Singapore splashes out on business events.

What is the connection between a little girl looking into a goldfish bowl of coins, and an elderly couple dancing on the beach?

Yeoh Siew Hoon explains the link in her report on the launch of the Singapore Tourism Board's new BTMICE campaign which puts S$170 million at the disposal of industry partners and, at the same time, kicks off a new three-year advertising campaign.

Yeoh Siew Hoon applauds a campaign "that doesn't show convention centres or two businessmen shaking hands, but features advertisements that show a little girl looking into a goldfish bowl of coins, wondering about the magic of money. And an elderly couple dancing on the beach showing the human benefits of stem cell research".

Thubron talks the walk

Dropping into the café this week for a chat is Ian Thubron, executive vice president for advertising agency TBWA Asia Pacific and chief executive officer, TBWA Hong Kong.

In a SHY interview, he reveals – among other things – that his most irksome travel experience is "the long walk from gate 70 to the train to the immigration at Chek Lap Kok after a long trip. On the same note, immigration queues (eg Shanghai) after any flight."

Quirky and quaint in Richmond

Also make his debut in the café is David Andrews, general manager, Overseas Operations for VisitBritain. David is back in London after working for VB in Singapore for four years. This is a wonderful insider's guide to Richmond and should be read by all those heading to  the Uk capital.

David says, "If you want to see London at its very best, then Richmond's a must. It's got quirky shopping. Bustling waterfront. Some of the quaintest pubs in London. Plus a superb choice of restaurants."

Blogs, dead fish and e-learning.

In this week's Media Watch, you can find out which nation is the best at blogging, while The Wrap looks at the threat to one of England's quirkiest traditional games in which contestants knock each other over with a 5ft dead conger eel. Plus there's some SmartThinking going on as Take Me There delves into the global growth of e-learning.

It's all in this week's The Transit Café. Pop by www.thetransitcafe.com for a cuppa.