It is traditional at FDI world annual congresses for the gala dinner to be held in a venue unique to the host country. As the 2009 congress theme and logo used Singapore’s national flower, the orchid, the Singapore Dental Association (SDA) local organising committee (LOC) chose the Forrest restaurant at Orchidville, Mandai, as the venue for the gala dinner for about 650 participants on September 4.

What made the event unique?
LOC secretary, Dr Lim Lii, says: “We wanted delegates to see the ‘green’ part of Singapore. An ‘ambassador’ on each coach explained the different landscapes on the half-hour journey from Suntec Singapore to Mandai, where the Forrest restaurant had been transformed into an orchid paradise.”

To commemorate the Singapore congress, a new species of orchid was named Dendrobium FDI Singapore and officially presented to FDI with the registration certificate.

What about the special effects?
Jed Mok, general manager of corporate events at Pico Art International, says: “We took advantage of the natural flora environment. Through specially arranged pieces and strategic placement of LED lights, the venue was converted into an enchanted orchid garden with different moods at different points of the programme.”

What were the challenges?
As the venue is a functioning nursery by day, the décor had to be set-up in a short time period without disrupting business operations.

“Through a specially designed lighted fabric that enhanced the theme and precise lighting, we were able to create an exclusive experience for guests,” says Mok. “The Chinese dinner menu was carefully crafted to fit the eating culture and palettes of our foreign guests. Each received a preserved orchid; it was a challenge to produce quality blooms for the memento within such a short timeframe.”

Adds Lim: “The PR director of the Russian Dental Association said it was the most wellorganised gala dinner she had attended in over 10 years.”