Photo: Getty Images
Cover Photo: Getty Images

Powered by Gen.T, the Blue Water Heroes Awards is part of the four-day Blue Water EduFest organised by ONE15 Events Management, honouring individuals and organisations advocating for coastal and ocean health and protection

ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore has, since its initiation in 2007, been a vocal proponent of sustainability. The fish-friendly marina has won several international accolades, including Asian Marina of the Year for eight years. 

This year, it raises the bar higher with the inaugural Blue Water EduFest, which aims to build awareness around marine conservation in Southeast Asia. 

The four-day ticketed event, held from November 3 to 6, features a two-day Ocean Collective Summit conference; nightly charity auctions; a Mini Sustainable Luxury Showcase featuring sustainable products; and the inaugural Blue Water Heroes Awards, powered by Gen.T. 

Proceeds from the event will go towards beneficiaries such as WWF-Singapore and International SeaKeepers Society Asia to fund marine conservation efforts, as well as and, funding future editions of Blue Water Edufest.

Singapore’s Minister for National Development and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services, Desmond Lee, will be the guest-of-honour of the Blue Water EduFest, which is organised by ONE15 Events Management in partnership with Sentosa Development Corporation and International SeaKeepers Society Asia, and presented by Citi Private Bank. 

Read more: Wild Ambition: These Luxury Resorts In Asia Have Incredible Conservation Programmes

Tatler Asia
One°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore
Above The inaugural Blue Water Heroes Awards will be held at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore as part of the Blue Water EduFest (Photo: ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore)

On the goal of Blue Water EduFest, Arthur Tay, CEO of SUTL Enterprise, which owns the marina, says: “We need to garner strong support to advance the ‘Blue Water movement’ in this part of the world, in close collaboration with the governments and industry partners in the region.” 

“For me, there are two important colours of nature that affect lives and livelihoods: blue and green. Green is, of course, our flora and fauna, and blue refers to our oceans and coastlines, which are quickly deteriorating due to negligence, ignorance and sometimes, selfishness.”

Poh Chi Chuan, executive director of exhibitions and conferences at the Singapore Tourism Board, also expressed that holding the Blue Water EduFest in Singapore affirms the country’s sustainability ambitions. “We welcome the event’s vision of engaging and contributing to ongoing global conversations surrounding marine conservation. We look forward to welcoming participants to join the conversation in Singapore.”

Read more: "Conservation Shouldn't Be Romanticised": Environmentalist Dave Albao On The Practical Need For Sustainability

Blue Water Heroes Awards

The Blue Water EduFest features an awards programme powered by Gen.T called the Blue Water Heroes Awards. It will recognise individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions to advancing the protection and conservation of marine life and the marine environment in Southeast Asia and/or implemented innovative solutions to preserve coastlines and the communities they support.

Three winners will be announced, with each receiving a cash prize and additional benefits that will enable them to further develop their cause, including access to industry experts as well as collaboration and speaking opportunities with ONE°15 Marina and selected partners. 

The judging panel selecting the winners is comprised of executives and experts from ONE°15 Marina, WWF-Singapore, National University of Singapore’s Tropical Marine Science Institute, Citi Private Bank and Gen.T.

The selection criteria

  • Have made a positive impact in advocating for and protecting coastal and marine life and environments in the last 24 months. 
  • Primarily based in Southeast Asia or whose impact is mostly in Southeast Asia. 
  • An individual advocate or leader of a non-profit or NGO advancing society’s awareness of coastal and ocean conservation through education or leveraging the power of community to create scalable impact. 
  • A founder, co-founder or head of a social enterprise or company that is improving coastal and ocean health and sustainability with ground-breaking solutions using technology.

The prize

  • Cash prizes of S$5,000 (1st place), S$3,000 (2nd place) and S$2,000 (3rd place). 
  • Access to collaboration, speaking and networking opportunities with industry leaders and experts within ONE°15 Marina and Gen.T’s networks across the region. 
  • PR and marketing support through ONE°15 Marina and Gen.T.

If you fit the selection criteria or know someone who does, submit your nomination by 11.59pm Singapore time on July 18.

Once we've received and vetted all applications, we will invite the finalists and announce the three winners at the award ceremony, held at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore on November 4.

For more details, visit the Blue Water EduFest website.

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