Keeping sustainability and legacy at the heart of Singapore’s largest-ever medical convention

When the World Congress of Dermatology 2023 took place in July with more than 12,000 participants, it was the largest medical conference to date in Singapore.

Hosted by the Dermatological Society of Singapore under the auspices of the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS), a main priority of the 25^th World Congress of Dermatology (WCD) was to prioritise and enhance its sustainability practices.

With its comprehensive Singapore Green Plan 2030 addressing vital areas such as climate action and the green economy, Singapore has embraced sustainability as a core principle. For the events industry, The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has launched the MICE Sustainability Roadmap while the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) has produced a guiding framework for organising sustainable events.

WCD2023, which took place from 3-8 July, shines as a stellar example of a sustainable MICE event held in Singapore. Often referred to as the ‘Olympics of Dermatology’, WCD2023 was Singapore’s largest-ever medical convention, attracting more than 12,000 delegates and exhibitors from 150 countries/regions.

Setting a sustainable example in event planning

Hosting an event in Singapore would enable WCD to seamlessly align and integrate its green event policies, said Lim Yen Loo, Secretary General of WCD2023. Beyond sustainability, Singapore's world-class infrastructure, state-of-the-art venues, excellent connectivity, diverse attractions and welcoming environment offer event planners a remarkable platform to create inspiring and impactful events.

Maria Criscuolo, Chairwoman & Founder of Triumph Group International, the appointed PCO, highlighted the influence of the Green Policy's comprehensive guidelines for all stakeholders. Only hotels with a green policy and within walking distance of the conference venue were selected as partners, and WCD established an agreement with Singapore Airlines to provide carbon offsetting programmes.

Delegates were actively encouraged to contribute to sustainability efforts during the congress with the introduction of ‘25 Green Nudges’, a set of actionable steps that attendees could take to minimise their environmental impact. Delegates were encouraged to embrace digital platforms, such as the Congress mobile application, to reduce paper wastage, bring their own bottles to refill water at dispensers and opt for walking or public transportation.

In collaboration with Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, one of the congress venues, the organisers took great care to craft a sustainable menu for delegates that embraced eco-friendly packaging. To minimise food wastage, leftover food and beverage items were repurposed to generate renewable energy or donated to local charities.

Eco-friendly allies unite for sustainability

The running of WCD2023 was rooted in its commitment to green principles including the choice of Gardens by the Bay for the event’s social evening.

Gardens by the Bay is an outstanding model of sustainable design and operations. Adrian Kong, Senior Assistant Director (Events Venue Sales) at Gardens by the Bay, highlights that the majority of the 18 Supertrees are equipped with solar panels, illuminating their captivating light displays at night. Additionally, a biomass boiler converts horticultural waste into fuel, ensuring the domes provide visitors with comfortable temperatures.

“We are a living example of a City in Nature concept that allows delegates to enjoy not just the venue’s facilities, but also the beauty of the gardens itself,” says Kong.

The WCD Social Evening, held at Flower Field Hall within Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome, was specially curated to minimise environmental impact while offering delegates a memorable event. Food stalls were set up around the space, showcasing an array of dishes served with eco-friendly cutlery.

After the dinner, delegates were invited to venture into the outdoor setting of Gardens by the Bay. The Supertree Grove, an iconic feature of the Gardens, served as the backdrop for a mesmerising light show complete with solar-powered drones that mapped out the story of WCD and the impact the congress has had on the world.

“The solar-powered drone show at Gardens by the Bay was a sustainable choice,” says Criscuolo. “The entire show required nothing for setup, using only music and the colours of the trees to tell a powerful story that lingers.”

Lasting impact beyond the event

But sustainability doesn’t end with the conclusion of an event. To ensure a positive impact and meaningful outcomes beyond the event itself, WCD2023 supported Singapore’s OneMillionTrees movement – an initiative that aims to plant a million trees nationwide over the next decade, in line with the Singapore Green Plan 2030’s City in Nature vision. WCD2023 initiated a fundraising campaign with the Garden City Fund to offset the event's environmental impact and leave a positive legacy.