The latest ICCA Global Rankings have positioned Singapore as the Top Convention City in Asia for the ninth time, and the Third Top Convention City in the World for the second consecutive year.

“Singapore’s position attests to its appeal as a premium business travel and meetings, incentive travel, convention and exhibition destination,” claimed the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

The accolade is clearly down to a number of factors, from newly created events such as the recent BioMedical Asia and upcoming Singapore International Water Week (the result of a special strategy launched by the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau), to the successful re-booking of a number of existing events.

Light fantastic: The Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre


For example, the International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM) 2008 was held from 4-6 April at Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre, and the event will be anchored for another three years in Singapore for 2010, 2012 and 2014.

IDEM 2010 is expected to draw about 5,500 international dentistry experts and professionals to Singapore for a trade fair, conference and gala events. “We have chosen Singapore because of its advantages in providing a central meeting location in Asia-Pacific – a growing market in the dental industry,” said Michael Dreyer, managing director of Koelnmesse, which organises the event.

The popularity of the destination is revealed by the fact that a new event, the international travel show ITB Asia, has reported 180 exhibitor bookings, yet does not take place until October.