Singapore Retains Position as Asia’s Top Convention City

Singapore has retained its position as Asia's Top Convention City for close to a decade, according to the latest Global Rankings by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

Singapore also maintained its fifth spot in the Top Five Convention Cities alongside Vienna, Barcelona, Paris and Berlin.

Other countries from the Asia Pacific / Australasia region that are included under the 2010 Top 20 Convention Cities in the world are:  Sydney at 10 (jumping from 27), Taipei at 11 (jumping from 25), Beijing at 12, Seoul at 16 and Hong Kong at 20.

Bangkok dropped out of the top 20, with the political unrest a likely cause for the drop.

Elsewhere, London ranked 14th, while Madrid jumped from 13 to 6 and Istanbul jumped from 17 to 7th.

ICCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Martin Sirk congratulated Singapore on hosting the most rotating association meetings amongst all Asia Pacific destinations in 2010.

“Singapore has been proactively targeting this sector as part of a clear strategy for many years, and was probably the first destination in the world to so closely align this meetings strategy with the economic development goals of the country,” he said.

Given that the ICCA Global Rankings focuses on meetings that rotate regularly between at least three countries, this accolade serves to intensify Singapore’s appeal as a destination for not only new but also returning events.

According to this qualifying criterion, 136 rotating events were held in Singapore in 2010, representing more than 14% growth over the events that qualified in 2009. Notable events that contributed to these numbers include the 20th Annual Conference of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, World Conference on Continuing Engineering Education 2010, International Conference of the International Bartenders Association 2010, 77th World Congress of the UFI - The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, World Congress of Biomechanics 2010, World Congress of Bioethics 2010, RoboCup 2010 and the World Green Building Council International Congress 2010.

According to Mr. Martin Sirk, “it’s no great surprise to me to see this continued success, since this is a sector where long-term vision and consistency are required. But it still takes great marketing effort in what are becoming ever-more competitive regional and global marketplaces, and the continued investment in great new facilities and human capital, so I applaud the hard work and creativity of all our Singaporean members.”

“The ICCA Global Rankings have always been a well regarded industry indicator and this continued win underscores Singapore’s strong track record as the business destination of choice. Our success is in no small part due to our sound business fundamentals, ease of doing business and the relentless commitment of our MICE industry partners,” said Ms. Melissa Ow, Assistant Chief Executive, Industry Development (II) Group, Singapore Tourism Board (STB). “What’s more, our constant re-invention and ever-changing skyline make for compelling reasons to return to Singapore and experience the richness we have to offer both as a business and leisure destination. Looking ahead, the future is replete with many exciting developments such as the lush new Gardens by the Bay, the International Cruise Terminal and the world’s first River Safari.”

In 2010, Singapore attracted 3.1 million business travellers, which accounted for 27% of all visitors to Singapore, spending about $5.4 billion Singapore dollars. This signifies growths where it matters most - 19.2% and 28.6% respectively over 2009.

Singapore’s Business Travel, and Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry looks set for greater heights as evidenced by more event wins. Within the first half of 2011 alone, there were 12 new World Congresses secured to add to Singapore’s line up of events from 2012 to 2016 – in comparison, 14 were secured within the whole of 2010.

Spanning across a vast array of industries such as lifestyle, business and trade, social, infrastructure, and healthcare, these new association meeting wins include the 52nd ACI World Congress in 2013, the World Federation of Engineering Organisations Congress 2013, the 36th World Diamond Congress in 2014 and the International Congress of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy 2015.

Also playing a part in our success is STB’s Conference Ambassador Programme (CAP). Launched in 2006, the CAP identifies, rewards and galvanizes non-professional conference organisers who are experts and  influential opinion leaders in Singapore’s key economic sectors.

These “ambassadors” represent Singapore in bidding for international business events and have facilitated in securing countless events such as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Meeting 2011, ASEAN Congress of Cardiology (ACC) 2012 and 22nd World Congress for Sexual Health 2015.

 Ms. Ow, said, “Singapore is committed to fostering partnerships in the industry and will continue to leverage opportunities presented in this dynamic Asian climate to constantly create even more reasons for organisers to stage their events here. We encourage both local and international players to work together and hold their events in Singapore.” 

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