensitive approach to their short-term bookings.
3) How happy were you with the success of the inaugural ITB Asia event in October, and what feedback have you received?
Firstly, we would like to congratulate Messe Berlin on the success of their event. We are proud to have them showcase their Asian edition (of the ITB Berlin event) at our venue. We understand the importance of this inaugural event for Messe Berlin and we are heartened that the event exceeded expectations with tremendous coverage across various media. Here at Suntec Singapore, we have received marvellous words of appreciation from organisers to exhibitors and visitors on our capabilities, facilities to the warm hospitality of our people.
4) All major Asian cities battling for a larger share of the international MICE market, what do you feel gives Singapore a competitive advantage?
As a destination Singapore has numerous offerings that include being strategically located at the crossroads of the emerging markets of Asia, a safe city, excellent meeting facilities and accommodation, sophisticated infrastructure, a strong economy coupled with top-notch telecommunications network and superior connectivity served by numerous airlines, a multi-cultural business environment that provides an opportune platform for enterprises to conduct business with ease, a pool of experienced industry professionals (who have revolutionized the MICE industry with innovative products and high professional standards), experience in hosting numerous prestigious international MICE events and being ranked as one of the easiest place in the world to do business. In the international meetings arena, Singapore also continually tops the lists as Asia’s top country and city for meetings by the Union of International Associations (UIA) and ICCA.
5) What developments are we likely to see at Suntec over the coming 12 months?
Suntec Singapore plays an active leadership role in the Joint Marketing Alliance (JMA). This partnership, comprising hotel and travel trade partners aggressively promotes itself as Asia’s Convention City. Everything an event planner wants and needs is available within a 15 minute walk. In this initiative, the expertise of all JMA partners can be funneled through Suntec Singapore, which plays a management role in steering the alliance. Suntec Singapore acts both as a conduit as well as a representative for all partners, thereby, providing a seamless one-stop-shop experience for groups.
Another aspect that will draw increasing attention (in the MICE industry) is the push on CSR and sustainability. We will continue to strengthen our CSR efforts further by taking an active stand towards issues on business ethics and socially responsible management. As an organisation, we will unceasingly continue to implement strategies on raising the bar further for ourselves and our industry, to uphold and maintain our edge to meet the needs of our customers.
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