Site Visit - The versatile Singapore Expo, Singapore
Singapore Skyline
LOCATION
Singapore, Singapore
EVENT Venue
Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre
stand out features
MAPPING
Events, Hospitality, Event Venues, Event Operations,
Welcome to Singapore Expo
Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre is one of Singapore’s largest event venues. It provides a one stop location that can handle almost any event planner request.
Taking time out to visit venues such as Singapore Expo helps update teacher currency by learning about the capability of new event venues and their operations.
Follow me as I take you through some of the highlights of this venue.
Arriving at the Singapore Expo site
There are various entrances to the complex depending on the mode of transport chosen to arrive. Foyer entrance 1 is located between halls 2 and 3and the meeting rooms. I arrived by train located at the rear of the venue. I found a clearly marked entry point that led me to foyer number 2 between halls 6 and 7.
The Singapore Expo boasts a total of 10 large exhibition halls.
While the dimensions vary, each hall offers around 10000 square metres of space to work with.
Image Acknowledgement: Singapore Expo
Singapore Expo is located on the outskirts of the city next to the Changi Business Park, where numerous businesses exist alongside apartments, restaurants and the Changi City Point Shopping Centre. Changi International Airport is just 5 kilometres away, while the city centre is 19 kilometres in the opposite direction.
There are a number of ways to get to Singapore Expo.
Public buses are available and there's ample parking for private vehicles.
I arrived by train. The Expo MRT Station was right next door, this appears to be the most affordable and efficient transport option. A train ticket from the city to the Expo site set me back a very reasonable to $3.
Event Operations
VERSATILITY
Singapore Expo promotes their versatility to cater for all types of events, from board room meetings, gatherings, product launches, to gala dinners, and larger conferences and exhibitions.
Adjacent to Halls 1 and 2 is a dedicated space, Max Atria, which is for smaller events. In total there are 32 meeting rooms spread out over 2 levels. Many of the rooms can be subdivided into smaller rooms. Capacity in these spaces varies from 15 pax up to 1500 pax.
Most importantly; the venue has high powered and reliable WIFI which is essential for events, rooms have been fitted with appropriate lighting and up to date audio visual for sound and presentations.
FOOD AND HOTEL ASIA
I attended the FoReCa exhibition (Food Restaurant Catering).
This was an extremely large exhibition that occupied halls 1 through 6. The floor plan was laid out in grid format where exhibition booths of various sizes and themes created lined corridors in different zones within the facility.
Exhibitors came form around the world to participate in the event.
floor space
The size of the venue is quite deceiving. The main building houses the exhibition halls, as well as a long corridor type space that acts as a through-fare to all the exhibition halls, as well as a small foyer for each hall. It stretches the entire length of the building from hall 1 to 6 and is beset with obstacles such as columns, corners and signage; it also curves with the building, so you can't see the end. It’s quite narrow and it can become very crowded. However; when you walk into a hall; that’s when you have a Dr Who or Tardis moment... the room opens up into a grand vast area and you quickly re-evaluate the scale of Expo Singapore.
Image Acknowledgement: Singapore Expo
At the rear of the building is where all the loading bays are located. As many events require heavy lifting at bump in and bump out, the Expo has 4 sets of large freight doors big enough to accommodate all requirements.
Door measurements:
Width 7.4m
Height 5.9m
Recent and upcoming events
The Big Furniture Fair
Food and Hotel Asia HoReCa
Food & Hotel Asia 2014
The Business Show
Singapore Fintech Festival
International Furniture Fair Singapore 2016
Gastech
Industrial Transformation Asia Pacific
Hotel Accommodation
DUSIT THANI LAGUNA HOTEL
Convenient accommodation for visitors is a must for any event venue wanting to lure event planners to their site.
Two mid range hotels are located adjacent to the Singapore Expo, the Capri by Fraser Hotel and the Park Avenue Hotel.
For a more up market option the 5 - star Dusit Thani Laguna Hotel with adjoining golf course, is a short 3 kilometre taxi ride from the Singapore Expo site.
Stephen's Take
The Singapore expo is a large versatile venue. I find visiting off shore venues, an invaluable experience. Many things are similar to what I would expect at home, however I always discover new innovations and different ways of doing things.
I recommend to any hospitality or event teacher to attend any event, even if it does not align with your vocation! Observing event crew and hospitality staff go about their business is fascinating, watching the processes they follow, observe their customer interactions, see event layouts, technology and innovations.It all comes together as an effective way to keep current in your field.
Stephen
Unit of Competency Mapping
Please note; the purpose of this article is to introduce current hospitality trends. The content broadly applies to the units of competency listed. It is not intended that all content in this article maps directly to all performance evidence and knowledge evidence in the unit of competency.
Article and photos original by Stephen Duncan (unless acknowledged)