Singapore is hosting up to 5,000 delegates including David Beckham and Prime Minister Tony Blair for the 117th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session from 2 – 9 July 2005…
Singapore is hosting up to 5,000 delegates including David Beckham and Prime Minister Tony Blair for the 117th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session from 2 – 9 July 2005 . IOC delegates, sports leaders, future Games Organising Committees, officials and supporters from each of the bidding cities, including London, Paris and New York, as well as international media, will come together at the Raffles City Convention Centre to witness the announcement of the host city for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
The announcement will be beamed live via satellite to 1 billion people worldwide, allowing Singapore to showcase itself as a premier business and leisure destination.
“This IOC Session will show the world Singapore`s finesse in effectively managing mega events, and underscores Singapore`s reputation as a premier meeting destination in Asia” says Singapore Tourism Board`s (STB) Aloysius Arlando, Acting Assistant Chief Executive for Business Travel, Meetings, Incentive, Conventions and Exhibitions.
The STB has estimated that the IOC session will give a £13 million (S$40-million) boost to Singapore`s economy. By 2015, the STB aims to double tourist arrivals to 17 million and triple visitor spending to £10 billion (approx. S$30 billion).
In preparation for the arrival of the IOC delegates, the STB has arranged an enriching experience which goes beyond what might usually be expected when attending an international meeting:
Service quality – In line with its efforts to raise service standards in Singapore, the STB has arranged briefings to hospitality staff. Welcome badges and `service at your fingertips` leaflets will be made available to prompt service staff on the consistent delivery of good service.
Destination information – A 24 hour destination information hotline in English, Chinese, French, Spanish and Russian will be available from 2-9 July. A visitor information booth (operation hours: 7.30am to 10.00pm) will be set up at the Raffles City Convention Centre to assist visiting delegates and media during their stay.
Leisure and hospitality – The STB has developed a special brochure for the IOC delegates and accredited media, which contains relevant information on events, where to eat, shop and relax in the vicinity of the Raffles City Convention Centre, and special shopping and dining deals. The STB is also offering themed tours to members of accredited IOC media from 3-8 July.
The 117th IOC Session ranks among the top three in Singapore`s calendar of events this year. The other top conventions in terms of size and/or prestige this year include the 3rd World Congress of Nephrology from 26-30 June 2005, which brings together some 5,000 foreign delegates, as well as the World Economic Forum`s Asia Roundtable held from 28-29 April 2005 which grouped more than 170 foreign government and business leaders in discussions on key strategic issues on Asia`s future growth and integration.
Singapore will next year host its biggest ever event, with 16,000 delegates from more than 180 countries expected to attend the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Board of Governors annual meeting. The event is expected to add at least £15 million (S$44 million) to the economy, the Organising Committee of Singapore 2006 said.
Singapore has built a world class reputation based on its ability to deliver events successfully with the most stringent requirements. It has been voted the Number 1 convention city in Asia for the past 21 consecutive years with Union des Associations Internationals and ranked as the world`s third top convention city by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), a key trade organisation in the international conventions arena. Singapore is the only Asian country to be in the top rankings and this is the second year running that it has received the award.
Located in the midst of the fast-growing Asian market and connected globally through excellent air links to more than 175 cities worldwide, and with Free Trade Agreements linking Singapore to economic giants such as Japan and the United States, Singapore is a strategic business and MICE location. State-of-the-art meeting facilities, world class telecommunications and technology and a wide range of business services make doing business in Singapore convenient and hassle-free.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
