To attract more Chinese outbound events, Singapore is proactively leveraging its strong infrastructure, business-friendly environment, and strategic location, coupled with targeted partnerships with event organisers to unlock new avenues.
“Singapore takes a proactive approach by partnering with, as well as offering incentives and grants to, event organisers to identify new opportunities to expand upon existing tradeshows, or launch new tradeshows. We also offer incentives and grants to assist them,” Poh Chi Chuan, executive director, exhibitions and conferences, STB, told TTGmice.
One example was the inaugural Asia-Pacific Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Expo & Summit (AP-TEXPO), held in November 2024 and attended by some 3,000 participants.
“STB supported The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade to capture emerging demand from regional markets here in the textile manufacturing industry. Both parties also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to signal our intent to anchor and grow AP-TEXPO beyond the first edition,” elaborated Poh.
Informa Markets also chose Singapore to launch the Asia Photonics Expo 2024, which welcomed 5,000 attendees and 400 exhibitors. This follows the industry leading China International Optoelectronics Exposition which has been held in China for 26 editions.
Aside from tradeshows, the largest post-pandemic incentive group from China was the Amway China Leadership Seminar 2024, which brought more than 10,000 delegates to Singapore on a 5D4N programme.
In partnership with SACEOS, STB also facilitates visits to China, enabling stakeholders to gain market insights, generate business leads, and raise awareness of Singapore as a destination.
The bureau’s initiatives have yielded significant results, securing two major inaugural events for Singapore’s 2025 business calendar: the 3rd ICMF International Insurance Culture Festival (April 28-30) and ITMA Asia + CITME (October 28-31).
“ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 was expected to be at 60,000m2, attracting over 700 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors. But as of December 2024, the event has surpassed show organisers’ expectations with a 30 per cent increase in the number of applicants. To cater to the overwhelming demand, the event will expand its space to 70,000m2,” shared Poh.
Meanwhile, the 3rd ICMF International Insurance Culture Festival and TMC Awards Ceremony 2025 is a membership-exclusive gathering for elite insurance professionals from Greater China and South-east Asia. This flagship event will welcome 2,500 top-performing insurance agents and financial advisors, serving as a platform for knowledge exchange and high-level networking.
