My Sunday 'Sands Expo Convention Center Recce' for STGCC 2012
This year, the Singapore Toy Games & Comic Convention moves from their "usual" Suntec City Convention Center venue, to the Sands Expo Convention Center in Marina Bay Sands, for the first time since it's inception in 2008. And mind you folks, remember that the event is physically at Sands Expo and not inside MBS itself (although it is still apart of the building area), which might affect your travels there, and MBS is a huge locale for you to be searching for within, IMHO. Do not end up wandering into the casinos tho, we want you to spend your hard-earned moneys at STGCC! *MUAHAHAHAHAHA*
Admittedly, I had my reservations about the locale, primarily about attendees accessing the venue (which no doubt is out of my control) and accessibility by myself - which at this juncture in my life, is an extremely important aspect. Physicality is the only boundary between I can tangibly achieve, or not do at all.
With that in mind, I made a trip to Sands Expo for a little "Sunday Reconnaissance". I have learnt that I am a visual person that needs visual confirmation, instead of being visual and be disappointed by my expectation of others' descriptions LOL
LOCATION MAP:
The Sands Expo Convention Center is right next to Marina Bay Sands itself, and not literally INSIDE of MBS, although they are connected inside seamlessly, so you could access the food courts and eateries inside without needing to "exit" the building exposed to the elements.
I did not check out the open-air parking situation (on-left expo, not seen in map above), but my brother mentioned it was about SGD$6.50 an hour, so *gulp*.
UPDATED: "Driving to STGCC? Flash STGCC 2012 ticket at concierge on level 1 outside exhibition hall to buy 1-time parking ticket for only $6 for the duration of STGCC 2012." (via)
Accessibility to the halls themselves, is perhaps 20-ish meters from the taxi drop-off bay. From drive-in road, to sliding doors, to hallway doors. Heck, that saves me a heck of trouble unloading my goodies and trolleying in, instead of the loading bay out back of the Expo! But then again, us folks at Artist Alley might not have truckloads to contend with, isn't it? Heh. And yes, I have video!
View 'A' @ MBS Convention Center:
View 'B' @ MBS Convention Center:
And while I did not get a confirmation from Secruity (which a small counter is stationed at the end of the drop-off point), but seems there is a seating area outside next to the bus stop, which may well be the "unofficial" Smoking area - but that is just my speculation, and not fact! (I know how tedious it may be, being a smoker myself previously … alternatively is literally outside beside the expo lol).
HALL LOCATION:
Below: Hall Interior - currently being used as covered drop-off and pickup for Shuttle Bus services.
According to the concierge at Sands Expo, the convention takes up all Halls A thru to C, which I roughly plot against the STGCC Layout Plan with (posted below) to find myself in Hall B, close to the toilet (for which I am utterly grateful). Notice the toilets are spaced out to only one per hall, with one of them outside Hall A, and shared by the general public as well.
CONVENTION LAYOUT PLAN:
And here you have it, a Layout Plan of STGCC for your viewing pleasures (Apologies for the small-res version, as this was what I was given). Note where F51 is - at the literal back of Hall B, right before the 'Hot Toys Exclusives Collection Point' LOL - so see you folks there!
Do note that Marina Bay Sands is linked directly to Bayfront MRT station (CE2, Exit B, C, D, E) along the Circle Line Extension, with access into MBS within it's premises itself. Remember once you exit the turnstiles and going into MBS itself, turn LEFT for STGCC :)
Admittedly, I had my reservations about the locale, primarily about attendees accessing the venue (which no doubt is out of my control) and accessibility by myself - which at this juncture in my life, is an extremely important aspect. Physicality is the only boundary between I can tangibly achieve, or not do at all.
With that in mind, I made a trip to Sands Expo for a little "Sunday Reconnaissance". I have learnt that I am a visual person that needs visual confirmation, instead of being visual and be disappointed by my expectation of others' descriptions LOL
The Sands Expo Convention Center is right next to Marina Bay Sands itself, and not literally INSIDE of MBS, although they are connected inside seamlessly, so you could access the food courts and eateries inside without needing to "exit" the building exposed to the elements.
I did not check out the open-air parking situation (on-left expo, not seen in map above), but my brother mentioned it was about SGD$6.50 an hour, so *gulp*.
UPDATED: "Driving to STGCC? Flash STGCC 2012 ticket at concierge on level 1 outside exhibition hall to buy 1-time parking ticket for only $6 for the duration of STGCC 2012." (via)
Accessibility to the halls themselves, is perhaps 20-ish meters from the taxi drop-off bay. From drive-in road, to sliding doors, to hallway doors. Heck, that saves me a heck of trouble unloading my goodies and trolleying in, instead of the loading bay out back of the Expo! But then again, us folks at Artist Alley might not have truckloads to contend with, isn't it? Heh. And yes, I have video!
View 'A' @ MBS Convention Center:
View 'B' @ MBS Convention Center:
And while I did not get a confirmation from Secruity (which a small counter is stationed at the end of the drop-off point), but seems there is a seating area outside next to the bus stop, which may well be the "unofficial" Smoking area - but that is just my speculation, and not fact! (I know how tedious it may be, being a smoker myself previously … alternatively is literally outside beside the expo lol).
Below: Hall Interior - currently being used as covered drop-off and pickup for Shuttle Bus services.
According to the concierge at Sands Expo, the convention takes up all Halls A thru to C, which I roughly plot against the STGCC Layout Plan with (posted below) to find myself in Hall B, close to the toilet (for which I am utterly grateful). Notice the toilets are spaced out to only one per hall, with one of them outside Hall A, and shared by the general public as well.
CONVENTION LAYOUT PLAN:
And here you have it, a Layout Plan of STGCC for your viewing pleasures (Apologies for the small-res version, as this was what I was given). Note where F51 is - at the literal back of Hall B, right before the 'Hot Toys Exclusives Collection Point' LOL - so see you folks there!
Do note that Marina Bay Sands is linked directly to Bayfront MRT station (CE2, Exit B, C, D, E) along the Circle Line Extension, with access into MBS within it's premises itself. Remember once you exit the turnstiles and going into MBS itself, turn LEFT for STGCC :)
