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SINGAPORE: A “resilience roadmap” for the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) and events industry was announced on Thursday (October 8), offering guidance to businesses affected by the pandemic on implementing the necessary security measures.
He also gave companies advice on how to adopt a new “hybrid model” and how they can develop their workforce in the long term.
The Events Industry Resilience Roadmap (IRR) was developed by the Singapore Convention and Exhibition Organizers and Providers Association (SACEOS), together with government agencies Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Enterprise Singapore (ESG) .
It is the world’s first roadmap for the events and MICE industry, said a press release from SACEOS.
Their goals include helping the industry implement “best-in-class” standards under STB protocols for secure business events, creating agile business models with a focus on hybridization, and developing pathways for professional development in a post-pandemic world.
These will be backed by the SG SafeEvent Standard, an industry-led national accreditation program launching later this year. It hopes to serve as a “sure sign that Singapore is a world leading destination for safe, reliable and innovative business events,” the press release said.
Pilot events are underway to put these standards into practice, according to SACEOS President Aloysius Arlando at the launch of the roadmap.
“These pilot events (for us) will provide data points and valuable information so that events of various scales can be carried out safely and responsibly, and in a timely manner.”
The MICE industry, which contributes about 1 percent of Singapore’s gross domestic product, has been among the sectors hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting strict public health measures and border controls.
More recently, authorities have begun easing restrictions on MICE events, with the STB announcing last month that event organizers can apply for large-scale pilot meetings of up to 250 people starting October 1.
The move, an increase from the previous maximum number of 50 attendees, comes as part of a gradual resumption of economic activities in the country.
READ: STB will begin accepting applications to hold trade events for up to 250 people starting October 1
“The development of the events industry resilience roadmap is a significant step as Singapore resumes MICE events,” said ESG Assistant Executive Director Dilys Boey.
With a full recovery still “a long way off,” the industry understands the need to reinvent itself to survive, Arlando said.
The IRR, he added, will be a “live document” that adapts to the evolving operating environment.
“It will be synchronized with the current national health protocols. It will reflect how you are changing business conduct and a calibrated restart of our industry to the greatest extent possible.
“The IRR will help MICE companies reflect on and rediscover ways to rebuild a successful business and restore the vitality and competitiveness of the MICE industry,” he told attendees at the launch, as well as those who saw it through Zoom.
SECURITY TIPS AND ADOPTION OF HYBRID MODEL
The first edition of the roadmap focuses on providing event organizers, venue operators and vendors with advice on secure event management.
It also serves as a “playbook on the rudiments and economics of a hybrid event,” a new business model that has emerged for industry players amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We understand that hybrid models must make business sense and that the hybrid experience for attendees is compelling,” said Arlando.
With many industry players struggling to formulate cost and revenue structures for hybrid events, as well as managing attendee expectations, TIR looks forward to providing innovative solutions and helping companies set models for how they can monetize virtual and hybrid events. .
“The MICE industry is still trying to figure out what really defines hybrid events, but we are confident that we will succeed,” added the SACEOS president.
READ: Digital venues and virtual booths: How hybrid MICE events can be put to the test
During a panel discussion, the association’s vice president of innovation and digital, Veemal Gungadin, noted that hybrid events are likely to “cost more … up front” due to the need for security measures, as well as new infrastructure and digital equipment.
Initiatives to help companies in this regard will be implemented soon, such as a centralized system of resources to allow economies of scale, he added.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LABOR FORCE
The roadmap will also include capacity building plans for companies and their workers to survive and emerge stronger from the pandemic.
More details on this will be released in the second edition of the TIR, which is currently being worked on.
On October 8, 2020, a memorandum of understanding was signed to establish the “MICE and Events Capacity Building Network”. (Photo: Singapore Convention and Exhibition Organizers and Providers Association)
To begin with, on Thursday SACEOS and the National Congress of Trade Unions (NTUC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish the “MICE and Events Capacity Building Network”.
The tripartite effort, supported by STB, ESG, Workforce Singapore and SkillsFuture Singapore, will facilitate the capacity building of MICE professionals, including freelancers and freelancers.
It will partner with Singaporean educational institutions to develop new and renewed career plans, as well as to create and curate training programs to support the recovery of the industry, according to the press release.
“We look forward to multiplying efforts to enable and support businesses, as well as freelancers and freelancers in the industry, to prepare to ride the wave of new and future trends and move forward with new business plans,” Hassan said. Abdullah, NTUC representative for hospitality and consumption.
Mr. Arlando added: “Through the network, the parties aim to adequately prepare the workforce for the new work model emerging from COVID-19 and raise the skills baseline to meet the demands of the economy. of the future so that workers can aspire to better jobs. “
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