Stunning venues, diverse dining and entertainment, and fun experiences: Singapore’s Sentosa island gives MICE events the blend of business and leisure that delegates seek. (Pictured: Sensoryscape)
What makes a MICE event unforgettable? In today’s event landscape, delegates now crave experiences that seamlessly merge business with leisure. Attendees demand compelling content, seamless technology integration, enhanced networking, and ample opportunities for personal enjoyment. There’s a growing emphasis on crafting unique and memorable moments throughout the event, prompting MICE planners to prioritise elements that elevate the delegate experience to meet evolving expectations.
Picture this: 38-year-old Sandra Wijaya, an investment banker from Indonesia, has arrived in Singapore for a finance conference that will be held in Sentosa. As Sandra journeys around the island, discover how Sentosa ticks all the boxes of business excellence and leisure indulgence, offering a truly unforgettable experience for MICE delegates.
Checking in to wellness
Sentosa is furnished with more than 3,100 guestrooms across 19 hotels, including luxury spaces like the Junior Suite at Oasia Resort Sentosa.Sandra is staying at Oasia Resort Sentosa, a wellness-focused resort at the heart of the island. To give herself time to unwind and prepare for the conference, she’s arrived a day earlier to enjoy the hotel’s renowned wellness amenities, including the award-winning Oasia Spa.
After a body massage and a sunset pilates class, Sandra boards the Sentosa Express monorail line located right outside the hotel. In five minutes, she has arrived at VivoCity, the largest shopping mall on Singapore’s mainland. After an evening perusing the boutiques and sampling local dishes, it’s a quick ride back to Oasia Resort Sentosa.
Ready for conferencing excellence
Planners can get creative with the configurable ballroom and function rooms at Resorts World Convention Centre.The next morning, Sandra boards a shuttle arranged by the conference organisers to Resorts World Convention Centre, where the 2,000-attendee event opens with an impressive 270-degree projection in the large column-free ballroom. With 21 function rooms and multiple foyers, the convention centre offers ample versatile space for concurrent seminars, breakout sessions, and networking over refreshments.
After the day’s official programme, Sandra continues with a networking dinner at 1-Flowerhill, a century-old hilltop estate that has been exquisitely conserved. The venue’s mix of elegant indoor and outdoor spaces allows guests to mingle, and the delegates’ conversations flow as freely as the finely crafted buffet meal. Along with some newfound companions, Sandra decides to join in a party held by the conference organisers at Siloso Beach.
Mesmerising sights, exhilarating nights
As Sandra strolls from 1-Flowerhill to the beach, she can’t help but stop to take photos and videos: the path is filled with enchanting light projections and sounds that seem to come alive with every step. She’s at Sentosa Sensoryscape, an experiential attraction that visitors can explore on foot.
Delegates can explore the immersive and interactive gardens in Sensoryscape in their free time.The nightly ImagiNite augmented reality experience transforms with each garden, from the trickling waters at Symphony Streams to the colourful giant flower stalks of the Glow Garden. It’s the perfect leisure walk and photo opportunity for groups.
Beyond being an immersive state-of-the-art attraction, Sensoryscape acts as a vital connector linking RWS in the northern end of the island to the beaches in the south. This allows visitors and MICE delegates like Sandra to seamlessly explore the island on foot, eliminating the need for vehicular transfers and reducing carbon footprint.
MICE groups eligible for the Singapore MICE Advantage Programme (SMAP) can receive a free welcome drink at Tipsy Unicorn.Sandra’s walk takes her to Siloso Beach and the party at Tipsy Unicorn. The beach club is popular for its jam-packed calendar of gigs by world-renowned DJs and artists; qualifying MICE groups can enjoy a complimentary welcome drink here as well as redeem other complimentary experiences from Sentosa partners, thanks to the Singapore MICE Advantage Programme (SMAP).
There’s plenty to do at night on Sentosa: more adventurous groups will relish the thrill of an electrifying night race at the Skyline Luge or HyperDrive, Singapore’s only indoor electric go-kart circuit.
Sentosa: Where Discovery Never Ends
With so many opportunities to mingle and forge connections throughout her visit, Sandra decides to further explore Sentosa with her fellow delegates after the end of the conference. On a guided nature walk along Imbiah Trail and a ride on the fully-electric beach trams, she learns about the island’s biodiversity and reforestation initiatives.
From family-friendly attractions to nature walks, Sentosa’s experiences cater to all manner of groups.Sentosa is a mere 30-minute drive from the airport, so Sandra simply books a taxi upon checking out of her hotel. Impressed by her conference experience, she looks forward to attending more MICE events on Sentosa.
For planners, organising a successful event on Sentosa is just as seamless and enjoyable. The Sentosa MICE Team is on hand to help coordinate your plans with various partners and find sustainable event solutions. Better yet, take meetings and conferences to the next level with end-to-end bespoke services, including branding, transport, and security across the island.
Ready to plan your next event? Learn more about MICE on Sentosa or contact the Sentosa MICE team today.
This article is brought to you by Sentosa.