Don’t dismiss Singapore as a fertile ground for CSR opportunities, say event experts here, as there are plenty of good options beneath the city-state’s sleek veneer. By Paige Lee Pei Qi

There is a growing interest among companies to engage their event participants in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, and although Singapore is as bright and shiny as any developed society could get, there are plenty of options available for interested delegates to help the local community and environment.

DMCs and event organisers said the trick was to know where to look for such opportunities.

World Express managing director, Darren Tan, said: “It is of course more challenging to find blatant poverty in Singapore but in any city in the world, no matter how rich they are, if you dig deeper below the surface you will surely find people in need.”

Tan attributed the greater interest in CSR among his clients to heightened awareness of the importance of giving back to the society.

He said: “The US and European corporate markets probably pioneered this whole (CSR) concept but we can see that this is no longer just limited to Westerners now.”

Visits to children’s homes are some of the community programmes World Express had done for corporate clients.

Janet Tan-Collis, managing director of East West Planners Singapore, said four out of ten companies today would request for CSR to be injected into their incentive or teambuilding programme.

She said: “Corporates are becoming more conscious about their social responsibility and instead of just (giving) donations they want to engage the community directly.”

According to Tan-Collis, one of the more popular activities under its Do For Better programme is the assembling of bicycles to be presented to children at orphanages. Other available programmes include creating batik prints for the community and donation-linked drives.

Teambuilding specialist Asia Ability’s managing director, David Powell, said: “CSR activities create a powerful teambuilding experience and has a feel-good factor.”

According to Powell, CSR activities that are preferred by corporates revolve around helping children. However he admitted that such homes in Singapore already have sufficient support.

He said: “Most organisations and homes in Singapore have a lot of government and community support and require far less when compared to (their peers in) other Asian countries in Asia.”

As such, Asia Ability sees more clients building bicycles and toys from scratch to donate to homes in Singapore instead.

Tan-Collis pointed out that Singapore “does not come first to mind” when companies are purposefully seeking community-based activities due to the country’s image as a prosperous nation.

However, she said CSR need not be restricted to caring for the society, but can also be extended to the environment.

Lee Meng Tat, CEO of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which manages four parks – Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park, River Safari and Night Safari – said there have more requests from corporate groups to participate in educational programmes at the attractions.

Lee said: “Such programmes provide an up-close and more personal encounter with wildlife as well as opportunities to learn about animal behaviour and how to protect the species. Allowing visitors to have close contact with these animals can actually galvanise an individual into caring and doing more for his or her environment.”

Corporate groups desiring a more ‘green’ experience can head to Bollywood Veggies farm in the Kranji countryside, where delegates can partake in teambuilding programmes such as potting, treasure hunts and culinary classes that promise fresh, farm-to-table cuisine.

Farm owner Ivy Singh-Lim told TTGmice: “Farming activities are novel and they allow participants to get out to the countryside and enjoy nature in a true kampong (instead of) a prim and proper garden, and that is quite rare in Singapore.”

According to Singh-Lim, the four-hectare farm welcomes 100,000 visitors a year, half of which is made up of traffic from event groups.

CSR options in the Lion City were recently expanded with the opening of two new green facilities at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) – the SBG Heritage Museum and the City Developments Limited Green Gallery.

Through interactive exhibits, visitors can learn more about the rich history behind the 154-year old garden and Singapore’s greening journey over the last five decades.

Hoteliers are also jumping in to support their guests’ CSR needs. For example, under Shangri-La Hotels and Resort’s Shangri-La’s Care for Nature Project, the beachfront Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa is currently developing a new nature centre, slated to open early this year. Research is now underway to select the types of flora to be planted in the nature centre.

According to Ben Bousnina, general manager of the hotel, the nature centre will play host to nature-related activities for hotel guests.

On the broader scope of things, sustainable practices down the MICE supply chain are being enforced through a new set of guidelines established by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The Sustainability Guidelines, referenced from international standards such as ISO 20121, covers seven industry categories including hotels, venues, planners, transportation, F&B and audiovisual set-up. Areas covered include advice on waste management and the efficient use of water and energy, and initiatives that encourage employees to develop a commitment to sustainable practices.

STB executive director for business tourism development, Chew Tiong Heng, said: “With corporate clients and delegates becoming increasingly concerned about the environment, business event organisers and meeting planners are turning to destinations and venues with strong sustainability policies in place.”

Ideas

One-day marine themed incentive tour

Kick off the incentive progamme with a hearty breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a journey into the ocean on Sentosa island.  First, dive into Resorts World Sentosa’s Marine Life Park, the world’s largest oceanarium with thousands of marine animals. Sign your delegates up for a number of memorable marine activities here, such as the Sea Trek Adventure, Shark Encounter and Open Ocean Dive.

Break for lunch at celebrity restaurant Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora. Located inside the enormous S.E.A. Aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium, diners get to savour both an exquisite meal and a magnificent view of the Open Ocean habitat. The restaurant serves sustainably sourced seafood.

After satisfying their tummies, whisk your delegates off to meet and greet the dolphins in Dolphin Island. Expect some close interaction with these gentle creatures. Options to swim with the dolphins are available too. Spend the rest of the afternoon at Adventure Cove Waterpark.

End the day on a high note with the Songs of the Sea performance which features water jets, flame bursts, lasers and music. Watch this space though, as the popular performance will be given a spectacular update come mid-2014.

Need to know

Trickeye Museum debuts in Singapore

Keep an eye out for a whole new world of optical illusions at the Trickeye Museum which will open at Resorts World Sentosa by mid-2014.

Originating from South Korea, the 800m2 museum will feature six theme zones with 80 three-dimensional paintings and optical illusion masterpieces which will take into account the unique aspects of Singapore, including the city-state’s ecosystem of nature and wildlife. The six theme zones include Love, Circus, Masterpiece, Safari, Fairytale and Adventure.

Visitors can ‘walk’ into these artpieces, strike poses and become part of the story.

Trickeye Museum will be one of the anchor tenants at the integrated resort’s waterfront strip, which will be developed to a “Little Korea” cluster of Korean F&B and fashion retail outlets.

Grease is the word

The multi-million dollar musical Grease will blaze into Singapore’s MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands on April 25, direct from London’s West End.

This popular musical production needs little introduction and promises to rock the stage and the audience with explosive energy, featuring a spectacular international cast, slick dance moves, dazzling costumes and all those unforgettable songs from the hit movie, including Summer Nights, Sandy, Hopelessly Devoted To You, You’re The One That I Want, Greased Lightnin’ and Grease Is The Word.

Grease will end its run in Singapore on May 11. Tickets from S$60 (US$47.40).

Jazz it up

The Singapore International Jazz Festival – slated to be the largest of its kind here – will kick off on February 27 at Marina Bay Sands. Jamie Cullum will headline a gala performance on opening day, and the musical gathering will roll out back-to-back performances by jazz and R&B greats such as Natalie Cole, James Morrison and India Arie over the next three days. Local acts will be in on the action too. Tickets cost from S$78 (US$62) for a one-day general admission for adults. The festival ends on March 2.