Inaugural UIA Associations Round Table Asia comes to Singapore from 23 to 24 October 2013 with an exciting line up of eight quality events featuring thought provoking content, influential speakers and the chance to network with some of the leading names in the travel and tourism industry.
SINGAPORE – Singapore has retained its position as the leading meeting city and country in the world according to the Union of International Associations (UIA) 2012 Global Rankings. Named Top International Meeting Country for the second year running and Top International Meeting City for the sixth consecutive year, Singapore has once again reinforced its value proposition as a choice international meeting destination.
Singapore’s international appeal, strategic location and access to key Asian markets provide a strong impetus for organisers to move or locate their events in Singapore.
In 2012, 952 of the meetings hosted in Singapore – almost ten per cent of UIA’s database – met the stipulated qualifying criteria. This includes meetings which areorganised or sponsored by international organisations or of significant international character. In addition to the 18 World Congresses held in 2012, some events were held for thefirst time in Asia such as the 4th International Congress of Zookeepers 2012, the International Conference on Next Generation Technologies for Bioenergy and Biomass Utilisation 2012, 33rd Annual International Association of Technological University Libraries 2012 and the World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Infertility 2012.
The UIA ranking is the latest in a list of accolades that include being named Asia’s Top Convention City for the 11th consecutive year, by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Having hosted a record of 150 ICCA1 events in 2012, Singapore emerged as the only Asian city in the Top Ten Convention Cities in the world alongside other cities including Vienna, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona and London.
Singapore to host the inaugural UIA Associations Round Table Asia. Amidst the diverse business events held in the city-state, the UIA Associations Round Table will take place in Singapore in October, as part of TravelRave 2013 –an established travel trade festival in Asia in its fourth year that draws attendees from across the travel and tourism industry with a line up of eight quality events.
Started in 1907 and based in Brussels, UIA is an established non-profit, non-governmental organisation and a leading player in the international associations industry. A pioneer in the field of research, the primary roles of the UIA are to maintain and provide comprehensive, up-to-date, and reliable information on international associations, their activities and concerns; and to support and facilitate the work of international associations through training and networking opportunities.
The inaugural UIA Associations Round Table in Singapore will showcase a strong programme curated for the international audience with a focus on the Asian associations perspective. The Round Table will feature established players in the associations industry such as Greta Kotler, Chief Global Development Officer, American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): The Center for Association Leadership and Rob Davidson of the London Centre for Events Management at the University of Greenwich.
Taking place for the first time in Asia, the milestone event is expected to build wider and stronger networks in the association community. Jacques de Mevius, Secretary General of UIA, commented, “The Union of International Associations is happy to be bringing its Associations Round Table to Asia which will take place in cooperation with the Singapore Tourism Board and its partners and with the participation of internationally respected speakers.” He added, “Drawing on its years of experience with its Associations Round Table in Europe, the UIA is looking forward to sharing this opportunity for training and networking with all international associations based in Asian countries or with an interest in Asia.”
Recognising that delegates are increasingly discerning, Singapore’s efforts are focused on attracting and developing high stature events that feature quality content and well-differentiated experiences. Ms Neeta Lachmandas, Assistant Chief Executive Singapore Tourism Board said, “International meetings such as the UIA Associations Round Table Asia serve as dynamic channels that facilitate the transfer of relevant knowledge and expertise to local and Singapore- or Asia-based associations while growing the depth and breadth of content within home-grown event platforms like TravelRave. By leveraging Singapore’s strengths as an international meetings destination in the region, we also aim to add value to partnerships with international industry players like UIA by providing key Asia-focused insights and perspectives.”
In addition, attendees can look forward to thought-provoking discussions and value added insights during a panel session which will feature leading associations leaders such as Professor Rob Norman, President, Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE); Dr Shane Ryan, Vice-President, the Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA) and Executive Board Member, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA); Mr Jack Sim, Founder of the World Toilet Organisation (WTO). Participants can expect insightful discussions on topics ranging from associations management, attracting new membership including those from Generation Y and how associations can deliver value to their members, providing invaluable opportunities for local and regional associations to build their knowledge and competencies in these core areas.
The UIA Associations Round Table in Asia is organised by MP International with the support of the Suntec Joint Marketing Alliance. The event is one of eight travel and tourism related events under TravelRave 2013, Asia’s most influential travel trade festival and a home-grown platform that will gather key influencers and opinion leaders in the travel and tourism industry to lead thought-provoking discussions centred round the business and tourism growth potential of Asia.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
