For Assistance

On your arrival in Singapore, should you require any assistance, please contact the conference secretariat through the following channels:

Conference Information

You may also find the abbreviated information regarding Next STEP Global Conference 2024 below.

About Singapore

Located right in the heart of Asia, Singapore thrives as an international financial and trading hub. Its reputed efficiency, skilled workforce, strong trade agreements, excellent infrastructure, extensive and high-growth networking base make Singapore a compelling destination for business and conventions. Looking further beneath Singapore's business legacy, you will find a rich social fabric that is vibrant, colourful and unique in many ways.

Singapore is a city of contrast: It is East and West; it is where the ideas of the future mingle with the ways of tradition; where one can enjoy breakfast with orangutans at the famed Singapore Zoo or groove to a different beat in the company of party animals.

This is a city with many unique and enriching experiences throughout the year. Enjoy a rich events calendar, from world-class musical to boisterous festivals. For culture vultures, museums and art venues are a must-see, and traditional Chinese operas have been and remain hot on the list.

Climate

Singapore has a pleasant, tropical climate year-round, varying from an average of 28 – 31 degrees Celsius during the day to 23 – 27 degrees Celsius in the evenings. It is not unusual to have intermittent showers on a sunny day but the showers rarely last long and they provide a cool respite. The rainy season in Singapore is from November till February. For today’s weather, visit the Singapore Meteorological website.

Getting around Singapore

By Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Bus
Singapore has an efficient and relatively inexpensive public transport system that makes travelling around easy and comfortable. The MRT has lines that covers the main areas of the city and out to the further parts of the island. It is probably the fastest way to get around the city.

Buses connects the various corners in Singapore. It is comfortable and makes for a great scenic ride at a low rate.

Stored-value EZ-Link fare cards can be used on both the MRT and buses, and can be purchased at TransitLink offices in MRT stations. These save you the bother of trying to dig up exact change for bus meters. The card does carry a S$5 initial cost and a S$3 deposit — for a S$15 initial investment, you'll get S$7 worth of travel credit.

A better deal is the Singapore Tourist Pass, a card that allows unlimited travel on MRT trains and public buses for 1, 2, or 3 days. The cost ranges from S$17 to S$29 per day, with a refundable S$10 deposit. Passes can be purchased at the following MRT stations: Bugis, Changi Airport, City Hall, Farrer Park, Orchard, Chinatown, Raffles Place, Somerset, and Harbourfront.

Next Step Conference will be held at Raffles Hotel and the nearest MRT station is City Hall located along the East West (EW13) & North South (NS25) line. MRT Map

By Taxi
Taxi in Singapore use meters and are reasonably priced, however there may difficulty in getting a cab during the peak hour or when it is raining. Cab drivers also normally change shifts between 4pm and 5pm, making it notoriously difficult to score a taxi then.

The fare system is also complicated, but thankfully it's all metered, so there's no haggling over fares. The basic flagfall is $3.00 to $5.00 then $0.24 for every 400m.

Payment by credit card incurs a 10% surcharge. You can also pay using your EZ-Link transport card. For a comprehensive list of fares and surcharges, visit www.taxisingapore.com.

Taxi booking numbers:
Comfort Taxi and CityCab – 6552 1111
Premier Taxis – 6363 6888
SMRT Taxis – 6555 8888

Currency, Credit Cards and Exchange Rate

The currency unit in Singapore is the Singapore dollar (SGD or $).
1SGD = 0.69EUR
1SGD = 0.75USD

There are some on-line currency converters available, please take a look at:
http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

Cash withdrawal machines (ATM), banks and exchange offices are available city-wide. Well-known credit cards (American Express, MasterCard, Visa) are accepted in hotels, most of the restaurants and shops.

Visas

Consular information for foreigners traveling to Singapore can be found at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

No visa is required for citizens of EU countries, USA, Canada and Latin America.
No visa is required for citizens of most European countries, some exceptions are: Russia, Ukraine and Moldova.

To learn if you will require an entry visa into Singapore, please visit the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority

Emergency Number

Police: 999
Ambulance/ Fire Brigade: 995

Language

There are four official languages in Singapore: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. English is widely spoken and it serves as the official language of business and administration. Most Singaporeans are bilingual, and speak their mother tongue as well as English.

Time Zone

Singapore Standard Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8

Voltage

Electric appliances need to be 230V/50Hz (although appliance set for 220 to 240 volts will operate).
Singapore uses a Type-G plug and for wall sockets. This is a flat three-pin plug (as used in the UK)

Taxes

There is a 9% Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Singapore which is a broad-based value added tax levied on import of goods, as well as nearly all supplies of goods and services.

Dress

Lightweight summer clothing is sufficient. A suit is suitable for business. Restaurants that are more formal may also require a jacket. Conference dress code for speakers and moderator are Business Casual (Jacket without tie)

Tipping

Usually, there is a 10% service charge added to the bill. If not, tipping is not usual nor encouraged in Singapore.

Business Hours

• Bank Hours: In general, banking hours are 9am to 3pm Monday through Friday and 9.30am to 11.30am on Saturdays.
• Office Hours: Most offices are open from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
• Shop Hours: Shops are general open from 10am to 9pm from Monday through Saturday. Most are open on Sundays.