SACEOS takes lead in greening of Singapore’s MICE sector

SACEOS is taking the lead to show the MICE industry why it pays for businesses to be sustainable and gain a competitive advantage.

The association’s campaign kicked off on September 16 with A Sustainability CEO Breakfast, to be followed by another breakfast on November 10, and a Driving Value & Success through Sustainability – MICE & Hospitality Workshop on November 21.

Forty-two participants from 31 companies attended the first breakfast where the Singapore Tourism Board, Marina Bay Sands (MBS), MCI and Ivan Ferrari, chair of SACEOS Sustainability Subcommittee and senior global event manager of UBM Media (Singapore), made presentations.

The November sustainability workshop, the first to be organised by SACEOS in partnership with MCI, is priced at S$481.50 (US$378.60) for SACEOS members, and S$577.80 for non-members. Those who sign up can enjoy a 60 per cent rebate under the Product Innovative Credit scheme. Visit www.saceos.org.sg for more information.

Ferrari said: “The aim of SACEOS is to raise MICE sustainability awareness, which is still rather low, and to underline the fact that it is not only about protecting the environment. MICE sustainability practices also provide social and governance benefits, and create a magnified lever effect for both the industry and Singapore if most of the players embrace this change.

“There is the misconception that going sustainable is going to add business cost. Just the opposite, it can help businesses save money, retain talent and minimise business risk.”

Roger Simons, group sustainability manager, MCI, noted that 41 per cent of MCI’s clients are now looking at the sustainability performance of their suppliers.

He added that 76 per cent of MCI’s suppliers have seen an increase in client interest, and more clients are looking for Singapore sustainable MICE-certified partners.

MBS, the only venue in Singapore and South-east Asia to be ISO 20121 certified, has realised 21 per cent savings in energy consumption since the start of the ECO360 programme.

Kevin Teng, director sustainability, MBS, said: “Understanding the growing changes in demands for green meetings has helped us to redevelop ECO360 green meetings and we are seeing a steady increase in external clients opting to use ECO360 Green meetings options at their events.”

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