Senior minister of state, ministry of sustainability and the environment, Amy Khor (middle), gracing the event. Photo Credit: Kingsmen Exhibits
Kingsmen Exhibits has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
Circular Unite, and Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and
intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group. The shared goal of the MoU is to
advance environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices within
the MICE industry.
Under the terms of the MoU, the three parties will explore potential
business collaborations focusing on sustainability initiatives within
the MICE industry, aligning with Singapore's Green Plan and the
Singapore MICE Sustainability Roadmap. Kingsmen Exhibits will leverage
Circular Unite's N.A.T.A.L.I.E platform for carbon emission assessment
to reduce waste. Additionally, Kingsmen will encourage exhibitors and
organisers to decarbonise through Alibaba Cloud’s AI-powered carbon
management tool Energy Expert.
Anthony Chong, group MD for exhibitions at Kingsmen Exhibits, said:
"This partnership marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to
sustainability. We believe that, through the integration of Circular
Unite's expertise and Alibaba Cloud's technical capabilities, we can
create a positive impact on the environmental landscape of the MICE
industry."
Emmanual Tay, CEO and co-founder of Circular Unite, said: " The world
is not short of brilliant ideas. What we lack are people who are
willing to turn these ideas into reality. Today, the MoU brings together
such individuals who are passionate about reshaping industry practices
for positive impact. Circular Unite is honoured to contribute our
sustainability solutions to this collaborative effort."
“Alibaba Cloud is committed to leveraging technology for a greener
future. This collaboration showcases the transformative power of
innovative solutions. By integrating Circular Unite's expertise and
Alibaba Cloud's technology, we aim to revolutionise environmental
practices within the MICE sector,” said Raymond Ma, VP of international
business, GM of south APAC region, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.
The Kingsmen way
Said Chong: “Our initial steps involve actively promoting and guiding
our clients toward adopting eco-friendly practices and materials in
their exhibitions and events. Going beyond the conventional principles
of reduce, reuse, and recycle, we emphasise responsible material usage
and disposal.
“A key differentiator is our proactive approach to carbon emissions.
We introduce the option to assess our clients' carbon footprint,
providing a foundation for effective decarbonisation strategies. This
not only allows measurement but also active mitigation of their
environmental impact, showcasing our commitment to innovative and
comprehensive sustainability practices.
“Our collaboration is centered around a robust commitment to
sustainability, specifically focusing on understanding and reducing the
carbon footprint of our clients' events. We aim to seamlessly integrate
the benefits of this partnership into our event planning, making
sustainability an integral part of every aspect.
“As a creator of experiences, we believe sustainability begins with
thoughtful design. In addition to promoting eco-friendly practices,
we'll assess our clients' carbon emissions using our partner's platform,
working closely to create customised designs aimed at gradually
reducing their carbon footprint. To ensure tangible results, we've
integrated a decarbonisation platform into our partnership, empowering
clients to explore offsetting opportunities and providing practical
pathways for a positive environmental impact.”
Outlook for 2024
Kingsmen Exhibits expects 2024 to be a busy year, as the outlook for
the local MICE industry is promising with the resurgence of tourism and
the MICE sector. The anticipated increased activity is also fueled by a
global resurgence in live events and business gatherings. Singapore's
reputation as a premier MICE destination, fortified by top-notch
facilities, commitment to innovation, and stringent safety protocols,
positions Kingsmen as a leader in hosting impactful and secure events,
added Chong.