Welcome reception of Preferred Hotels & Resorts' 2025 Global Conference took place at Lantern (The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore).
When Preferred Hotels & Resorts selected Singapore as the host city for its 2025 Global Conference, the choice reflected both strategic and practical considerations. Welcoming nearly 350 hoteliers from over 30 countries, the three-day event explored the future of hospitality under the theme Innovate.
“Singapore embodies the spirit of innovation. It inspires delegates and spotlights new ideas shaping the future of travel,” said Cindy Taylor, vice president, global meetings & events at Preferred Hotels & Resorts. The city’s leadership in development, technology, and business made it a fitting backdrop.
The business of being there
Staging an international event of this scale required detailed planning – from accommodations to venues and logistics. Delegates stayed at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, both members of Preferred’s Legend Collection. Proximity to meeting spaces ensured a seamless experience and showcased the group’s own capacity for business events.
Preferred Travel Group’s president Michelle Woodley and CEO Lindsey Ueberroth.Holding key sessions at the host hotels helped streamline scheduling and minimised travel time between events. It also showcased the capabilities
of Preferred’s own portfolio in delivering business events. Additional offsite venues were chosen to reflect different aspects of Singapore’s character.
Brains before buffets
The agenda blended professional development Private viewing of the Supertree light show at Gardens by the Bay Welcome reception at Lantern (The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore) with experiential engagement. Executive learning sessions addressed topics such as evolving trends in leisure and luxury travel, MICE transformation, metasearch and digital optimisation, and revenue strategies. There was also a focus on crisis response and building stronger commercial relationships
with travel management companies and corporate buyers.
Preferred executives, external experts, and client panels
led the sessions, fostering cross-market learning. Spotlights on segments like Asia Pacific leisure reflected the growing regional influence, enabling attendees to benchmark strategies and share insights from across diverse markets.
Gala dinner at The Clifford Pier, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore.Cocktails and culture
The programme made space for delegates to engage with the destination beyond meeting rooms. Highlights included a Singapore Sling masterclass at Raffles Courtyard, visits to the Buddha Tooth Relic and Thian Hock Keng temples, and an afternoon of leisure at Marina Bay Sands. These activities doubled as informal networking opportunities and deepened cultural appreciation.
A lion dance during the gala dinner at The Clifford Pier “accompanied by the rhythmic beat of drums and cymbals, not only celebrated Singapore’s multicultural roots but also set a festive tone for the gathering,” said Taylor.
Greener meetings
Aligned with Preferred’s Climate Action Plan, the Singapore conference served as a testbed for greener practices – menus featured plant-based options, digital signage and apps replaced printed materials, and sustainable gifts were selected – supported by host hotels and local partners.
Private viewing of the Supertree light show at Gardens by the Bay.‘A Dazzling Dining Experience at Gardens by the Bay’ offered a moment to reflect on these efforts. Held at Flower Field Hall and followed by a private Supertree light show, the evening included the annual GIFTTS Pineapple Awards. These awards recognise member hotels for contributions in the areas of sustainability, community engagement and philanthropy.
“We want to lead by example and show the travel industry how we can work together to make travel more sustainable for the future,” said Taylor.
Have conference, will travel
The annual rotation of host cities is a core feature of the Preferred Global Conference model. It is designed to reflect the international scope of the group and bring the event closer to different segments of its membership
each year.
“As a global company, one key factor in host country selection is our dedication to meeting our members where they are,” Taylor explained. “It is not just a logistical decision; it is an embodiment of our values.”