Singapore is the first Asian city to join the BestCities.net alliance, a global alliance of convention bureaux that have come together to develop global best practices through innovation, knowledge exchange, professional development and client servicing in the meetings industry.

The alliance is made up of some of the world’s better-known convention cities – Boston, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Edinburgh, Melbourne and Vancouver. Together with San Juan, Singapore will officially receive membership of the group on 1 January 2005.

In a statement, Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said:

“Singapore is very pleased to be accepted as a member of the BestCities.net global alliance. Through our membership of this prestigious international alliance of top convention cities, Singapore will be able to leverage on the BestCities brandname and market intelligence to bid for more international conventions. International conference organisers and delegates will also get further assurance of the top quality services and excellent business support infrastructure and facilities, in addition to the global connectivity.”

Membership of this alliance is prestigious for Singapore as it is the only South-East Asian city to be admitted. BestCities.net identifies the top convention city in each region that would best add value to the alliance and would be most attractive for existing members to cooperate with.

General Manager of BestCities.net Mrs Lisa Klint said: “The introduction of Singapore to the BestCities.net family would add strength and depth to the service offered by the alliance to meeting planners. Singapore has demonstrated its commitment to deliver the service standards that distinguish BestCities.net partners from other destinations. We’re excited, not only for the alliance, but for our customers in the global meetings industry who can now work seamlessly with nine destinations that provide high quality services.”

As a member of this prestigious international alliance, Singapore will be able to tap on the member cities’ information and marketing networks as well as business leads. Resources will also be pooled to conduct joint studies, which will enable them to have an in-depth understanding of the needs of convention organisers and delegates across the globe.

Such information will bolster members’ ability and chances to bid for international conventions and host these conventions within member cities. The members will also come together to organise sales missions, hosted buyers’ tours and client workshops, jointly advertise in trade journals as well as offer educational and information sessions at various international trade shows.