Hosted by CNA’s Steven Chia, our first “Reimagine Experiences” forum featured industry leaders from different sectors and disciplines across four distinct episodes.
STEVEN CHIA
SHOW HOST
Steven Chia currently hosts Talking Point on CNA, a programme that tackles Singapore’s hottest and most current topics. Each week, the show dives into issues that are of concern to Singaporeans, presenting these matters in a fresh and innovative manner.
Over the years, Steven has interviewed numerous personalities – from politicians to influencers, athletes and even celebrities such as Sir Ian McKellen, Kevin Spacey, Lady Gaga, Josh Groban and Maggie Q, just to name a few.
EPISODE 1:
UNDERSTANDING THE NEW TRAVELLER
JESSICA TANG
SENIOR CONSULTANT, WGSN
A data-driven trend forecaster and strategist with experience in luxury, retail, travel, fashion and consumer technology across APAC, Jess is a senior consultant with WGSN, the world’s largest future trends and consumer insights subscription platform that helps companies to navigate change by curating consumer and product design information.
TIAGO TEIXEIRA CORREIA
DIRECTOR OF NEW BUSINESS & VENTURES, WARNER MUSIC GROUP
An innovation strategy professional with more than 10 years of experience in the media, entertainment and technology space, Tiago joined Warner Music Group in 2018 with the Global Business Development Team to look into emerging technologies, innovations and start-ups that could better connect artists and fans. Prior to this, he worked for several blue-chip companies developing board-level strategy projects with FTSE 100 and S&P 500 firms.
JASON LOE
FOUNDER, TRIBE
Jason is an entrepreneur and the creative force behind Tribe, a tour company that specialises in privately guided tours curated by locals. Under his leadership, Tribe was awarded the Outstanding Tour Experience for the Disappearing Trades Tour at the Singapore Tourism Awards in 2017, and more recently for the Chinatown Murders Tour in 2021.
KRYSTAL TAN
FOUNDER, BLUE SKY ESCAPES
Krystal is a lawyer-turned-travel entrepreneur, who believes in a world unlocked and without barriers, brimming with rich experiences that shun discrimination and encourage self-discovery. What began as a side gig grew into Blue Sky Escapes, a VirtuosoTM travel and lifestyle company based in Singapore that unlocks extraordinary experiences around the world.
EPISODE 2:
A WHOLE NEW (PHYGITAL) WORLD
MATHIAS KUEPPER
MANAGING DIRECTOR, KOELNMESSE
Mathias is the Managing Director of Koelnmesse Pte Ltd, one of the world’s largest trade fair companies, and oversees the offices in Singapore, Thailand, Japan and Taiwan. A trailblazer in the MICE industry with more than 18 years of experience, Mathias’ leadership guided Koelnmesse onto the path of digital transformation.
CHONG SIAK CHING
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE
Besides being the Chief Executive Officer of National Gallery Singapore; home to the largest public collection of modern art in Southeast Asia, Siak Ching is also the Head of the Visual Arts Cluster, which comprises the Singapore Art Museum, Singapore Tyler Print Institute, and National Gallery Singapore. Prior to her current role, she was the President and CEO of Ascendas from 2001 and was recognised as Outstanding CEO of the Year at the Singapore Business Awards 2009 for her leadership and dynamism.
SANTOZ KUMAR
DIRECTOR OF SALES FOR ASIA, IRONMAN GROUP
Santoz is the Director of Sales for Asia for IRONMAN Group, the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world, including the famous IRONMAN Triathlon Series and premier running events such as the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. With over a decade of experience in sales and partnerships, Santoz understands what it takes to organise large-scale sporting events.
EPISODE 3:
TRAVEL BY DESIGN
CHARU KOKATE
PRINCIPAL AND DIRECTOR, SAFDIE ARCHITECTS
Charu is the Principal and Director of Safdie Architects’ Singapore office, where she oversees and leads the firm’s efforts throughout Asia. Working closely with Founding Principal and Lead Designer Moshe Safdie, Charu is an influential point of contact for clients, contractors and consultants – where she has been integral in delivering projects that embody their original design intent. Notable Singapore projects include the iconic structures of Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort, Sky Habitat Residential Towers, and Jewel Changi Airport.
EPISODE 4:
A HANDSHAKE OF POSSIBILITIES
CHRISTIAN WESTBELD
MANAGING DIRECTOR, RAFFLES SINGAPORE
Appointed General Manager of Raffles Singapore in 2017, Christian has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry spanning various cities including Bangkok, Manila, Dubai, Singapore, Beijing and more. Christian’s dynamism and acute business acumen saw him take Raffles Singapore to new heights as he oversaw the iconic hotel’s extensive restoration, leading up the hotel’s grand reopening in 2019.
FELIX LOH
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, GARDENS BY THE BAY
Felix is the Chief Executive Officer of the award-winning Gardens by the Bay. A horticulturist by training, Felix began his career at the National Parks Board and subsequently worked at the Ministry of National Development. With more than 20 years of experience in parks management, horticulture and landscape industry development, he now leads a team to curate and refresh immersive experiences for visitors, as well as to showcase the Gardens as a model for sustainable development and conservation.
HOSSAN LEONG
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DOUBLE CONFIRM PRODUCTIONS
One of Singapore’s most loved and recognised entertainers, Hossan is a consummate performer. He is also the founder of Double Confirm Productions, a theatre and entertainment company that produces musicals and events with a local flair. In 2011, Hossan was conferred Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication for his contributions toward bridging the cultures between France and Singapore.
MICHAEL LEE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, HUSTLE & BUSTLE
Michael is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hustle & Bustle. Having spent more than a decade in the creative industry, Michael and his team have spearheaded inaugural firsts such as Fullerton Concours d’Elegance, a vintage car exhibition and most recently, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, organising American sculptor Dale Chihuly’s first major garden exhibition in Asia, Dale Chihuly: Glass in Bloom, at Gardens by the Bay. Michael also founded The Common Ground, an inclusive space for start-ups and individuals to network and share ideas.