SINGAPORE -- (ACN Newswire) -- There is nothing like the sparkle of Christmas lights emanating from the facade of malls on Orchard Road, and completing the magical festive experience on A Great Street.
In this year's Best Dressed Building Contest organised by Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA), two malls stole the limelight with their respective unique expression of Christmas. Orchard Central emerged the hot favourite amongst voters, clinching the inaugural 'Voters' Choice' award with its elaborate 'OC Christmas Dreamland' getup. Paragon took home the coveted 'Judges' Choice' award with its Christmas-magic themed decor.
The five other winners who also came out victorious include Forum The Shopping Mall, Mandarin Gallery, The Centrepoint, Tanglin Mall and TANGS @ Tang Plaza. The highly-anticipated annual contest saw 11 malls all spruced up in dashing yuletide styles to welcome shoppers as they vied for the two top spots.
"Our Orchard Road stakeholders have each played a significant role in enhancing the Christmas experience for our shoppers. We thank the participants of the Best Dressed Building Contest for their tremendous effort in dressing up their facades and adding to the festivities on Orchard Road. The new Voters' Choice award has given the public a bigger share of voice in choosing their favourite building. More importantly, it has enabled us to engage the community on a larger scale," said Mrs May Sng, Chairman, Orchard Road Business Association.
Bringing shoppers into a magical and fairytale-worthy landscape, Orchard Central's (OC) elaborate creation of Christmas Dreamland captured the hearts and imagination of voters. The mall received a total of 4,663 out of 20,323 votes registered on the free @Orchard mobile app.
"We are thankful for the fervent support of our shoppers and fans who have consistently voted Orchard Central (OC) as Best Dressed Christmas Building. More importantly, we are delighted that our magical OC Christmas Dreamland has brought festive joy and cheer to both young and old with its fairytale-like landscape of whimsical fairies, unicorns and elves. This has spurred us to continue exploring other new and exciting concepts to enhance OC's 'Center of New' experience, amidst this fast-moving retail landscape," said Mr Eric Tong, Assistant Director, Retail Business Group, Far East Organization.
Inspired by the magic of Christmas, Paragon's decor marries both tradition and elegance with its swirling gold and red ribbons, and glimmering reindeers. The highlight of its grand Christmas display, which undoubtedly left an indelible impression on the judges, is the magical 40 feet Christmas tree at the main entrance.
"We are very heartened that Paragon is selected the Overall Winner - Judges' Choice. This year, inspired by the magic of Christmas, Paragon is adorned with galloping reindeers on swirling gold and red ribbons, taking our shoppers through to a magical dimension. We are delighted that our decor is well received by the judges and this will certainly inspire us to create more captivating Christmas decor concepts to heighten the festive spirit for our shoppers every year," said Ms Ina Se, Head of Advertising & Promotions, Paragon.
As the Official Card for Christmas on A Great Street this year, MasterCard(R) conferred the special 'Most MasterCard(R) Friendly Mall' award to The Centrepoint for their display of MasterCard-related marketing materials within the mall.
"Congratulations to The CentrePoint for being the 'Most MasterCard Friendly Mall'! We hope that cardholders enjoy the benefits of their clear in-store display of MasterCard promotions while shopping. MasterCard would like to thank all participating malls for creating such a cheerful shopping experience. Online shoppers also have the opportunity to bring cheer to the underprivileged. As part of the Giving Tuesday movement, MasterCard will donate to Community Chest for every transaction made using the MasterPass digital wallet until 16 December," said Ms Deborah Heng, Group Head & General Manager, MasterCard, Singapore.
The exciting contest ended on a high note with 15 lucky voters who voted for the 'Voters' Choice' Winner, walking away with S$200 worth of shopping vouchers each.
The Best Dressed Building Contest is one of the many highlights in the six-week calendar of Christmas on A Great Street 2014.
Shoppers can continue to enjoy Christmas Rewards with the ongoing MasterCard promotion till Thursday 1 January 2015, and be rewarded with a S$30 shopping voucher with a minimum spend of S$300 on a MasterCard Credit / Debit card at participating Orchard Road establishments. Selected shoppers who show a MasterCard same-day charge slip can also look forward to enjoying a limousine ride home from Paragon from 20 - 23 December 2014, with compliments from MasterCard, as part of its Priceless Rewards campaign.
From Thursday 18 December 2014, catch special performances and activities along Orchard Road from 7pm - 11pm. On the evening of 24 December 2014, visitors will be charmed by the voices of carollers from different churches across Singapore and the region at the Mass Carolling on Orchard Road. And, on 25 December 2014, celebrate the 11th anniversary of Celebrate Christmas in Singapore (CCIS) at their Grand Christmas Concert commencing at 7.30pm.
About Orchard Road Business Association
Since 1998, Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) has represented the interests and welfare of businesses along Orchard Road. Through the creation of activities, business development, promotion and marketing, ORBA preserves, promotes, improves and facilitates businesses on Orchard Road.
A four-member office manages ORBA's day-to-day operations, while an executive committee comprising various stakeholders working pro-bono sets its direction and ensures that the interests of ORBA members are advocated.
ORBA also organises memorable events for visitors and tourists to Orchard Road, such as Christmas on A Great Street, Fashion Steps Out and Rev-Up @ Orchard. Christmas on A Great Street, classed as one of Frommer's World's Best Holiday Lights in 2010; Lonely Planet's Top 10 Christmas Markets of the World in 2011; and IDA Achievements - Merit Award Winner 2012, is an annual signature event that heralds the start of the festive season here in Singapore, which many look forward to as an unforgettable experience.
Membership in ORBA is open to Orchard Road stakeholders, as well as non-stakeholders who have an affiliation to lifestyle business along Orchard Road. There are 109 members in the Association, including the owners and management of shopping malls, departmental stores, leading retailers, hotels and restaurants. In 2013, the Association launched the ORBA Privilege Card, the first precinct-centric employee's privilege initiative in Singapore that aims to benefit members' employees and boost the profiles of Orchard Road businesses.
ORBA operates under the auspices of Singapore Tourism Board (STB) with its administration entrusted to an Executive Committee (EXCO) comprising some of Orchard Road's key stakeholders. The EXCO is headed by Mrs May Sng, Executive Vice-President, Retail Property Management, SPH Ltd (Executive Director of Paragon) as Chairman. For more information, please visit www.orchardroad.org/christmas or www.facebook.com/orchardroad.sg.
Official hashtag: #OrchardRdXmas
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