Singapore, September 25, 2024 – IEG Asia Pte. Ltd., the Southeast Asian subsidiary of Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), has been awarded Best Italian SME in Singapore by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (ICCS) during the prestigious ICCS Business Awards 2024. The award recognizes IEG Asia's pivotal role in fostering international collaboration and promoting economic relations between Italy and Singapore.
Why IEG Asia Was Selected
IEG Asia stood out for its strategic investments in Singapore’s MICE sector—particularly through events such as Sigep Asia and SIJE (Singapore International Jewelry Expo)—as well as its commitment to shaping the local business landscape and creating strong links with Italy.
The award ceremony was held in the presence of Italian Ambassador to Singapore Dante Brandi, ICE Singapore Director Giorgio Calveri, and key leaders from the Italian and Singaporean business communities. Receiving the award were Ilaria Cicero, CEO of IEG Asia, and Francesco Santa, IEG’s International Business Development Director. Also in attendance was Carlo Costa, Chief Commercial Officer of IEG.
Statements and Highlights
“We are grateful to ICCS and to all who have supported IEG Asia on this exciting journey,” said Ilaria Cicero. “Singapore continues to attract Italian companies thanks to its position as the ASEAN region’s top economic hub. In just over a year, IEG Asia has acquired exhibitions in the F&B, Ho.Re.Ca., and jewelry sectors from both local and international organizers—with the support of Algebra Pte. Ltd. in Singapore. Many challenges lie ahead, but we will continue to expand our presence across Singapore and ASEAN with determination and professionalism.”
“This award is a great honor and a clear sign that our mission to bring Italian excellence to the world is on the right path—especially in Singapore, which was Italy’s top export destination in Southeast Asia in 2023, with exports exceeding €2.8 billion (+16.9%),” added Francesco Santa. “It’s a team effort—driven by passion and the trust of our partners and clients.”
“According to Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, the country’s economy grew by 2.7% in Q1 2024, accelerating from Q4 2023. This makes our recognition even more significant,” noted Carlo Costa. “It shows that the IEG spirit—built on curiosity, professionalism, teamwork, and attention to detail—works well even far from our headquarters, which remain strongly connected to all our global offices.”
IEG Among World’s Top 27 Trade Show Organizers for Second Year in a Row
IEG’s success in Singapore is part of a broader global achievement: for the second consecutive year, Italian Exhibition Group is the only Italian company ranked among the world’s top 27 trade fair organizers, according to the Stax Global Exhibition Organizer Ranking. Compiled by the international strategic consulting firm Stax, the ranking is based solely on revenue generated by directly organized exhibitions.
Notably, four of the top 27 organizers are IEG’s industrial or commercial partners, helping to expand IEG’s industry leadership into strategic regions like the Middle East and the Americas. Among them:
- Informa, ranked #1 globally by Stax, co-organizes JGT Dubai with IEG (a premier gold and jewelry trade show)
- Koelnmesse, IEG’s partner for Sigep China
- Deutsche Messe, collaborating with IEG in Mexico and Canada
- Nürnberg Messe, which organizes Focus on PCB at IEG’s Vicenza exhibition center
These partnerships confirm IEG’s commitment to internationalization and continuous growth in high-potential markets.