A STUDY OF THE EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE INDUSTRY IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

The exhibition and conference industry in Singapore is robust and buoyant, with great potential waiting to be tapped by firms. In the business and the government. The principal benefits conferred by the Industry are In the form of direct spinoff revenues and employment opportunities generated from the organisation of events, and the invisible earnings from tourist expenditures of overseas visitors, exhibitors and delegates. Annual turnover from these two sources of revenues is enormous.

One issue of concern and interest is the training needs of the industry, where specialist courses are as yet not widely made available to executives and personnel employed in the business. The fragmentation of the industry and the perceived limited role of the government is yet another cause for concern, as they affect the international competitiveness of Singapore as a world-class exhibition and conference venue.

In view of the above. this study alms to examine the exhibition and conference industry by focusing on the following areas: 1. evaluation of economic spinoffs; 2. analysis of trends and factors determining the growth of the industry; 3. training and upgrading; and 4. regional as well as International competitiveness.

An understanding of these areas may prove to be beneficial to policy makers and firms alike, in order that present inadequacies may be improved upon and new opportunities explored.