Tourism brings places and experiences to life, and at STB, professionals work to keep Singapore a vibrant, must-visit destination for leisure and business. Among them are STB Scholars Joy Lo and Rebecca Yeong, who each play a part in shaping the nation’s global appeal.

As Assistant Manager, Exhibitions & Conferences II, Joy analyses trends and develops strategies to attract business events. Her journey began with the STB Local Full-Term Scholarship, which gave her early exposure to the tourism sector and the foundation for her current work. For Rebecca, the STB Overseas Full-Term Scholarship opened doors to international experiences that now inform her role as Manager, Conventions II, where she manages bids and brings professional services events to Singapore.

They take us behind the scenes of the work that bolsters Singapore’s presence on the global stage.

What inspired you to pursue a career with STB?

Joy: I’ve always been drawn to work that’s creative, dynamic and exciting — something that keeps me engaged and constantly learning. Tourism wasn’t something I initially considered, but a chance encounter opened my eyes. While interning in an MNC’s communications department, my boss (a former STB marketing employee) said that in most companies, marketing or communications means competing with similar firms offering similar products within the same industry. At STB, however, you operate at a national level, representing an entire country on the global stage. There’s simply nothing else quite like the scope and impact of that work.

Rebecca: I always heard from seniors and friends that STB was a good place to work. In junior college, I was most drawn to tourism and hospitality programmes and knew I was suited to work in a statutory board. My personal metric for choosing scholarships was simple: which organisations would I still apply to, regardless of whether I received a scholarship? STB topped my list, and I would have applied for its Management Associates Programme (MAP) even without the scholarship.

What about the STB Scholarship stood out to you, Joy?

What immediately caught my attention was how well it aligned with what I was seeking in a career — creativity, excitement, and the chance to work in a dynamic environment. The prospect of contributing to Singapore’s tourism and events landscape felt genuinely exciting, so I applied on a whim.

Rebecca, how did the scholarship help shape your journey at STB?

The scholarship offered ample opportunities for exposure across different parts of STB. During my summer holidays, I completed three internships in the Marketing Group, Industry Development Group (then Policy Planning Group), and International Group, gaining experience in marketing and brand work, Stay-Home Notice operations and hotel policy, and Regional Office work in London.

The MAP rotations really helped me discover my strengths where I could best contribute most to the Board. I discovered that I enjoy business development — negotiating with clients, striking deals, forging partnerships, and solving complex challenges — which makes Conventions the perfect fit for me.

You’ve clearly found your niche! Joy, could you share a project you’ve enjoyed working on so far?

I’ll always remember working on the reopening of the Chinatown Heritage Centre. I curated content and interactive experiences, meeting stakeholders and long-time residents who shared their personal stories. It wasn’t just about the displays; it was about honouring the community’s lived experiences while making their stories compelling for new generations. Working on this project was incredibly fulfilling, and I felt deeply privileged to help preserve important heritage in a way that remains meaningful for future visitors.

Rebecca, which part of your work gives you the greatest satisfaction?

Being able to see the tangible benefits and outcomes of my work. Every event secured brings visitors to Singapore and profiles the country as a thought leader.

I manage business events in the professional services sector. Often, I meet someone in the legal or finance field, mention an event I helped secure, and they immediately recognise it or express interest in attending. It’s extremely gratifying to see my work influence entire industries, sometimes reaching people I meet serendipitously.

What’s it like working at STB, Rebecca?

I have amazing colleagues in my division, many of whom I regard as my lifelong friends. I look forward to having lunch with them, bantering in the office, celebrating our wins and mourning our losses. Everyone in the division looks out for one another.

Joy, how have your experiences at STB helped you grow professionally?

My professional growth has been accelerated by exposure to different parts of Singapore’s tourism ecosystem through diverse rotations. STB strongly encourages officers to try different roles, which allowed me to see how different sectors fit together to form the larger tourism ecosystem. Through rotations across multiple divisions, including Arts and Cultural Precincts and International Group HQ, I gained experience in programming, marketing, and market performance analysis. Each rotation built upon the previous, developing my strategic thinking and cultural sensitivity. The variety of work has given me a comprehensive view of how different industries collaborate to strengthen Singapore’s global appeal.

What opportunities does STB offer for its scholars?

Joy: Aspiring scholars can expect meaningful exposure to tourism starting with internships during university years. These opportunities help you see how your academic knowledge — whether in economics, psychology, urban planning, or another field — can be applied to policy development, market research, partnerships, and project management.

Rebecca: The MAP after graduation is the key opportunity. It allows rotations through two to three divisions and exposure to different portfolios within STB. It’s a valuable chance to discover the type of work that truly inspires you.

Any parting advice for keen readers, Joy?

Tourism is rewarding but it demands attention to detail, planning, creative problem-solving, and resilience. As former STB Chief Executive Keith Tan said during my scholarship interview, tourism often appears very glamorous. It’s vibrant, fun, and creates excitement that gets people talking. Yet behind every seamless experience lies immense unseen effort.

My advice: embrace both sides of tourism. Celebrate the energy it brings, but also appreciate the meticulous planning, problem-solving, and resilience required behind the scenes. If you do, you’ll truly thrive in this industry.