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Singapore aims for a safe return to events

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With the resumption of economic activities in Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is preparing for the calibrated and safe resumption of B2B events in the coming months. To do so, STB has developed a risk management framework for business events of up to 50 attendees, based on strict safe management measures. STB will trial this framework with two pilot events before gradually scaling up to other events and event organisers (EOs) thereafter.

Under STB’s Safe Business Event Risk Management Framework, EOs must achieve five key outcomes:

1. Infection control measures for every stage of an event attendee’s journey (pre- to post-event)

2. Limits on crowd density

3. Limits on close contacts between individuals

4. Ensuring a safe and clean environment

5. Preparing for emergencies relating to Covid-19

The framework was created in consultation with the industry and is aligned with international best practices. It arises from reflections and lessons learnt over the past few months, when businesses in Singapore’s Mice sector conceptualised and reimagined what a safe event could look like.

Apart from adopting best practices in safety, hygiene and sanitisation, Singapore’s Mice businesses have also experimented with innovative digital solutions such as technology to support the creation of virtual and hybrid business events. One such event was the International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM), which converted its physical trade show and conference into a fully virtual event in June 2020. Featuring a digital conference and exhibition, it has attracted close to 4,000 participants, with over 300 exhibiting brands from over 50 countries, demonstrating how virtual engagements can augment face-to-face events safely and effectively.

To provide further guidance for Mice businesses, STB and Enterprise Singapore (ESG) are collaborating with the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) to formulate an Industry Resilience Roadmap (IRR) – a public-private partnership focused on three strategic objectives: establishing best-in-class standards for new event safety measures, creating agile business models with a focus on digital capabilities, and developing pathways for professional development in the post-Covid-19 world. The IRR will serve as the “roadmap” to guide Singapore’s EOs as they plan for the safe resumption of other B2B events in Singapore and a sustainable recovery.  

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