Singapore—It was announced on Wednesday, October 9, that former US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, will be coming to the country this December. The events where President and Mrs Obama will be speaking have been announced as well.
The events headlined by the Obamas were organized by The Growth Faculty, a “business education provider” that brings thought leaders from around the world for speaking engagements.
At his first public business event in the country, President Obama will be speaking with Asia-Pacific industry leaders on December 16th at the Singapore Expo, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. The event is titled, ‘In Conversation with President Barack Obama,’ and the former US Head of State will be discussing his time in office as well as his perspectives on leadership.
The announcement on The Growth Faculty website reads, “President Barack Obama’s path to success is unlike any other. As a global leader, pioneer and 44th president of the United States, his journey is one of resilience, perseverance and triumph, the result of exceptional determination and true tenacity.
In times of great challenge and change, President Obama’s leadership ushered in a stronger economy, a more equal society, a nation more secure at home and more respected around the world.”
Mrs Obama will speak two days before that, on December 14th, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm, in an event called ‘An Evening with Michelle Obama,’ also at the Singapore Expo. Mrs Obama will be talking about her public and private life as the first African-American First Lady of the United States and sharing from her bestselling memoir, Becoming.
According to The Growth Faculty, “Michelle Obama is one of the most iconic, inspiring and compelling women of our era…. She helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world.”
VIP tickets for Mrs Obama’s event are priced at S$895 for Non-Members of The Growth Faculty. For members of the American Association of Singapore, tickets are selling for S$ 795. Standard tickets are S$295 for members and $345 for non-members.
VIP ticket holders are invited to a cocktail party earlier in the evening, from 6:00-7:00, where Mrs Obama will not be present. They will be given priority seating in the front section of the auditorium and have a separate red-carpet VIP entrance.
They will also receive a copy of Mrs Obama’s autobiography, Becoming, as well as a commemorative VIP lanyard and tote bag, programme, notebook, and pen, and be given complimentary parking.
The price of standard tickets to President Obama’s event is the same as tickets to ‘An Evening with Michelle Obama.’ However, VIP tickets to his event are S$ 1,195 and S$ 1,295 for members and non-members respectively.
VIP ticket holders will be treated to a VIP Business Leaders lunch after the event, from 1:15 to 3:00 pm, described on the website as a three-course sit-down lunch with a Premium wine package. There will also be a panel discussion with high-level Singapore leaders for, and, as with Mrs Obama’s event, VIP ticket holders will be given commemorative VIP lanyard and tote bag, programme, notebook, and pen, and have access to complimentary parking.
The website notes that the President will not be attending the VIP business lunch./ TISG
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