I WAS in Singapore recently to attend the Second Asia Business Meet (ABM) and the opening of the Eighth Singapore MICE Forum (SMF) as a hosted buyer in my capacity as secretary general of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (Adfiap).
As an association executive, I get invited to many meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) events around the world. All these fora and trade shows have their own unique format and content to draw in attendees. While I do not attend each and every event, I took keen interest in attending the second edition of the ABM because: (a) it has at least four elements in the program content and structure that I thought was worth exploring; and (b) it was held in Singapore where the current destination rebranding called “Passion Made Possible” was intriguingly attractive.
The ABM is jointly organized by the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (Saceos) and Northstar Travel Group. It focuses on fostering long-term relationships among major MICE players, including prequalified buyers from North America, Europe and Asia, and leading Asia-Pacific-based suppliers. Held from July 23 to 26, this year’s edition saw a strong response from 54 quality buyers connecting in prearranged one-to-one meetings and through non-stop networking with 36 top-notch suppliers.
Saceos President Janet Tan-Collis summed it up: “We want ABM to be an event that highlights the best of Asia. One of the best things about doing MICE business is to be able to experience the destination, and we hope buyers will be able to enjoy and experience what Asia has to offer.”
The four content and format elements of ABM that resonated with me are: (1) a familiarization tour of “nontraditional” MICE venues—a historic theater, a national gallery, two museums and a big aquarium place; (2) the scheduled one-on-one business appointments with diverse suppliers—event planners, meeting venues (both land- and sea-based), hotels and technology firms; (3) constant networking within a small intimate group with similar passions and interests; and (4) an opportunity to learn new things and be inspired by speakers at the simultaneous MICE international conference.
I also experienced firsthand Singapore’s “Passion Made Possible” jointly launched on August 24, 2017, by the Singapore Tourism Board and the Economic Development Board, replacing the previous “Your Singapore” campaign. Through this rebrand, Singapore hopes to showcase the country’s entrepreneurial and innovative strengths to the world. I was indeed pleasantly surprised with what I saw, heard and felt.
I am fortunate and pleased to have attended this event, which proved special to me. My passion has been and will be to share whatever knowledge and experience I have in my 27 years (and counting) of building and managing associations with the members of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), the “association of associations” that I help formed in November 2013. Almost five years hence, this passion has “infected” association leaders and professionals in the country, now numbering 270. With this achievement, I am proud to say that my passion was indeed made possible.
The column contributor, Octavio “Bobby” Peralta, is concurrently the secretary-general of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (Adfiap) and CEO and founder of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE). PCAAE is holding its Sixth Associations Summit on November 23 and 24, 2018, at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.
The event is hosted by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and supported by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).
PCAAE enjoys the support of Adfiap, TPB and the Philippine International Convention Center. E-mail obp@adfiap.org