One of the benefits of being an ICEFAT member is attending our annual Convention held in countries around the world. This perk enables our employees, engaged in international shipping of art and exhibitions, to learn first hand the cultural nuances and business norms of their partner companies.

The 29th ICEFAT convention was hosted in late September by Helutrans, in Singapore. Any impressions that Singapore remained a quaint colonial outpost were to be quickly dispelled. Singapore is a vibrant modern city, with a diverse, sophisticated, and most importantly, a courteous populace. It is also an economic powerhouse.
It’s Ports are packed with container ships, it’s people hardworking and productive. Businesses large and small were in evidence everywhere, as were the excellent food venues.

There seemed to be no such thing as a bad meal in Singapore. The city streets are lined with overarching trees that effectively screen out the surrounding high rise architecture of office buildings and apartments.
The beautifully maintained landscaping gives the impression of driving through continuous parkland.

Among the highlights of the convention was an evening reception, hosted by Dick Chia and Ida Ng of Helutrans, at the Singapore Art Museum, a beautifully designed contemporary structure. Excursions
took ICEFAT delegates to the stunning Orchid Gardens, Indian and Chinese temples and finally, to the historic Raffles Hotel. ICEFAT also had prestigious visitors. International Art Services, of Australia, generously sponsored the participation of a contingent of Australian Registrars to our convention. This enabled the Registrars to meet our delegates and to see first hand the importance of ICEFAT in the art and exhibition shipping business.

ART ECONOMICS

ICEFAT also welcomed Professor Victoria Lu, the Artistic Director of “Bund 18 Creative Center”, Shanghai China. Ms. Lu gave an informative lecture on art economics in the new China. She showed
examples of the diverse art being created by a new wave of Chinese artists and discussed their impact on the international art sales market. She also said that many new museums were under construction
or planning in China.

ICEFAT members may find additional information concerning the Singapore convention in Marianne’s report, which is included in the Members area of the ICEFAT website.

We are looking forward to our next convention in Istanbul, Turkey.