Singapore recognise the importance of MICE

Singapore - The Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) has launched the Singapore Business Events Awards in homage to business events industry players who have contributed to Singapore being a top business travel and MICE destination.

The awards show is expected to be held in early August 2007, becoming an annual event after that. According to the Singapore Tourism Board, business travel and MICE is a key driver of tourism in Singapore with visitor arrivals making up 25% of total visitor arrivals in 2005. Tourism receipts from BITMICE visitors that same year accounted for $3 billion.

"The awards will bring regional and international focus on Singapore's growing MICE industry and this greater awareness will attract more newcomers, both individuals and companies, to join this flourishing industry. Award-winners will also set a benchmark of excellence for companies locally and in the region, inspiring the local industry to raise the bar and to develop more events of excellent standards and contribute to a strong and vibrant eco-system of MICE players that will strengthen Singapore's value proposition as a MICE destination of choice," Aloysius Arlando, assistant chief executive of Business Travel & MICE Group for STB said in a statement.

To qualify for the Singapore Business Events Awards, the event must be held between 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2006, and call for entries opens up 16 April 2006 at sbeawards.com.

The SECB is a group of the STB.