Meetings are big business: Sector pulled in a record $4b last year

BUSINESS events and conventions reaped $4 billion for Singapore last year - a new high for the sector.

These record takings come on the heels of 2005 - already a 'phenomenal' year by the reckoning of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) - when the sector rang in receipts of $3 billion.

The latest figure paints a rosy future for the sector called Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions - known quaintly as Mice.

It also cements Singapore's ranking by the International Congress and Convention Association as Asia's top convention city for the eighth time.

Despite the acronym, the sector is anything but mousy. With business people coming here for meetings, conferences and exhibitions and the like - last year's International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings were a case in point - the Mice sector plumped up tourist arrivals by nearly three million.

One in three visitors to Singapore was here for Mice; what they spent here made up 35 per cent of all tourism receipts.

These latest figures came last night from Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang, who was the guest of honour at the Singapore Business Events Awards at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia hotel.

The awards, given out by STB for the first time, saw 21 finalists nominated for seven awards across four categories, including event and supplier excellence, industry and individual achievements.

Suntec Singapore emerged triumphant with two wins, clinching accolades as the top business-event venue and for producing the most innovative marketing programme.

Suntec Singapore's chief executive, Mr Warren Buckley, described the award as recognition by an international panel of judges, and one which went 'a long way in enhancing our credibility'.

But STB wants the sector to aim higher: It wants Mice receipts to grow to at least $10.5billion in 2015, while continuing to make up 35 per cent of total tourism receipts.

Mr Buckley said the key to reaching the 2015 target lay in collaboration: 'You can't go out there and sing solo.

' It's important to work closely with the various stakeholders - like the STB.'

Mr Lim said that by recognising the best, the awards will spur growth and raise the bar for service excellence in the industry - which will put Singapore in good stead to clinch and stage more big events.

The industry's major players said they are on track for another good year, helped by events like health supplement giant Herbalife's meetings here last month.

The event at the Singapore Expo drew 16,000 delegates - one of the largest business meetings held here.

STB estimated that they spent over $15 million on items like hotels, dining, transport and retail in the four days they were here.

There is more good news just over the horizon - in October next year, 10,000 foreign delegates are expected here for travel trade show ITB Asia.

The year after, the FDI World Dental Federation, which represents over 900,000 dentists in 130 countries, will hold its annual congress here - and pull in over 13,000 participants.

Mr Lim said: 'Collectively, these events will further elevate Singapore's profile as a premium destination for hosting business events in Asia.'