The mind behind many of Singapore's brands such The Monarchy and Podium Lounge, we talk to Robbie Hoyes-Cock about what it means to be the premiere party for the city during the F1 Season.
ADM: What inspired you to start the Podium Lounge brand?
RHC:I have been organising invitation-only high society parties in Singapore under the brand name B-Yond since 2005 and was approached by the GM of The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia - Peter Mainguy, to host a 3-night, ticketed event by The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore poolside back in 2009. It was such a resounding success and we attracted numerous Formula 1 drivers, F1 teams and celebrities to The Podium Lounge, so we figured it would be something we would want to host annually. In 2014 we moved from the poolside to the Grand Ballroom (and the vast majority of Level 1 of The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia) to accommodate over 3,000 guests each night and we've never looked back since!
ADM: Being the premier party for the racing scene around the world how has it grown since your first Podium Lounge?
RHC: In 2013 we expanded The Podium Lounge internationally to Abu Dhabi for the 1st time for the Season Finale in the desert! We hosted The Podium Lounge on the rooftop of the Yas Viceroy Hotel which is literally the only custom-built Formula 1 hotel in the world that also straddles the track. We were later chosen to host the extraordinary celebration by Red Bull Racing for Sebastian Vettel who had just become a 4-time Formula 1 World Champion. They invited the entire Paddock Club and majority of the F1 Drivers and teams joined too. It was such an incredible event and one that I shall never forget. We followed up that success with Podium Lounge parties in Melbourne (at Ms Collins) and then Monaco (at Zelo's, The Grimaldi Forum) and then returned to the Yas Viceroy in Abu Dhabi again in November 2014.
We're now seriously looking at expanding once more to Vietnam in 2020 where they are introducing the Hanoi Street Circuit Grand Prix.
ADM: As the most exclusive party of the F1 Season in Singapore, what would say sets Podium Lounge aside from the rest of the parties during the period?
RHC: The Podium Lounge Singapore is situated within the track and just 200m from The Paddock Club and The Pit Lane, making it extremely convenient for guests of the Marina Bay Street Circuit and The Singapore Grand Prix to come celebrate with us from 10pm on each of the 3 nights of the F1 weekend (Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September).
With a dazzling mix of entertainment and a concert style atmosphere combined with the intimacy of a VIP ultra lounge, The Podium Lounge allows guests to get up close and personal with the who's who of the Racing Community. We have become world-famous for hosting a plethora of celebrities including Formula 1 Drivers, Legends, Royalty, supermodels, billionaires and Asia's jet-setting elite.
We also work very closely with a number of carefully selected luxury brand partners who all do exciting exhibitions ranging from wine launches, to supercar showcases, fashion shows, art sales and with a very strong focus on interactive and hugely engaging activations.
We up the ante every year and are particularly excited to have the likes of Sporty Spice Melanie C, Raleigh Ritchie (aka Grey Worm from Game of Thrones), and Daniel Jones from Savage Garden headlining this year!
ADM: What's next for Podium Lounge?
RHC: We're constantly raising the bar, staging bigger and better shows with even more entertaining content together with top-tier luxury brand partners. We're expecting a sell-out show across all 3 nights again this year for our very special 11th edition of The Podium Lounge Singapore.
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