Workshop Events embraced oriental inspiration to produce three social events for a Singapore based conference attended by over 500 guests from Australia in April 2011.

Workshop Events was commissioned to produce the welcome reception, family evening and gala dinner for a financial conference held in Singapore in April. Over 3000 delegates traveled from Australia with their partners and children for the three day ‘Explore, Expand and Evolve’ themed conference.

Working with the conference theme and overlaying oriental inspiration, the team sourced local suppliers and materials to design the events and style the venues to produce three separate unforgettable experiences that embraced the dynamic destination and entertained every age group.

The Sydney-based event management team embarked on a fact finding mission to source the most appropriate venues and suppliers that met the logistic requirements of the events and complimented the conference themes.

Facing the challenge of distance, the team employed a combination of local knowledge through a DMC, recommendations as well as visiting Singapore to complete site visits and build relationships with suppliers.

Performers dressed in traditional attire entertained guests at Raffles Hotel.

The events were held at Singapore famous Raffles Resort,  Singapore Zoo and the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre’s ballroom partnered with the incredible KuDeTa situated atop the hotel.

Opening with the welcome reception at the world renowned Raffles Hotel, Workshop Events produced an evening evocative of British Colonial Singapore as the backdrop for the ‘Explore’ component of the conference. Traditionally a sit-down affair, to suit the space and experience of Raffles, the event was designed as an indoor/outdoor cocktail reception thus encouraging guests to experience the theme and enjoy local culture and entertainment.

Colonial soldiers led guests through the busy streets of Singapore to Raffles Hotel, where they were served Singapore Slings. In the Bar and Billiard Room a pianist dressed in tails and an all female pipe band performing ‘Tipperary’ echoed colonial times. Meanwhile, outside in the Palm Garden, guests discovered the treats of colonial traders including an impressive Indian tea pouring display and the delightful ‘ting ting’ of Chinese sugar candy being chipped and shared. Children and adults alike were mesmerised by the Indian snake charmer, listened to the truths of a fortune telling parrot and tried their hand in Malay weaving and Chinese fan painting.

A family evening at Singapore Zoo set the scene for the second social event, themed ‘Evolve’. An endless buffet menu featured delicacies from India, Malaysia and China and complimented with ‘Tiger’ beer. A feast of entertainment was also provided with fire breathing drummers, a Chinese mask changing performer and a very agile shaolin monk. Three elephants were even invited to the party for a feed (bananas of course). But a visit to Singapore Zoo is not complete without a Night Safari and so a tram ride around the Zoo to discover the many wondrous animals completed the night.

Fire breatheing drummers at Singapore Zoo mesmerised all ages. 

The final event, a Gala Dinner celebrating the client’s 25th anniversary, was held at the recently opened Marina Bay Sands Complex. Themed ‘Expand’, this event showcased Singapore as the modern hub of Asia. The space was styled to include a stage featuring the bright city lights of Singapore and a modern chandelier of thousands of Singapore orchids. Soul Mystique enthralled the audience with their quick changing, slick performance.

After dinner, black and white dressed clowns on stilts presented guests with balloons and invited them to ‘parade’ with balloon in hand to the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Creating great excitement and intrigue, guests moved from one venue to the next in a river of pink and white balloons. At their final destination, KuDeTa, the balloons were released into the room and guests were met with breathtaking views of the Singapore city skyline. Dessert and cheese were served whilst guests enjoyed signature cocktails and contemporary tunes of a hip band. The club atmosphere of KuDeTa and the views from the rooftop of the 58 storey hotel provided the ultimate lasting memory.

Guests were treated to a special suprise at Marina Bay Sands Complex.

While the spectacular event was certainly not without its challenges, the end result was certainly something the organisers were proud of.

“At times, communicating with Singapore via email and phone was extremely frustrating with long delays in response times, constantly changing quotes and unclear messaging, on the ground however everything came together extremely well and all our local suppliers went to great lengths to get it right.” said Richard Breatnach, managing director for Workshop Events.