Singapore’s upcoming Think Big 2025 brings leaders together to navigate economic uncertainty

As the global economy grapples with trade tensions, inflationary pressures, and rapid technological change, businesses are being challenged to adapt to an increasingly unpredictable environment. Against this backdrop, the Think Big Leadership Business Series 2025, co-organised by Canon Singapore and Mediacorp, will take place on 22 and 23 October at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay Singapore. This year’s theme, “Sailing Through a Sea of Uncertainty: Building a Resilience-Ready Toolkit to Thrive in an Unpredictable Future,” underscores the need for agility and preparedness in the face of ongoing disruption.

First launched by Canon in 2010, the Think Big series brings together business leaders, policymakers, and academics to exchange perspectives on emerging challenges and opportunities. The 2025 edition will cover topics ranging from the macroeconomic impact of trade wars and tariffs to the integration of artificial intelligence across industries.

The event comes at a time when Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has projected slower growth in the latter half of 2025, citing continued trade frictions and geopolitical uncertainties affecting outward-facing sectors. Think Big 2025 aims to provide insights and practical approaches for companies to strengthen their resilience amid these conditions.

Speakers from the Singapore Business Federation, AI Singapore, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME), and Singapore Polytechnic will discuss a range of issues including economic volatility, digital transformation, and opportunities arising from the Singapore–Malaysia Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

“The ongoing global trade reconfiguration and its ripple effects on the existing supply chain ecosystems which businesses have relied on, have forced many to face great levels of uncertainty and disruption,” said Ang Yuit, President of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME).

“For many SMEs, this has meant prioritising cash flow and shelving expansion plans as they try to adjust. In this era of change, companies must proactively seek out new growth opportunities — whether it is restructuring their business by embracing new technologies like AI or by exploring new markets in economic corridors closer to home, such as the Johor-Singapore SEZ.”

This year’s series will also include a Mandarin-language seminar, continuing efforts to engage a broader audience across the region’s business community.

Alongside the talks and panel discussions, Canon will present the Canon Solutions Showcase, an immersive exhibition showcasing a replica city, referred to as an AI city. The showcase will highlight practical technology applications designed to improve productivity and operational efficiency across different work settings.

At the Hybrid Central Park, attendees can explore Canon’s remote working solutions, including devices equipped with AI noise cancellation and tools for remote document access, approval, and data extraction. In the Central Business District zone, Canon will introduce the latest imageFORCE multi-function devices and the Antelope Generative AI document management solution, aimed at improving workflow management and information security.

“2025 has been marked by unprecedented global uncertainty and rapid technological advancement, making resilience more crucial than ever for businesses across Asia,” said Norihiro Katagiri, Senior Vice President, Regional Digital Printing and Business Solution Operations, Canon Singapore.

“With a diverse lineup of speakers and a focus on actionable solutions, we believe that this event will equip business leaders with the insights and tools needed to navigate the complexities of 2025 and emerge stronger for the future of work.”