Sunrise, Suntec

Most people go to Singapore for one primary reason: To shop (till they drop?). But now more than ever, there’s another reason why a lot of people, Filipinos included, are going to Singapore: To attend a convention or some other big event. Fact is, Singapore has been named Asia’s "Top Convention City" by the Union of International Associations for 20 years in a row now. It has also been voted the "Best Business City in the World" for the third consecutive year. (Readers also voted Singapore Airlines the World’s Best Airline and Singapore Changi Airport the World’s Best Airport.)

A big (literally and figuratively) reason why Singapore is the convention city to beat is Suntec Singapore, a mere 20-minute relaxing ride via a tree-lined highway from Changi International Airpot. Think 100,000 sq.m. of space, 12,000-sq.m. Convention Hall with the largest column-free meeting area in Asia, 10,200-sq.m. exhibition space and 2,150-sq.m. ballroom. What’s more, Suntec has direct access to 5,200 hotel rooms, 300 restaurants, a world-class performing arts center and a comprehensive range of shopping (yes, you can always mix business with pleasure, what with 1,000 – and counting – shops) and entertainment facilities.

When you’re in this city-within-a-city, everything is just a strolling distance away. Certainly you’re kind of city, with everything interconnected and accessible via air-conditioned tunnels and covered walkways. And yes, you can walk the walkways even at night without fear of getting mugged or robbed or both.

"On our radar screen right now, things are picking up and it looks rosy," says Suntec Singapore CEO Warren Buckley in a special report. "We are seeing more local than international business, which is a reflection of developments in our industry ... The business mix is a function of diversification of the market. Suntec Singapore has more local exhibitions now because of market opportunities. We are more diversified and attracting more corporate business and association meetings as well as regional opportunities."

Suntec has been organizing its own shows, too. "We (through Suntec Integrated Media) are developing our own portfolio and these have been successful," notes a beaming Buckley.

There are shows to die for – or dive for, as the Asia Dive Expo which is making waves in Singapore for its 10th show on April 16-18. Then there’s Boat Asia 2004, which sails into Sentosa Cove for the first time on April 15 for a four-day exhibition. The event-packed month will also see Suntec playing host to Designer Living April 3-5, ARTSingapore 2004 April 6-12, Asian Art Week April 9-12 and 1st Discover Southeast Asia Tourism Fair 2004 April 16-18, among others.

Recently, Suntec Integrated Media took a group of journalists from different Asian newspapers, including The Philippine STAR, for a tour of the humongous Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre. We were not warned that it could take us more than a day to go around the Centre, which boasts state-of-the-art facilities. Its floor area is so spacious you’re tempted to roller-skate your way around the Centre. The whole Suntec City is inspired by mandala, the Buddhist symbol of the universe. It is designed to attract and retain harmony and good fortune. Needless to say, we were simply floored!

Always, there are different events happening at the same time at Suntec Centre. There could be a dance festival on one floor, an electronics fair on another, or an ikenobo ikebana show on yet another. You only have to go to Suntec to find out what’s happening (or will happen) in Singapore.

For theater buffs, Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre has a 596-theater that has been the venue of assorted events – from awards ceremonies and plenary sessions to performing arts and jazz recitals.

Indeed, Suntec always rises to the occasion. It’s got something for everyone. For food buffs like us, there’s the Pearl River Palace Cantonese Restaurant on Level 3, where we had a fantastic six- (or was it seven?) course dinner hosted by Suntec Integrated Media. We’re still burping all the yummy food we ate. Then there’s the recently opened Kuali-The Asian Kitchen on Level 1, which offers a variety of palate-tickling local and Asian cuisine at budget-friendly prices.

Good food, good feng shui, good shopping, good time – what more can you ask for? Definitely, the sun shines brightly at Suntec.

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To find out what else Suntec offers under the sun, visit www.suntecsingapore.com.