- Singapore Expo celebrates 25th anniversary with keynote speech by DPM Heng Swee Keat.
- The Expo has hosted over 300 events annually post-pandemic, nearly one event every day.
- DPM Heng talked about a report on Singapore’s economic transformation and future growth.
Singapore’s premier event venue marks a quarter-century of success, showcasing resilience and innovation.
Singapore Expo’s 25-Year Journey
The Singapore Expo celebrated its 25th anniversary on 30 July 2024.
The event featured a keynote speech from Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.
Since opening in 1999, the Expo has been a key venue for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).
The Expo has contributed to many notable milestones in the community.
DPM Heng Swee Keat delivered a speech celebrating the Expo’s 25 years of contributions.
Here are some key highlights to note:
- The Singapore Expo has hosted over 300 events annually post-pandemic.
- This equates to nearly one event every day.
- The Expo served as a transitional care facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Economic Transformation and Future Growth
A report titled “Transforming the Singapore Economy” was launched by DPM Heng last week.
The report focuses on future growth opportunities and economic transformation over the last 8 years.
Singapore aspires to serve as a Global-Asia node of technology, innovation and enterprise.
DPM Heng emphasised, “The MICE sector is a powerful facilitator of such flows and linkages.”
Business and MICE travellers made up 15% of overall foreign visitors to Singapore in 2023.
This is a recovery from 13% in 2019.
Take a look at this quick table for a clear overview:
| Year | Percentage of MICE Travellers |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 13% |
| 2023 | 15% |
Sustainability Efforts at Singapore Expo
The Singapore Expo completed the largest single-site solar rooftop installation in Singapore in 2023.
Over 16,500 panels were installed on the Expo’s roof.
This installation offsets 5,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
DPM Heng stated, “As part of future-ready transformation, we must demonstrate that our events, big or small, generate less emissions and waste and contribute to the circular economy.”
The MICE sector in Singapore aims to establish sustainability as a competitive advantage.
Challenges and Future of MICE Sector
The reliance on large venues for MICE events is under scrutiny due to climate concerns.
This highlights the need for sustainable practices within the sector.
Technological advancements and digital connectivity present challenges to physical events.
There is a debate on whether physical events can remain relevant.
Key Figures at the Anniversary Celebration
Several notable figures attended the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Singapore Expo.
Dr Maliki Osman, a minister involved in the local community, was present.
Desmond Tan, Senior Minister of State, also joined the celebration.
Robin Hu, Chairman of Constellar, the management company of the Singapore Expo, attended.
Chua Wee Phong, Group CEO of Constellar,
Future Directions for Singapore’s MICE Sector
DPM Heng presented suggestions for enhancing the MICE sector’s competitiveness.
These suggestions include embracing sustainability and investing in versatile spaces.
The MICE sector must innovate to maintain Singapore’s status as a premier business event destination.
There is a collective aim to position Singapore as a Global-Asia node of technology, innovation, and enterprise.
This could significantly affect local businesses and employment.
As Singapore Expo marks 25 years, it stands ready to lead the MICE sector into a sustainable, innovative future.
