Singapore EXPO just celebrated its 25th anniversary on 30 July, marking a remarkable quarter century of hosting some of Singapore's most significant moments - ranging from concerts by world-famous artists to high profile MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) functions.

And through it all, the venue's has consistently been a captivating and transformative "blank canvas" for some of the most influential events to have ever graced our nation. We talked to Constellar's Vice President of Sales, Mr. Ng Sim Lim, to discuss the past, present and future of Singapore EXPO.

Looking back, what has been the venue’s impact on the events ecosystem in Singapore?

Singapore EXPO has played a pivotal role in supporting the growth of Singapore's exhibitions industry over the past 25 years, hosting numerous leading global events. Our venue has undergone significant expansions, doubling in size from the original 60,000 to 123,000sqm of indoor and outdoor spaces, including 10 halls and 32 versatile meeting rooms. This growth has enabled us to continue attracting influential events and providing a platform for Singaporean enterprises to showcase their innovation and excellence.

Throughout the years, Singapore EXPO has consistently pushed boundaries to help organisers bring their events to life. We offer a versatile venue that can be transformed to suit events of any proportions or types, which gives us a unique opportunity to bring together global communities and host world-class summits, festivals and exhibitions. Our commitment to sustainability also promises a green venue advantage, aligning with the needs of event organisers today. 

Today, Singapore EXPO hosts over 300 events annually, featuring prominent business events like CeMAT Asia, Food & Hotel Asia, Gastech, and the Singapore FinTech Festival. Next year, we will host ITMA Asia + CITME, the world’s leading textile technology and machinery exhibition.

One of the venue’s more recent additions is Arena @ EXPO. How was the space at Hall 7 conceived and conceptualised?

There was a demand for mid-sized concert venues, seating 3,000 to 6,000 attendees. And before Arena @ EXPO was opened, there were few event spaces that could meet this need here. This plugs a gap in the market for concert promoters looking for a suitable space to bring in emerging artists with a growing regional fan base. 

Arena @ EXPO is configured as a “plug-and-play” as we hope to help concert promoters run their concerts as easily and seamlessly as possible. This includes a basic tech setup that provides a convenient solution while it is also ready to be upscaled for larger productions. The space is also highly customisable, and seats can be removed to create standing pens.

Built from the ground-up in Hall 7, it offers:

• State-of-the-art AV and lighting systems
• A customisable 64x40 feet grand stage for creative setups
• A new LED wall for enhanced visuals 
• Flexible stage configurations (e.g., T-shaped for better audience interaction)
• Upgraded backstage facilities, including a spacious artiste changing room and holding area, constructed Flex, an in-house modular break room solution made up of a collection of smart, sustainable and acoustically treated building block spaces
• Versatile seating configurations for up to 6,700 people, with potential for future expansion

Our goal was to create a versatile concert arena that meets the needs of both local and international artists, providing an exceptional experience for performers and audiences alike.

In terms of technology and equipment, what does Arena @ EXPO offer?

Arena @ EXPO features a sophisticated AV system, powerful acoustics and immersive lighting rigs – all of which can be customised. Singapore EXPO also traditionally offers a basic tech rider to clients, providing a convenient plug-and-play solution. 

For larger productions requiring more extensive setups, Singapore EXPO works with our partner, Showtec Communications, to ensure the equipment provided is top-notch – promoters can leverage Showtec Communications’ expertise and extensive inventory. Additionally, promoters have the flexibility to bring in extra equipment, subject to a standard levy.

To what extent is Arena @ EXPO scalable or customisable to the unique needs of different concerts and events?

Arena @ EXPO is designed to be highly versatile, flexible, and scalable to meet the unique needs of various concerts and events. Our seating arrangements can be adjusted to accommodate full seating or partial standing configurations, whilst our modular infrastructure and furnishings allow for customisation to suit diverse music genres or specific requirements like fan meet-and-greets. 

The venue offers dedicated areas for pre-show preparation, talent holding, spacious backstage facilities, onsite catering for guests, and a scalable large concert area – all of which can be tailored to meet the needs of concert organisers. We've also recently enhanced our Back of House amenities to maintain high hospitality standards for the artistes performing at our venue, providing a seamless experience for all stakeholders, including concertgoers.

What else makes Arena @ EXPO such an appealing option as a concert space?

Guests can enjoy the immersive concert experience brought to life by Arena @ EXPO’s top-notch acoustics and lighting design, as previously mentioned. Moreover, depending on the event organiser’s F&B requirements, concert attendees can look forward to indulging in delicious food and beverages within the hall – whether delivered via themed food trucks or dedicated dining zones.

We also offer promoters access to a panel of experienced partners, comprising leading ticketing agents, security firms and usher services companies. This allows them to select and engage their preferred providers for the essential services they require. 

Promoters also able to tap on EXPO’s event support partners?

Concert promoters can leverage Singapore EXPO's event support partners through our EXPO Advantage Program, which features collaborations with multiple industry partners. This includes access to event support services, travel and hospitality needs, among others. For example, our partnership with major local media houses like Mediacorp and SPH, offers exclusive rates for advertising packages to help amplify their events. Promoters can also tap into accommodation options with nearby and downtown hotels like Dusit Thani Laguna, Park Avenue Changi, Mandarin Oriental, both Conrad properties in Singapore, and more.

Tell us more about Singapore EXPO’s other halls. What attributes make Halls 2 - 6 an attractive choice for promoters?

Singapore EXPO offers “Halls Without Walls” –10 pillar-free halls for a seamless event experience. These spaces are purpose-built, which means they are intentionally versatile and scalable. They can be transformed to suit different event sizes and types – from conferences to exhibitions and conventions, to concerts and festivals. For instance, to accommodate a larger crowd, Norwegian DJ and music producer Alan Walker’s Asia Tour in June spanned across two halls at Singapore EXPO.

What has been your personal favourite concert held at Singapore EXPO, and why?

We soft-launched our refurbished concert hall with Melanie Martinez's Portals World Tour concert, brought by Live Nation. As we re-entered the live music scene, we were honoured to gain the trust of a leading global promoter. This experience allowed us to collaborate to fine-tune our operations, tackle initial teething challenges, and deliver a seamless experience. Personally, I was blown away by Melanie's mesmerising performance, showcasing her amazing vocals and theatrics. It was truly an unforgettable experience, even for a first-time listener like myself. It was also rewarding to see a large number of regional fans flock to our venue, aligning with our goal of driving local tourism through Arena @ EXPO.

Melanie Martinez talks transformative PORTALS tour, being in character, and music recommendations

Looking forward, are there any concerts planned at Singapore EXPO that our readers should get excited about?

In the coming months, readers can look forward to concerts by American singer and songwriter Madison Beer (happening on 22 August), Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter Laufey (happening on 4 September), K-pop boy group HIGHLIGHT (happening on 8 September) and more. They join the roster of top-tier talent that have performed at Singapore EXPO this year, including American singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez, Kyuhyun from K-pop band Super Junior, Japanese rock band Radwimps and Norwegian DJ Alan Walker. By the end of 2024, we would have hosted around 20 concerts in our first year as a new arena.