Dr Edward Koh is the new executive director of the Conventions, Meetings & Incentive Travel division of the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB), a group under the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). He provides strategic counsel to attract quality association congresses and corporate-driven events to Singapore, and oversees local industry growth. In his previous roles at STB, he worked with in-market industry partners to drive tourism growth, as well as provided economic analysis, consumer insights and market trends to the tourism sector.
With a vibrant and innovative business and MICE environment, Singapore continues to be regarded as a top MICE destination. As a modern metropolis and business gateway, Singapore offer access to the fast-evolving Asia-Pacific region and beyond. For the 17th year running, Singapore have retained the crown as the top international association meetings city in Asia-Pacific by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Singapore was also recently ranked Top International Meeting Country and Top International Meeting City for 11 years by the Union of International Associations (UIA) Rankings 2019.
It is no coincidence that the number of association secretariats based in Singapore has almost doubled in the past decade. Singapore actively supports associations who are looking to grow their presence globally, and the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) works closely with associations to set up their regional offices and organise international events in Singapore. For example, International Standardisation Organisation (ISO) set up a 5-year pilot regional office in Singapore. STB partnered with EDB to help ISO establish the office, providing market research, office site inspections and connecting ISO with relevant authorities and stakeholders.
The International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS) also announced that they will be anchoring their regional office in Singapore in 2019 and locating their global office in 2021. This joins the many other associations with regional headquarters in Singapore, such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and professional bodies like Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) and the International Trademark Association (INTA).
Collective efforts in maintaining Singapore as one of the world’s safest cities, with a steadfast commitment to digital security, health security, infrastructure and personal safety, have helped provide assurance to associations planning events in Singapore.
To find out more about the support Singapore provide to associations and how the destination turns ideas for growth into reality, visit www.VisitSingapore.com/mice.
