media release outstanding singapore experiences honoured
TRANSCRIPT
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 1/17
EMBARGOED UNTIL 9 PM , MONDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2009
Media are kindly remin ded award recipients in all categories - except those receiving
Outstanding Contribution awards - do not know they have w on. If approaching them
before they receive their awar d, please frame your questions as if they are finalists,
not aw ard recipients.
Outstanding Individuals and Organistions Honoured at
Inaugural Singapore Experience Awards Ceremony
Award recipients raise the bar for the tourism industry by making
each customer experience exceptional
Singapore, 9 Novem ber 2009 – The inaugural Singapore Experience Awards presentation
ceremony held tonight at Capella Singapore honoured the best individuals and organisations with
the most outstanding and integrated Singapore experiences in Singapore’s tourism industry. The
2009 Singapore Experience Awards celebrated recipients in the hospitality, retail, dining,
entertainment, attractions, and business travel and MICE sectors who had delivered the highest
level of excellence in product and service delivery.
Ms Aw Kah Peng, Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, which organised the Awards,
congratulated the recipients for successfully creating winning Singapore Experiences and
inspiring the industry to likewise create memorable and enjoyable experiences.
“In an industry that demands excellence from businesses and service providers, our award
recipients have not only risen to the challenge, but also upped the ante with their customer-
centric approach and continued commitment to enhancing their product and service quality. This
is why they are being rewarded for being the top of their league, be they established industry
players or new entrants,” she said.
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 2/17
2009 Singapore Experience Awards recipients
The night’s top honours belonged to the Outstanding Contribution category, where three
individuals won awards for their exceptional roles in shaping Singapore’s tourism
landscape.
• Madam Kay Kuok, Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
• Professor Edison T. Liu, Business Event Ambassador
• Mr Desmond Lim, Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year
Special Recognition also went to the 2008 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND
PRIX with the Breakthrough Contribution to Tourism award for its significant impact on
branding Singapore as a must visit destination to a global audience. The award is a
tribute to all parties involved in successfully staging the world’s first night race and
Asia’s first street race, and its accompanying festivities, and whose efforts resulted in a
spectacular showcase of innovation, entertainment and hospitality.
In its inaugural year, the Singapore Experience Awards received more than 24,000
unique nominations. Of these, 251 were self-submissions for the Events; Experience;
and Marketing and Media categories. The Customer Service category, which was the
only one by public nomination, received 24,163 nominations. An independent panel of
judges decided on the award recipients. Please refer to Annex A for the full list of
award recipients.
The high number of public nominations received in the Customer Service category is a
clear indication that service matters to the public. Said Ms Aw: “With consumers getting
more discerning, it is increasingly challenging for service providers in the frontline to
meet their expectations. Against this backdrop, the high number of public nominations
received is a heartening gesture of recognition for our service staff. Service is a two-waystreet and this show of appreciation from the public for good service goes a long way
towards inculcating a culture of service excellence in Singapore.”
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 3/17
Ms Aw encouraged the public to continue showing their appreciation for good service,
and commended the award recipients in the Customer Service category for their success
in exceeding their customers’ expectations.
Please refer to Annex A for the full list of award recipients and Annex B for citations
for Outstanding Contribution and Special Recognition award categories.
###
About the Singapore Experience Aw ards
Aiming to be the most prestigious awards platform in Singapore’s tourism industry,
Singapore Experience Award recipients - individuals and organisations from sectors
encompassing hospitality, retail, dining, entertainment, attractions, business travel and
MICE, education and healthcare - are judged to have shown they are the best in
delivering a holistic visitor experience – one that packages product and service delivery
to create a distinctive and compelling experience. For more information, visit
www.singaporeexperience.com .
About the Singapore Tourism Board
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is a leading economic development agency in
tourism, one of Singapore’s key service sectors. Known for partnership, innovation andexcellence, the Board champions tourism and builds it into a key economic driver for
Singapore. STB aims to differentiate and market Singapore as a must-visit destination
offering enriching experiences through the “Uniquely Singapore” brand. For more
information, please visit www.stb.gov.sg.
For more inform ation, please contact:
Pauline WEE (Ms)
Manager
Corporate Communications Department
Communications Division
Singapore Tourism Board
Tel: +65 6831 3795
Email: [email protected]
Or the STB Media Hotline at +65 9011 2071
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 4/17
Annex A
2009 SIN GAPORE EXPERIENCE AWARDS AWAR D RECIPIENTS*
Outstanding Contribution
Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribut ion to Tourism
This award honours an individual whose contributions have had a significant impact on the development of tourism in Singapore. Vision, dedication and commitment to the future of tourism are the qualities which will distinguish the recipient in earning the respect of all in the industry and Singaporeans in general
Madam Kay Kuok, President, Singapore Hotel Association
Business Event Ambassador
This award honours an individual from a trade or professional association (outside the MICE industry) whose contribution has had a significant impact on the development of the business events industry in Singapore. This award is open to any individual who is from a trade or professional association (outside the MICE industry) and has contributed to the growth of the business events industry in Singapore in 2008
Professor Edison T. Liu, Executive Director of the Genome Institute of Singapore
and President of the Human Genome Organisation
Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year
This award honours outstanding individuals who have applied their business acumen,creativity and innovative talents to assist in the growth and development of the tourism industry in Singapore. Entrepreneurial and leadership skills are among the qualities that will distinguish the recipient, who has also been responsible for growth in the financial or operating performance of the organisation concerned
Mr Desmond Lim, Chairman, Les Amis Group
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 5/17
Special Recognition
The Special Recognition Award category recognises the efforts of exceptional individuals and/or organisations in developing and growing Singapore's tourism sector through
providing products / services that made a significant impact on the Singapore tourism
scene. Apart from economic benefits such as visitor arrivals and tourism receipts, these products / services also bring added value through creating greater awareness of Singapore as a destination and shaping a positive image of Singapore as a must-visit destination. By creating distinctive, exceptional and quality Singapore experiences for everyone, recipients of the Special Recognition award are true Singapore Experience ambassadors whose innovation, excellence and passion have raised the bar for the industry
Breakthrou gh Contribution to Tourism
2008 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
Events
Association Conference of th e Year
This award recognises association conferences, and the organiser(s), that has demonstrated excellence in organising and delivering a quality event in terms of project management, growth and sustainability of the event, contribution to the industry growth and service excellence. This award is open to any association conference organised for association members held in Singapore that generated at least 400 foreign visitor nights
SIGGRAPH Asia 2008, Koelnmesse Pte Ltd “This reward is a great honour to ACM SIGGRAPH, the conference committee, ourvolunteers and our event organiser Koelnmesse. It not only recognises the quality of SIGGRAPH Asia 2008, but also affirms the relevance and significance of interactivedigital media in Singapore and the world today. It will spur us to do even better nexttime." – Lee Yong Tsui, Conference Chair, SIGGRAPH Asia 2008
Exhibition of the Year
This award recognises a trade exhibition, and the organiser(s), that has demonstrated excellence in organising and delivering a quality event in terms of project management,growth and sustainability of the event, contribution to the industry growth and service excellence. This award is open to any trade exhibition held in Singapore that generated at least 1,000 visitor nights
Asia Television Forum, Reed Exhibitions, Singapore
“The award is timely as ATF celebrates its 10 th anniversary edition this year. The awardis a recognition of our efforts and passion, and for our contribution towards Singapore’sexhibition industry. It is heartening to note that ATF has been growing from strength tostrength into a key international event. We have built a strong partnership with the localindustry over the years, and we are glad to play a role in fostering the growth of
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 6/17
Singapore’s media business. We are also grateful to the Media Development Authorityand the Singapore Tourism Board for their support.” - Reed Exhibitions, Singapore
Leisure Event of the Year
This award is open to organisers of leisure events which created substantial economic
impact within Singapore, attracted visitors (from Singapore and overseas), generated media profile and positively promoted Singapore as the premier destination. They may be one-off or recurring events
Singapore Sun Festival 2008, IMG Artists
“The award is a great symbol of recognition of the passion and dedication our companyhas committed over the last three years to make the Singapore Sun Festival a leadingleisure event for Singapore and the region. We believe that the unique mix of art formswith lifestyle elements in our festival has given the Singapore Sun Festival a depth andbreadth of programme that audiences have really enjoyed. The diversity of theprogramme as well as the range of both high-end ticketed events and more casual free
events has meant that the Singapore Sun Festival has provided a high quality, worldclass festival that is accessible to anyone who wants to enjoy “the art of living well”. –Mindy Coppin, Senior Vice President & Director, IMG Artists (Asia Pacific)
Meeting of the Year
This award recognises a corporate meeting and the organiser(s) that have demonstrated excellence in organising and delivering a meeting in terms of innovation and creativity,budget management, and service excellence. This award is open to any corporate meetings held in Singapore which generated a minimum of 150 foreign visitor nights
Merrill Lynch Rising Stars Conference, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Trade Conference of the Year
This award recognises a trade conference, and the organiser(s), that has demonstrated excellence in organising and delivering a quality event in terms of project management,growth and sustainability of the event, contribution to the industry growth and service excellence. This award is open to any trade conference organised for trade participants that generated at least 400 foreign visitor nights
Singapore Maritime Week 2008, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Experience
Best Business Event Service Experience
This award recognises a service provider that has demonstrated excellence in their delivery, service, pro-activeness and dedication to continual staff upgrading and training
programmes. This award is open to any business events service partner,accommodation, logistics, audio/visual support, booth design and construction,marketing communications, etc. Entry for this award is by nomination only
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 7/17
Pico Art International Pte Ltd, for Official Opening of Fusionopolis
“I would like to thank A*STAR for the nomination and the opportunity to work with themon FusionFest. And kudos to the PICO project team who managed to overcome all oddsto ensure the success of this high-profile event.” – Jean Chia, Managing Director, Pico
Art International Pte Ltd
Best Business Event Venue Experience
This award recognises a business event venue that has demonstrated unique venue appeal, facilities and versatility in settings as well as excellence in service, elevating the standard of world-class MICE facilities in Singapore. This award is open to any venue that has hosted a business event in Singapore
Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre
Best Dining Experience
This award is open to all establishments which offer an exceptionally memorable and differentiated dining experience, attract diners (from Singapore and overseas) and
positively promote Singapore as the premier lifestyle destination. It recognises the contribution to tourism through the provision of food and beverage and the experience for the diner (this is not a food award). Entry is open to all F&B outlets in hotels,restaurants, cafes and other eateries
The White Rabbit
“This award has come as a surprise to us, seeing as we are relatively new in Singapore'sF&B scene but we are very honoured to receive this accolade. We would like to thank the entire team at The Lo & Behold Group for their hard work and dedication, withoutwhich this would not have been possible. Winning this award will encourage us tocontinue refining our product and to showcase what Singapore has to offer to touristsfrom all over the world.” – Cheryl Ho, spokesperson for The Lo & Behold Group
Best Hotel Experience
This award is open to all hotels and focuses on the experience hotels deliver to their
guests through the delivery of services, and their facilities The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
“Now more than ever, guest engagement through anticipating and fulfilling theirexpressed and unexpressed needs is critical to our business. We empower our ladiesand gentlemen to take every initiative in making our guests’ stay in our hotel and inSingapore an exceptional one and create Ritz-Carlton guests for life.” – Peter Mainguy,General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 8/17
Best Nightspot Experience
This award is open to all nightspot venues which provide their customers with memorable experiences. They must be able to attract visitors (from Singapore and overseas) and positively promote Singapore as the premier lifestyle destination
Zouk Club"I’m truly honoured to receive this prestigious award. It is a great acknowledgement toall my Zouk staff’s hard work and dedication. It stands testament to how Zouk is a mustvisit destination in Singapore and ranked one of the top clubs in the world. It is anexperience that encompasses everything I envisioned." – Lincoln Cheng, ExecutiveChairman and Chief Executive Officer
Best Shopping Experience
This award is open to all retail outlets/malls/department stores which create and deliver an exceptionally memorable and differentiated shopping experience. They must be able
to attract visitors (from Singapore and overseas) and positively promote Singapore as the premier lifestyle destination
Museum Shop by Banyan Tree
“We are thrilled by this esteemed industry recognition. Since the first MSBT outletopened six years ago, we have continued to innovate in product offerings, working withlocal artisans in product design. MSBT also helped to increase museum visitorship, andenhance knowledge of Singapore’s history and culture, including that of the region, all of which has value-added to the shopping experience for everyone.” – Claire Chiang,Managing Director, Banyan Tree Gallery
Best Travel Experience
This award is open to all travel agencies (Singapore-based and overseas) which develop and market travel experience plans that attract visitors from overseas to Singapore and
positively promote Singapore as a unique destination for leisure, business, etc. The effort put in by the establishments (partnership of both local and overseas establishments) must clearly deliver memorable experiences to all visitors
Betel Box The Real Singapore Tours
“I'm excited and gratified that a panel of my peers shares in my belief that thecommunity and our way of life can be a source of inspiration for creating a meaningfuland enriching tourism experience. I hope that with suitable promotion, support andguidance, heartland communities like Joo Chiat and Katong can continue to berevitalised while traditional businesses, trades and crafts can have a more sustainablefuture.” – Tony Tan, Director, Betel Box Asia Pte Ltd
Best Visitor Attraction Experience
This award is open to visitor attractions which deliver a memorable visitor experience,attract visitors (from Singapore and overseas) and positively promote Singapore as the
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 9/17
premier visitor destination
Night Safari
“The Night Safari is elated to be the recipient of the Best Visitor Attraction Experience Award 2009! This is a momentous night for us as this milestone positions the park as
the industry’s best in providing an unsurpassed leisure experience to visitors. This awardwould not have been possible without the commitment and dedication of the team.” –Fanny Lai, Group CEO, Wildlife Reserves Singapore
Marketing And Media
Best Singapore Experience Story – Broadcast
This award is open to foreign writers of original broadcast stories which focus primarily on Singapore and showcase Singapore as a unique tourism (Leisure / BTMICE /
Education / Healthcare) destination delivering memorable visitor experiences
“9am with David & Kim – Singapore” by Network Ten, Australia
Best Singapore Experience Story – Print
This award is open to foreign writers of original print stories which focus primarily on Singapore and showcase Singapore as a unique tourism (Leisure / BTMICE / Education / Healthcare) destination delivering memorable visitor experiences
“Singapore Surprise” by Rashmi Uday Singh, SPICE, India
Most Inn ovative Marketing Initiative (Business Events)
This award recognises marketing initiatives which have demonstrated ingenuity,technical quality, considered planning and effective execution in creating an integrated and brand marketing campaign specific to a business event or to the operations of any event-related company in Singapore. This award is open to any business event organiser/company which has created a unique and innovative marketing campaign through the use of TV, radio, print, direct mail, and/or other new media such as Internet, weblogs, EDM, mobile phone technology, etc
“Passionate About Everything We Do” by Suntec Singapore International
Convention & Exhibition Centre
Service
These are the best front-line staff and individuals who display outstanding service, professionalism, initiative, responsiveness and knowledge of products and services
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 10/17
Customer Service – Food & B everage
Gerald Lu, Restaurant Madame Butterfly
“After all the laborious hours and criticisms over the past six years as a young eyedhospitality student and service provider, winning this award is like a huge pat on theback and affirmation that passion will eventually be recognised and rewarded.Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to motivate and encourage all hospitalitystudents and young service providers to grit their teeth, persevere and keep the passionalive. Appreciation will eventually come, and when it does, it is an immense satisfactionclose to the heart that nothing can ever buy.”
Customer Service - Hotel
Salinah Lamsa, Royal Plaza on Scotts
“I would like to celebrate this success with the staff in the organisation who have madethis possible. The award will further motivate us and keep our passion for serviceburning.”
Customer Service - Nightspot
Siti Maimunah Binte Razalie, St James Holdings Ltd
Customer Service - Retail
Daniel Hu Tian Shou, Citigems Pte Ltd
“A big thank you to STB for presenting me with this prestigious award. I would also liketo thank my company for believing in me. I dedicate and share this victory with myteam members at Citigems Bugis Junction for the overall team effort and also to mycompany. It is with the training provided by my company and its constant upgrading of its staff that has led to this triumphant moment. This is not the end, but thecontinuation of my journey in the continuation of giving excellent service tocustomers.”
Customer Service – Tour Guiding
Mary Lim Bee Lay, Tour East Singapore Pte Ltd
“I was very surprised because I believe there is a lot more that I need to learn so as tobuild on my tour guiding experience. I would like to thank my mentors and teachers fortheir invaluable guidance, and my colleagues for their support. The honour and joy of this award belongs to all of us! All the best!”
Customer Service – Transport (Taxi)
Eric Yeong Cho Ser, SMRT Taxis Pte Ltd
“Thank you for selecting me for this award. I would especially like to thank mycustomers, the public who nominated me and SMRT Taxis for grooming me. Singaporehas many good taxi drivers who go all out for their customers. I hope more members of
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 11/17
the public will nominate drivers to recognise their efforts. Nominations and awards reallykeep me motivated to do better and to keep driving.”
Customer Service – Visitor Attraction
Chen Weiting, Sentosa Luge Company Pte Ltd
“The thought of getting an award never came across my mind for I always thought thatit is never easy to get one in reality. To emerge as one of the top five finalists alreadymade me feel like a winner. The award was really...a bonus.”
* All listings are in alphabetical order
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 12/17
Annex B
CITATIONS: OUTSTANDI NG CONTRIB UTION & SPECIAL R ECOGNITION
A. Outstanding Cont ribution
1. Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribu tion to Tourism
Kay Kuok
President, Singapore Hotel Association
Madam Kay Kuok’s contribution to Singapore’s tourism industry has been nothing short
of extraordinary. This lady of many hats has, at various points in her career, assumed
numerous roles including Executive Chairman of Shangri-la Hotel Singapore Ltd,
President of the Singapore Hotel Association, Chairman of the National Healthcare Group,
Board Member of the Singapore Tourism Board, Member of the Tourism Consultative
Council and Charter Member of the National Arts Council. She is a human dynamo who
has selflessly and continually championed the tourism industry as a whole, and in its
numerous sectors.
Madam Kuok’s famous last name identifies her as a member of the eminent Kuok familyof the Shangri-La Group. Having joined the family’s landmark Singapore hotel since
1986, Madam Kuok has helped oversee the growth of Shangri-La Hotel into one of the
most prestigious and best-regarded landmark hotels in Singapore, a favourite of both
leisure and business guests, as well as top visiting diplomats.
Beyond personal business interests, Madam Kuok has contributed to the tourism
industry’s development in various leadership roles. As a past member of STB’s Tourism
Consultative council and Board of Directors, Madam Kuok helped chart the tourism
industry’s course, steering it towards higher levels. Particularly notable was Madam
Kuok’s leadership during the SARS period in 2003, when she co-chaired the COOL team,
a joint taskforce comprising government and private representatives. She played a key
role in pushing for the implementation of the COOL Singapore Awards, Step Out!
Singapore and Singapore Roars! - initiatives which minimised the impact of SARS on
businesses and helped the tourism industry recover quickly.
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 13/17
Madam Kuok has been President of the Singapore Hotel Association for four years. In
this capacity, Madam Kuok has managed critical issues facing the sector, including
manpower availability, the balance of demand and supply, as well as safety and security.
As Chairman of the National Healthcare Group, Madam Kuok works to ensure the public
healthcare cluster delivers quality, cost-effective, affordable and integrated care to
people in Singapore. A visible and positive result of Singapore’s effective healthcare
system is the rise of the medical tourism sector of the industry.
In addition to her work within the tourism industry, Madam Kuok is a devoted
philanthropist. Shangri-La Singapore supports numerous worthy causes, and Madam
Kuok sits on the Board of the Viva Foundation, which targets to improve the care and
cure of children with cancer. She has also long been a patron of the arts, serving as a
Charter Member of National Arts Council in the early 1990s.
With her continuing leadership and dedication to tourism in Singapore, Madam Kuok is
truly an inspiration for people in the tourism industry and Singapore. For her wide-
ranging and significant contributions, STB is honoured to present to Madam Kay Kuok
the inaugural award for Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism.
2. Tourism Entrepreneur of t he Year
Desmond Lim
Chairman, Les Amis Group
Sixteen years ago, when stockbroker Desmond Lim entered into partnership to create
Singapore’s first authentic French fine-dining restaurant, he could not have conceived
the significance to which the Les Amis Group’s array of eateries would grow.
As Chairman of the Les Amis Group, Mr Lim has been imperative to the evolution of
Singapore’s dining landscape. The Group has grown from strength to strength, and now
comprises a stable of 15 restaurants spanning various culinary concepts.
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 14/17
Chief amongst these is the Group’s eponymous establishment. In the Singapore psyche,
Les Amis is synonymous with an impeccable and luxurious dining experience. Les Amis ’
appeal extends internationally, ranking 60 th on the 2009 San Pellegrino World’s Best
Restaurants list. In addition, the restaurant is a rarity for being one of only three within
Asia to be accorded Wine Spectator’s Wine Award.
The success of the Group’s other 14 restaurants is also a credit to Mr Lim. Restaurant
Au Jardin is beloved for its haute French cuisine experience amidst the horticultural
retreat of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The Canteen is renowned for its
contemporary spin on traditional Singaporean classics. Torisho Taka stands out among
Japanese eateries as the country’s sole fine-dining yakitori establishment. Canele
Patisserie-Chocolatier , recognised for its exquisite creations, is mentioned in the same
breath as French pastry brands Pierre Herme and Laduree . Restaurant FiftyThree , with
its minimalist modern splendour, is Singapore’s best-regarded Molecular Gastronomy
restaurant. The addition of such varied, thriving establishments has gone a long way to
cement Singapore’s reputation as a gastronomer’s haven.
It is evident Mr Lim has invested in human capital and has cultivated his own staff so
effectively that some are now culinary luminaries in their own right and have gone on to
establish successful restaurants in Singapore and the region.
Mr Lim’s vision and willingness to experiment with new concepts has added diversity to
Singapore’s dining scene. For his invaluable contributions to evolving Singapore into a
Food Paradise, the Singapore Tourism Board is extremely pleased to present Mr
Desmond Lim the award for Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year.
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 15/17
3. Business Event Ambassador
Profes sor Edison T. Liu
Executive Director of the Genome I nstitute of Singapore, and
President of the Human Genom e Organisation
In 2001, Professor Liu assumed the position of Executive Director in the Genome Institute of
Singapore, which is a key programme of the Biomedical Sciences Initiative of Singapore. Since
then, Prof. Liu has made significant contributions to the biomedical research landscape not only
of Singapore but also of the region. The Genome Institute of Singapore is now considered one
of the most innovative genomics centres in the world, and has in turn raised the scientific
portfolio of genomic biology in Asia.
Prof. Liu was also recently elected as President of the Human Genome Organisation (HUGO).
To this end, he has moved the HUGO office to Singapore to help in this consolidation. Together
with his team at HUGO, he has been developing the HUGO-Asia Pacific Pan Asian SNP Initiative
which seeks to map the genetic diversity of 81 Asian ethnic populations across 11 countries.
Prof. Liu has contributed over 260 articles, reviews, books, and book chapters to the scientific
literature in the fields of molecular oncology, molecular epidemiology, biomarkers, and
genomics.
Prof. Liu has also brought many prominent and popular scientific business events to Singapore.
Beginning with the HUGO Asia Pacific Meeting in 2004 with 800 delegates in attendance, other
significant events such as the American Association of Cancer Research Meeting 2007, which
attracted 1,200 delegates, followed. He was instrumental in attracting the Keystone Conference
Group to do its first conference outside North America on Cancer and Stem Cells in 2006, as
well as focused meetings such as the HUGO-Nature Publishing Group conference on Genomes
and Infectious Diseases in 2009. Future events to look forward to include the International
Association for Breast Cancer Research Meeting 2010, and the International Congress of
Genetics in 2013.
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 16/17
Prof. Liu is a true ambassador of Singapore. A Singapore Permanent Resident, he is proud of
his adopted home, always highlighting Singapore as a vibrant visitor destination as well as an
excellent place to work and to do the business of science. The Singapore Tourism Board is very
pleased to award Professor Edison T Liu the Business Event Ambassador award.
B. Special Recognition
Breakthrou gh Contribution to Tourism
2008 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRI X
Last year, the 2008 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX presented Singapore to the
world in a new light. Set in the heart of the city, the world’s only FORMULA ONE night race
provided some 100,000 spectators and 110 million live viewers worldwide thrilling, high-speed
action through the Marina Bay Street Circuit set against the backdrop of the city’s sparkling
skyline and iconic and historical monuments.
Many parties contributed to staging the most spectacular sporting event in Singapore’s history,
and arguably FORUMULA ONE history. Government agencies worked alongside private
organisations and volunteers to coordinate race preparations and lifestyle events
complementing the race to create a memorable experience for visitors and residents.
As a result, not only did the race showcase Singapore as a city that was able to successfully
stage a mega event of this stature, scale and complexity, it also raised Singapore’s profile as a
vibrant and exciting lifestyle and entertainment capital. The live telecast of the event and the
extensive media coverage received further entrenched Singapore’s image as a must-see
destination.
The race generated business opportunities for our industry partners and businesses, who
benefited from providing accommodation, transport, entertainment, hospitality, dining and retail
options to locals and visitors. Also benefiting from the buzz were organisations based in
Singapore which seized the opportunity to host their clients and business partners.
8/14/2019 Media Release Outstanding Singapore Experiences Honoured
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/media-release-outstanding-singapore-experiences-honoured 17/17
The overall experience received the thumbs-up from visitors, residents, media and FORMULA
ONE fans across the globe. Formula One Management President Bernie Ecclestone dubbed
Singapore the “jewel in the F1 crown”.
STB would like to honour everyone involved in making the world’s first and only FORMULA ONE
night race – the 2008 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX – a resounding success
with the inaugural award for Breakthrough Contribution to Tourism.