MICE events shelved due to virus outbreak fears
Singapore
TRAVEL restrictions and other concerns stemming from the coronavirus outbreak are dealing a blow to Singapore's meetings, incentive travel, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) scene, as some organisers on Tuesday announced cancellations or postponements of upcoming events.
The National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (Natas) postponed its annual travel fair to May 1 to 3, after exhibitors expressed concerns that turnout could be low if the event went ahead on Feb 21 to 23. It will still be held at the Singapore Expo.
Experia Events confirmed a Reuters report that the Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit (SAALS) scheduled for Feb 9 and 10 will not take place this year.
In a statement, Experia Events said cancelling the summit "will allow many of the aviation leaders who are deeply involved in working out the responses to the novel coronavirus outbreak to focus on exigencies related to the ongoing situation".
Experia Events, which is also the organiser of the biennial Singapore Airshow, said the event will proceed as planned from Feb 11 to 16. The last edition in 2018 was attended by 54,000 visitors from 147 counties and regions.
However, three more exhibitors have confirmed their withdrawal from the event, bringing the total to 15, Experia Events added.
They are CAE and Bombardier from Canada and Stemme from Germany.
The other 12 exhibitors who have withdrawn are Ampaire, Acevision, Ameco Beijing, Beijing Implant Science & Technology, China Aviation Industrial Base, China National Aero-Technology Import & Export, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), Shandong Stopart Brake Materials, United Enterprise Group, Zhuhai Airshow Company, Gulfstream and Textron Aviation.
MICE event organiser Sphere Exhibits, a subsidiary of The Business Times' (BT) publisher Singapore Press Holdings, said it has lost a handful of exhibitors from China for its three upcoming events in February and March, and some local exhibitors are considering pulling out too.
The events include building and construction trade show BuildTech Asia from March 11 to 13, and the popular IT Show from March 12 to 15.
Shirley Chan, business director at Sphere Exhibits, said the company is still giving the situation some time and has not made a decision yet.
"We are in talks with stakeholders and partners about what to do if we have to postpone events, and how to compromise in terms of penalties, if any, and new dates, if available," said Ms Chan.
Convention centre venues were tight-lipped on whether they see their events being affected.
"Aside from Natas which has formally announced its postponement to May 2020, Singapore Expo & MAX Atria is not in the position to disclose the decisions made by other event organisers as contractual details are confidential," said Alvin Lim, executive director of brand and customer experience at SingEx Holdings, which manages the Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre and its convention wing MAX Atria.
"However, with the additional measures activated by the Ministry of Health to limit the potential risk that new travellers from mainland China have on Singapore, we do expect for some of the events held at Singapore Expo & MAX Atria to be postponed or cancelled, especially those with high participation from the Chinese."
Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre does not have any specific updates on its events, but will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with its customers to address their queries and requirements, said chief executive Arun Madhok.
Resorts World Sentosa said it has reassured clients of its "intensified" precautionary measures and efforts to ensure the health and safety of all guests, and offered assistance to ensure their events take place smoothly.
Marina Bay Sands, in response to BT queries, said it was unable to comment.
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