The first ISSRC was held in Singapore from April 23-25, 2008, at the Novotel Clarke Quay Hotel. A total of 290 delegates from 12 countries attended the conference, and 50 papers were presented. For many, this was their first attendance at a system safety conference.

During the Opening Ceremony, Conference Chair Onn Eng Ling (the first president of the Singapore Chapter) welcomed the gathering to the opening of new system safety frontiers in the region. Her address was followed by a speech by Dr. Geoff McIntyre, Director of Government and Inter-Society Services, on behalf of President Jim Wiggins. McIntyre thanked the sponsors and conference organizers, then briefly addressed the intellectual transformations that have taken place in safety thinking and the wide range of practical tools, processes, methodologies and multi-disciplinary subjects that attendees could take back to their various workplaces to help influence safety.

Chapter President Fan Yue Sang introduced the keynote speaker, Brigadier General Tsoi Mun Heng, from the Singapore Ministry of Defence, who shared his perspectives on safety, especially in the context of Singapore.

In keeping with System Safety Society traditions, on the second day of the conference, delegates were treated to an International Luncheon and an informative presentation delivered by distinguished speaker Patricia Vittitow, the Chief of Safety at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command in Huntsville, Alabama.

An off-site social event, held at the Asian Civilisation Museum, featured some interesting culinary delights and lively Indian Bhangra Dancers from Singapore's multi-cultural background. During the dinner, the guests had their names hand-painted in Chinese calligraphy, and were also entertained by a fortune-telling parrot!

This successful ISSRC, along with future plans by the Singapore Chapter, presents several challenges that will impact heavily on the future direction of the Society and its traditional North American-based annual international conference timetable. In a post-conference meeting that addressed the many positive comments received and the thirst for more system safety knowledge, there was a consensus that the Society should re-examine the traditional timing of the annual ISSC to reflect potential Regional growth opportunities and reduce the financial burden on sponsors and attendees.

Plans are already underway for the next ISSRC in the Asia Pacific Region, to be held in 2010. For more information, or to leave feedback if you attended the ISSRC 08, go to http://www.systemsafety.org.sg/sessions/issrc08.php.

A total of 290 delegates from 12 countries attended the International System Safety Society Regional Conference (ISSRC) 2008, held from April 23-25 at the Novotel Clarke Quay Hotel. For many, this was their first attendance at a system safety conference.

ISSRC Conference Chair Onn Eng Ling and Dr. Geoff McIntyre, System Safety Society Director of Government and Inter-Society Services.

Singapore Chapter President Fan Yue Sang with Singapore Brigadier General Tsoi Mun Heng, the ISSRC 08 keynote speaker.