Scholarly pursuits at re:imagine #EngagE Singapore MICE Forum

Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre — Singapore

Normally organising conferences (not attending them!), a recent whirlwind trip to Singapore saw our director Tracey Thomas engaging and networking with leading conference managers from the United States and Asia-Pacific region at the Singapore MICE Forum 2017. 

A Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) ‘Scholar’ (there’s a first time for everything!), Tracey was selected alongside colleagues from the New Zealand events and tourism industry to attend the two day ‘conference about conferences’ at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. 

The size and scope of the convention centre is truly awe-inspiring. Spread across 5 levels with 11 ballrooms, it can accommodate 45,000 people at any one time – the largest convention space in Asia!

With the title and theme of re:imagine #EngagE, the Forum’s focus was on learning new and innovative meeting concepts and ideas. The programme was carefully designed to compel delegates to ‘re-imagine’ using different session formats – including some fiery debates with verbal sparring!

A stand-out plenary session was led by a group of university students in events, design and architecture, enlightening delegates as to what our events industry will look like in 50 years’ time. 

A few thought-provoking takeaways —

• Millennials are challenging the traditional association model,  instead moving towards creating ‘communities’ they have a real and meaningful attachment to – engaging with their peers and contributing to their sectors more than ever before! The Social Enterprise World Forum that CI is managing in Christchurch in September is the perfect example of this evolving trend. 

• Any information is accessible on the internet through the click of a button – we’re all experts on everything and anything! So if you’re advertising an ‘expert’ speaker, they had better be an Expert - with a capital E!
• The more technology infiltrates every aspect of our lives, the more important the need to meet and engage on a personal and physical level. 

Tracey brought back these and so many more learnings from the Forum to share with the team. We’re excited to share the latest and greatest developments in conference management from around the world with our clients and suppliers, and put them into action across our conferences and events!

“We need to meet face to face, so we can see eye to eye.”