Marina Bay Sands to join pilot MICE tourism programme

Marina Bay Sands has announced its intention to join a MICE events programme run by the Singapore Tourism Board.

Singapore.- Casino and resort company Marina Bay Sands has announced plans to join the government’s new pilot programme for MICE events hosting up to 250 attendees.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced Monday it will start accepting applications from organisers to host MICE events for up to 250 attendees from October 1 2020.

There is already one event scheduled at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre for late October.

The pilot program requires organisers to demonstrate their ability to implement safety measures before gaining approval from the STB and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).

Marina Bay Sands was quick to confirm its intention to join the programme.

Ong Wee Min, vice president of conventions and exhibitions, MICE at Marina Bay Sands, said in a statement: “The MICE industry is currently experiencing an accelerated digital transformation, and traditional event set-ups no longer serve the needs of event planners in this new environment”

“Digitisation, flexibility of venue spaces as well as health and safety protocols will be event planners’ key priorities following the resumption of the industry. Marina Bay Sands is investing in the future and has further expanded our in-house capabilities to meet the demands of the evolving landscape.”

The firm will observe government guidelines on capacity and prevailing safe distancing rules, it said, while banquet table capacity will be reduced and the distance between tables doubled.

All meeting rooms will be equipped with teleconferencing capabilities to reflect the increasing reliance on virtual conferences.