“Inventing the future” will be the theme of the rescheduled IBTM Asia Pacific, which will now take place April 13-15, 2021 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.

The premier edition of the show, which is the latest addition to the IBTM portfolio, was slated to run April 6-8, 2020. Its debut was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our industry is renowned for its tenacity and adaptability, especially under pressure and now more than ever ‘inventing the future’ feels a very apt theme as we work together to recover, reimagine and rebuild,” said Michael Jones, event manager, IBTM Asia Pacific. “We are working on a range of exciting initiatives in the run up to the event, including a regionally focused future trends report which will be unveiled in the coming weeks. Together with the team at Singapore Tourism Board and our venue partners, we are looking forward to delivering a Covid-safe event with the highest quality business opportunities for exhibiting partners and a comprehensive incentive and familiarization program for our hosted buyers.”

IBTM Asia Pacific will bring together a high calibre group of international and regional meeting planners and exhibitors for two days of pre-scheduled one-to-one business meetings, education and networking. Already 50 percent of exhibit space has been sold.

“IBTM is a valued partner of ours, and their upcoming Asia Pacific show in 2021 will no doubt be a key highlight in Singapore’s business events calendar,” said Dr. Edward Koh, executive director, Conventions, Meetings & Incentive Travel, Singapore Tourism Board (STB). “During this period when business events worldwide have gone on pause, STB has been working resolutely with relevant government agencies in Singapore, as well as local and international MICE stakeholders, to come up with a set of robust safe management measures and guidelines to ensure that resumption of business events will be safely and carefully managed.”

Koh explains that one of the stamps of assurance Singapore has is the SG Clean certification. A mark of excellence for tourism businesses including hotels and meeting venues, SG Clean-certified businesses have adhered to high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and infection control.

“Our priority is to ensure that Singapore can re-open safely and sustainably for visitors to return again,” he said. “We look forward to extending a warm welcome to IBTM Asia Pacific, as well as all attendees and exhibitors to Singapore in 2021.”