Hiring a corporate event organiser in Singapore is the difference between an event that runs itself and one where your HR team is stress-eating behind the AV booth. Whether it’s a 50-person team building session or a 2,000-pax dinner and dance, Singapore has hundreds of event companies — but finding the right one for your budget, timeline, and event type is where most companies get stuck.

This guide covers the practical stuff: what corporate events actually cost in Singapore, how to plan on a realistic timeline, and what to look for (and avoid) when choosing an organiser.

Types of Corporate Events in Singapore

Before you start getting quotes, know what you’re planning. Each event type has different requirements, pricing, and lead times:

Event Type	Typical Size	Budget Range/Pax	Lead Time	Complexity
Dinner & Dance	100–2,000	$120–$250	3–6 months	High
Team Building	20–500	$40–$150	4–8 weeks	Medium
Family Day	100–2,000+	$50–$150	3–5 months	High
Awards & Conferences	50–1,000	$80–$200	2–4 months	High
Product Launch	50–500	$100–$300	2–3 months	High
Town Hall / AGM	50–500	$30–$80	2–4 weeks	Low–Medium
Company Retreat	20–100	$150–$400	2–3 months	Medium

What Corporate Events Actually Cost in Singapore

This is what most “planning guides” skip — real numbers. Here’s what companies in Singapore typically spend:

Dinner and Dance

The most expensive corporate event for most companies. A mid-range hotel D&D for 300 pax runs $45,000–$60,000 all-in ($150–$200/pax). Budget D&Ds at function rooms start around $120/pax. Premium hotel galas hit $250/pax. See our full D&D cost breakdown for detailed pricing.

Team Building

The most common corporate event. Indoor workshops run $40–$80/pax, outdoor activities like Amazing Race cost $65–$120/pax, and premium experiences (yacht, cooking masterclass) hit $100–$150/pax. Half-day programmes are the sweet spot — 3–4 hours keeps energy high without burning out.

Family Day

Costs $50–$150/pax depending on venue and activities. Mid-range events at parks with inflatables, carnival games, and buffet catering average $80–$110/pax. See our family day cost guide for a complete breakdown.

Awards Ceremony / Conference

Hotel ballroom events with stage, AV, and dinner typically run $100–$200/pax. The AV and production budget alone can be $8,000–$25,000 depending on LED screens, lighting rigs, and live streaming requirements.

Where the Money Actually Goes

Cost Component	% of Budget	Notes
Venue	25–35%	The biggest single cost. Hotel ballrooms = premium; parks = budget-friendly
F&B / Catering	25–35%	$25–$70/pax depending on format (buffet, plated, BBQ)
Entertainment & Activities	15–25%	Emcee, performers, games, team building facilitators
AV & Production	10–20%	Sound, lights, LED screens, stage setup
Event Management	10–15%	Planning, coordination, on-site management
Decor & Logistics	5–10%	Theming, signage, transport, miscellaneous

12-Week Planning Timeline

Most corporate events need 3 months minimum. Here’s a realistic countdown:

Week	Milestone	Key Actions
12	Project kick-off	Define objectives, set budget, form committee, shortlist 3 event companies
10–11	Select organiser	Review proposals, compare quotes, check references, sign contract
8–9	Concept & venue	Finalise theme/concept, confirm venue booking, plan programme flow
6–7	Vendor booking	Book caterer, entertainment, AV, photographer. Send save-the-date to staff
4–5	Content & logistics	Finalise run sheet, prepare speeches/awards, design collateral
3	RSVP & headcount	Collect RSVPs, confirm dietary requirements, finalise seating if applicable
2	Final confirmation	Confirm headcount with all vendors, prepare contingency plans
1	Pre-event	Final walkthrough at venue, brief all vendors, prepare event-day kit
D-Day	Event day	Setup 3–4 hours before, sound check, team briefing, execute
+1	Post-event	Collect feedback, settle invoices, debrief with organiser, archive photos

How to Choose a Corporate Event Organiser

You’re not just hiring a vendor — you’re trusting someone with your company’s reputation in front of your entire team. Here’s how to evaluate:

Must-Have Criteria

• Relevant portfolio: Have they done YOUR type of event? A wedding planner isn’t a corporate event specialist
• Transparent pricing: Detailed quotes with line items, not vague “packages from $X”
• Client references: Ask for 2–3 contacts you can actually call. Check Google Reviews (look for 4.5+ stars)
• Dedicated coordinator: One person who owns your event from start to finish, not a different person each call
• Contingency planning: What happens if it rains? If the emcee cancels? If headcount changes last minute?

Red Flags

• No portfolio or only stock photos
• Can’t provide references from past clients
• Vague pricing — “we’ll confirm closer to the date”
• Slow to respond during the sales process (it only gets worse after you sign)
• Pushes their standard package instead of listening to your needs
• No on-site coordination included — they just “set up and leave”

Questions to Ask Before Signing

1. What’s included and what costs extra? (Get it in writing)
2. Who will be my point of contact and will they be on-site?
3. What’s your cancellation and postponement policy?
4. Can you share a detailed run sheet from a similar event?
5. What’s your wet weather / contingency plan?
6. How do you handle last-minute headcount changes?

Corporate Event Planning Checklist

Pre-Planning (3+ months out)

• ☐ Define event objectives and success metrics
• ☐ Set total budget with 10% contingency buffer
• ☐ Get management approval on budget and date
• ☐ Shortlist and contact 3 event organisers
• ☐ Review proposals and select organiser

Planning Phase (1–3 months out)

• ☐ Confirm venue and date
• ☐ Finalise event concept and programme
• ☐ Book all vendors (catering, AV, entertainment, photography)
• ☐ Send invitations / save-the-date
• ☐ Plan event collateral (signage, presentations, awards)
• ☐ Confirm dietary requirements and accessibility needs

Final Prep (1–2 weeks out)

• ☐ Finalise headcount with all vendors
• ☐ Confirm run sheet and timings
• ☐ Prepare wet weather contingency
• ☐ Brief speakers, award presenters, VIPs
• ☐ Prepare event-day emergency kit (tape, markers, extension cords, first aid)

Post-Event

• ☐ Send thank-you message to staff
• ☐ Collect feedback survey
• ☐ Review photos and share internally
• ☐ Debrief with organiser — what worked, what didn’t
• ☐ Settle final invoices
• ☐ Document learnings for next year

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Underestimating AV costs: Sound, screens, and lighting for a 300-pax D&D can easily hit $10,000–$15,000. Get quotes early
• No wet weather plan: Outdoor events in Singapore without a rain contingency are gambling. Always have a Plan B
• Last-minute booking: Good event companies are booked 2–3 months out. Q4 (Oct–Dec) fills up by August
• Ignoring dietary needs: Halal, vegetarian, allergies — Singapore’s diverse workforce means you can’t do one-size-fits-all catering
• Skipping the run sheet: No detailed minute-by-minute schedule = chaos on event day. Insist your organiser provides one
• Budget without contingency: Always keep 10% buffer. Something will go over budget — it always does

Venue Selection Guide for Singapore Corporate Events

Venue choice drives 40–60% of your total event budget. Here’s how to match venue type to event type in Singapore:

Team Building

Venue Type	Best For	Est. Cost	Examples
Function rooms (hotels/serviced offices)	Indoor workshops, escape rooms, cooking classes	$500–$3,000/day	Orchard Hotel, Pan Pacific, co-working spaces
Outdoor parks	Amazing Race, Sports Day, Outward Bound-style activities	$0–$500 (permit)	East Coast Park, Bishan-AMK Park, Jurong Lake Gardens
Private resort/chalet	Overnight retreats, mixed indoor-outdoor	$2,000–$8,000/day	D’Resort, Changi Cove, Costa Sands
Sentosa venues	Premium beach/outdoor team building	$3,000–$15,000	Palawan Green, Fort Siloso, Ola Beach Club

Dinner and Dance

Venue Type	Pax Range	Est. Cost/Pax (venue + F&B)	Best For
3-star hotel ballroom	100–500	$100–$140	Mid-range D&D with full AV package
4-star hotel ballroom	200–1,000	$150–$200	Premium D&D with built-in production
5-star hotel ballroom	300–2,000	$200–$300+	Flagship corporate galas, large companies
Stand-alone function hall	100–500	$80–$130	Budget-conscious teams who bring their own caterer and AV
Rooftop / unique venue	50–300	$120–$180	Creative theming, smaller intimate events

Pro tip: Hotel venues bundle venue + F&B + basic AV into a per-pax package. This simplifies budgeting but limits flexibility. Stand-alone halls give you more control (and sometimes lower cost) but require you to source everything separately.

Conferences and Awards Ceremonies

Venue Type	Pax Range	Day Rate	Notes
Hotel meeting rooms	20–100	$500–$3,000	Good for smaller conferences with basic AV needs
Hotel ballroom (conference setup)	100–1,000	$5,000–$25,000	Full production possible, in-house AV teams
Suntec City / Marina Bay Sands	500–10,000	$20,000+	Flagship MICE venues, full production infrastructure
Auditoriums (university/corporate)	100–500	$1,000–$5,000	Fixed seating, good acoustics, budget-friendly

AV and Production: What You’re Actually Paying For

AV costs are the most misunderstood line item in corporate events. A basic PA system and a full LED production setup have nothing in common — except that event company sales reps often call both “AV”.

AV Component	What It Is	Cost Range
Basic PA system	Speakers, microphones, mixer — for announcements and background music	$300–$800
Standard AV package	PA + projector + screen + mic + basic lighting	$1,500–$4,000
LED wall / screen	High-resolution display panels, modular (3×2m to full stage width)	$3,000–$15,000
Stage lighting	Moving heads, wash lights, follow spots — for D&D or awards	$2,000–$8,000
Live streaming setup	Camera, encoder, streaming crew for hybrid events	$1,500–$5,000
Full production (D&D / gala)	LED wall + full lighting + sound + technical crew	$10,000–$30,000+

Budget rule of thumb: For a basic team building or town hall, $1,500–$3,000 covers AV. For a D&D with a stage performance, budget $8,000–$15,000. For a full LED gala production, $15,000–$30,000+. Always ask what’s included and what the crew overtime rate is.

Questions to Ask Your AV Vendor

• Is the crew included, or is labour billed separately?
• What’s the setup time required (and is it billed)?
• What’s the overtime rate if the event runs long?
• Do you have backup equipment on-site?
• Who is the technical director on the day?

Managing Dietary Requirements in Multicultural Singapore

Singapore’s workforce is diverse — getting catering wrong is not just a logistics issue, it’s a respect issue. Here’s how to handle F&B properly:

Dietary Breakdown to Plan For

• Halal: Mandatory for Muslim employees. The caterer must be MUIS-certified Halal. Don’t assume — always verify the certificate
• Vegetarian: Typically 5–15% of guests. Indian vegetarian (no eggs, no meat, no seafood) is more restrictive than standard vegetarian
• Vegan: Growing category. Request plant-based options from caterers if >5% of headcount
• Nut allergies: Common and potentially severe. Alert caterers and label dishes
• Gluten-free: Less common in Singapore but worth asking in your RSVP form

Best Practice: The Safe Catering Structure

1. Use a MUIS-certified Halal caterer for the entire event — this covers Muslim guests and is acceptable to everyone else
2. Add a dedicated vegetarian section with clear labelling
3. Collect dietary requirements in your RSVP form with checkboxes (not free text)
4. Communicate dietary info to caterer at least 2 weeks before the event
5. Brief catering staff to answer questions about dish ingredients on the day

Avoid mixed Halal/non-Halal setups — they create confusion and risk. A fully Halal-certified menu is simpler and more inclusive than trying to run two parallel F&B streams.

Government Grants for Corporate Events and Training

Certain corporate events can qualify for partial government funding in Singapore — particularly those with a learning or development component:

SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC)

SFEC provides eligible employers with a one-time $10,000 credit to defray up to 90% of the cost of qualifying SkillsFuture-approved programmes. If your event includes structured training (leadership workshops, skills-based team building), part of the cost may be claimable.

• Administered by WSG and SSG
• Applies to workforce transformation programmes
• Check eligibility at skillsfuture.gov.sg/sfec

Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

EDG supports Singapore companies in growing and transforming their businesses. Events with a strategic alignment component (leadership retreats, strategic planning workshops) may qualify for EDG funding of up to 50–70% of qualifying costs.

• Administered by Enterprise Singapore
• Best suited for consultancy-led workshops or strategic retreats
• Apply via Business Grants Portal at least 30 days before the event starts

Important: Pure social events (D&D, family day, team bonding parties) do not qualify for grants. The event must have a documented learning or business transformation objective to be eligible.

Permits and Insurance for Singapore Events

Depending on your venue and event type, you may need permits and insurance. Skipping these can result in event shutdown — or worse, liability exposure:

Requirement	When Needed	Where to Apply	Cost / Lead Time
NParks event permit	Events at public parks (East Coast, Bishan, etc.) with >30 pax or commercial activity	NParks OneStop Portal	$150–$500 / 6–8 weeks
Public entertainment licence (PEL)	Events with live music, public performances, or paid admission	Singapore Police Force (SPF)	$50–$300 / 4–6 weeks
Liquor licence	Selling or providing alcohol at a non-licensed venue	Singapore Police Force	$1,000–$2,500 / 3–4 weeks
Public liability insurance	Required by most venues; covers injury/property damage to third parties	Any Singapore insurer	$200–$600 / 1–3 days
Pyrotechnics / special effects permit	Events with fireworks, confetti cannons, or laser shows	Singapore Police Force	Varies / 4–6 weeks

Note: Most professional event companies handle permit applications as part of their service. Always confirm this in your contract — don’t assume it’s included.

Corporate Event Trends in Singapore for 2025–2026

The events industry has shifted significantly post-pandemic. Here’s what leading companies in Singapore are doing differently:

• Hybrid events: Combining in-person attendance with live streaming for remote or overseas teams. Typical add-on cost: $1,500–$5,000 for professional streaming setup
• Sustainability focus: Reduced single-use plastics, plant-based menu options, locally-sourced food, digital programmes instead of printed collateral. Many MNCs now include sustainability criteria in event vendor briefings
• Wellness integration: Replacing alcohol-centric networking with yoga, meditation, or wellness workshops. Works well for year-end events as teams are already fatigued
• Gamification: Apps and QR code-based interactive games that let attendees participate on their phones during events. Increases engagement for conferences and town halls
• Smaller, more frequent events: Instead of one big annual event, companies are running quarterly 50–100 pax events. Better attendance, more consistent morale impact, easier to budget
• Personalisation: Customised goodie bags, named place cards, curated playlists by department — small touches that make employees feel seen

Post-Event: Reporting Back to Management

The work doesn’t end when the event wraps. A simple post-event report cements your credibility as an event organiser and builds the case for next year:

What to Include in Your Post-Event Report

• Attendance rate: Actual vs. registered. 80%+ attendance is considered a success
• Budget vs. actual spend: Line-item comparison of budget vs. final invoice
• Employee satisfaction score: From your post-event survey (aim for 8/10+ average)
• Top 3 highlights: Qualitative wins — memorable moments, strong attendance at specific activities
• Top 3 improvements: Honest feedback on what to do differently next time
• Recommendation for next year: Suggested format, budget range, timing

A one-page report — emailed to your HR Director and department heads within a week — turns the event from a cost centre into a strategic investment with measurable outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a corporate event cost in Singapore?

It varies widely by event type: team building runs $40–$150/pax, dinner and dance costs $120–$250/pax, family days are $50–$150/pax, and conferences run $80–$200/pax. For a 200-person mid-range D&D, expect a total budget of $30,000–$50,000.

How far in advance should I book a corporate event organiser?

At minimum 2–3 months for simple events (team building, town hall) and 4–6 months for complex events (D&D, family day, conferences). During peak season (Oct–Dec), book even earlier — top organisers fill up fast.

Can I plan a corporate event without an event company?

For small events under 50 pax (team lunches, workshops), absolutely. For anything larger, an event company saves you time, gets better vendor rates, and handles the hundreds of logistics details that trip up first-timers. The management fee (typically 10–15% of total budget) pays for itself in fewer headaches.

What’s the best time of year for corporate events in Singapore?

January–March (post-holiday, fresh budgets) and July–September (mid-year) offer better availability and pricing. November–December is peak season with premium pricing and limited availability — book by August if you’re planning a year-end event.

Need Help Planning Your Next Corporate Event?

Get Out! Events has been organising corporate events in Singapore since 2012 — from intimate 30-person team building sessions to 3,000-pax dinner and dance galas. Our clients include Google, DBS, Singtel, Daikin, and hundreds of Singapore SMEs.

Talk to us about your event — we’ll give you an honest assessment of what’s realistic for your budget and timeline.