CommunicAsia opens with over 2,000 exhibitors
By Raymond Lau
More than 2,000 players from the technology and telecommunications sectors are descending this week on Singapore for CommunicAsia, one of the largest annual trade fairs showcasing the latest information and communication technologies (ICT).
In this year's edition, 2,061 participating exhibitors from 59 countries are seeking to break into the Asia Pacific market, up from 1,305 exhibitors from 52 countries in the event last year.
Among the participants, over 200 are Singaporean enterprises that aim to increase awareness of their products and strike potential partnerships with other companies, both local and overseas. These businesses include familiar names such as Aztech Technologies and ST Electronics.
CommunicAsia, which runs this year from 21 to 24 June, is expected to showcase a myriad of key and emerging technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), next-generation mobile broadband (4G) and cashless mobile payment systems.
This year's show has also attracted its fair share of new exhibitors. Jason Wang, vice president of FiberHome International Technology, who is participating for the first time this year, sees the show as "a golden opportunity" for companies both to display their own innovations and to keep track of market trends.
Return exhibitors are also optimistic about the show. Cindy Zuelsdorf from Ensemble Designs, which has been participating in CommunicAsia since the 1980s, said it is a worthwhile experience. "We get to talk to customers from all over the region, and they do ask very technical questions," she said.
The four-day event will feature conferences, summits and exhibitions across two locations — Suntec Convention Centre and Marina Bay Sands Expo — taking up a total of 55,200 square metres of floor space.
Previously, the show was held at Singapore Expo, but the decision to move the show to a more central location this year was said to be intended to allow participants to enjoy a wider range of services and amenities.
Rebecca Wong, account manager at the show's PR agency, Manning Selvage and Lee (MSL), said, "Many companies are not even interested in exhibiting, but conduct their deals behind closed doors in hospitality suites."
Such suites and private rooms are available in abundance at Marina Bay Sands, giving participants more business options, it has been noted.
As CommunicAsia is a trade show, only professionals from the relevant industries are allowed admission. Interested visitors who did not pre-register online may do so on-location at Marina Bay Sands on show days with their business cards.
