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Marina Bay Sands has launched a state-of-the-art hybrid event broadcast studio at Sands Expo and Convention Centre in a first for the industry, as the awardwinning venue paves the way to redefine the future of meetings.Designed to accommodate a live studio audience with a maximum capacity of 50 persons at any
one time, the hybrid broadcast studio – which offers broadcast-quality live-streaming capabilities
and hologram functionalities – will act as the central hub for event planners looking to produce
hybrid meetings in the new era.

“Hybrid meetings will help enable the return of large-scale events in a virtual manner amid the
Covid-19 situation and we want to set the stage for these shows by providing planners with a suite
of useful and innovative solutions which are relevant for the times. Our highly advanced hybrid
broadcast studio is not only equipped with industry-grade broadcasting equipment and an
interactive stage set-up, it will also be maintained with the highest sanitisation levels to ensure
the well-being of our clients. Marina Bay Sands will continue enhancing the technical capabilities
of our broadcast studio and drive greater demand and innovation in the hybrid events scene,”
said Paul Town, Senior Vice President of Resort Operations, Marina Bay Sands.

An industry-first hybrid event solution
The studio’s centerpiece is a cutting-edge three-dimensional stage fitted with an immersive
backdrop and floor that can be reconfigured to fit every event’s needs. Replacing the conventional
green screen backdrop are two massive 6 metre by 4 metre right-angled LED walls which can
show high resolution 360-degree visuals, while a plexiglass LED floor can display stunning floor
projections. The three-dimensional stage is designed to provide presenters with a better
perspective of their surroundings, helping them to visualise and deliver their presentations in a
more immersive environment. Stage lighting systems can be customised, designed and operated
to fit an event’s specific needs. In this season of travel restrictions, the studio is also able to beam
someone from a different part of the world ‘live’ into Singapore through a holographic presence.

Marina Bay Sands currently offers three virtual conferencing options – full virtual webcasting and
live streaming events; hybrid events with in-person and online audiences; and hybrid events with
holographic telepresence. Clients can look forward to an enhanced suite of event tech capabilities
incorporating Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Extended Reality (XR) solutions
as Marina Bay Sands continues to reimagine the future of meetings.

“After months of collaboration and in-depth conversations with our in-house and external technical
experts as well as industry peers, we are proud to present a media centre grade hybrid broadcast
studio that is set to be a showstopper for the industry,” said Ong Wee Min, Vice President of
Conventions & Exhibitions, Marina Bay Sands. “This high tech studio goes far beyond the
traditional green screen – using the latest right-angled LED walls and stage, it creates an
immersive experience to bring presentations to life. We want to provide a holistic ecosystem
where we partner clients to co-create and deliver impactful and well-designed hybrid meetings
that will not only spark conversations, but help drive engagements and greater attendance for the
next edition of events.”

Collaboration with PCMA
The world’s largest and most recognised network of business events strategists, PCMA’s
(Professional Convention Management Association) much anticipated annual Convening Leaders
conference is the best industry showcase of a highly effective hybrid event. The annual meeting
gathers business events professionals around the world to drive innovative ideas and gain
insights from industry leaders. Aligning with PCMA’s belief in the transformative power that
business events can bring, Marina Bay Sands soft launched the hybrid broadcast studio late in
July through a collaboration with PCMA. Attendees of the inaugural “PCMA Asia Pacific
Community Conversations” were given a sneak preview during the virtual event’s welcome
address. The integrated resort also recently partnered PCMA and the Singapore Tourism Board
(STB) to launch PCMA’s Digital Event Strategist (DES) accreditation to a select group of
international clients. The virtual kick-off session’s welcome address demonstrated to the virtual
attendees how holographic telepresence could be used in a hybrid event setting by beaming in
one of the presenters onto the set.

Upskilling for the Future
To prepare its MICE talent to embrace the future, Marina Bay Sands is investing in upskilling its
MICE workforce. Over 30 Sales and MICE Team Members will be undergoing PCMA’s Digital
Event Strategist (DES) certification, as part of the integrated resort’s continuous focus on staff
training. The course will arm the team with the requisite skills, knowledge and proficiency to help
clients conceptualise, plan and co-create new hybrid meeting and event designs.

“As the event landscape continues to evolve, event planners will place greater emphasis on
building digital events into their next meeting strategy. Future conversations will revolve around
effective programme augmentation to drive the client’s brand value and online presence. We aim
to future-proof our MICE team to better navigate this ever-evolving landscape, together with our
clients and partners,” said Ong.