Business
CommunicAsia2000: Record turnout surpasses organizers expectations
SINGAPORE, 12 June 2001 -- Over four days, CommunicAsia2000 drew a record number of more than 46,000 visitors, an increaseof 40% over its last showing. The percentage of overseas visitors was about 34% which works out to over 15,000foreign visitors.
SINGAPORE, 12 June 2001 -- Over four days, CommunicAsia2000 drew a record number of more than 46,000 visitors, an increase
of 40% over its last showing. The percentage of overseas visitors was about 34% which works out to over 15,000
foreign visitors.
Gadgets and gizmos were bountiful with WAP and bluetooth-enabled devices stealing the show. From Motorola's mobile watch phone, to Philip's Xenium with Voice Navigation, and NTT DoCoMo's i-mode compatible car navigation system to Ericsson's first GPRS phone with Bluetooth, all new technology seemed to point towards a wireless world.
At its Opening Ceremony officiated by Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Tony Tan, the IDA took the opportunity to unveil the S$1.5 billion eGovernment Action Plan. The plan, expected to be executed over the next three years, will help the government drive the nation in the digital economy.
On the conference front, CommunicAsia successfully delivered the CommunicAsia Summit, attended by 600 speakers and delegates. The four high level, top quality specialist conferences - MobileCommAsia2000, NetworkAsia2000, eBiz2000 and Asia Pacific Satellite Communications2000 took place between 7 and 9 June.
Expectations for year 2001
According to Mr Stephen Tan, Managing Director of Singapore Exhibition Services, plans for next year are currently underway. As the center has been filled to maximum capacity this year, the organisers are looking at various means to accommodate growth of this exhibition, which has a potential to grow by at least 30%.
"One of the ways to fit in more companies as well as the anticipated growth of existing exhibitors is to build airconditioned tents on the adjoining plot of land. Also, by next year, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system will be ready and will help a great deal," added Mr. Tan.
Already, many exhibitors have placed reservations for the 2001 show. Amongst the market leaders who have put in "Early Bird" bookings are Lucent, Ericsson, NTT DoCoMo, Nokia, Nortel Networks, Panasonic, Motorola, Compaq, MCI WorldCom and Telstra.
Next year, CommunicAsia with MobileCommAsia, NetworkAsia, eBiz, CableSat and BroadcastAsia will be held, at the Singapore Expo, between 19 and 22 June 2001.
A show comparable to the best
According to Mr J Cornu, director of Alcatel, "The show is comparable to the best shows in the world such as Geneva Telecom and CeBit. The standards are very high - of world class, making our very high investment well worth it."
Visiting Thai Deputy Minister for Commerce, Mr Goanpot Asvinvichit, who attended the exhibition with a delegation of senior government officials said, "I find the array of exhibits very impressive. I'm here to understand more about the latest infocommunications technology that can be incorporated to drive Thailand further in the new economy."
Said Mr Stephen Tan, "It was a fantastic show, everyone was in extremely high spirits. The huge turnout of visitors - government officials, VIPs, CEOs and other top level management industry executives enabled business to be transacted at a very high level. The outcome was way above our expectations."
Gadgets and gizmos were bountiful with WAP and bluetooth-enabled devices stealing the show. From Motorola's mobile watch phone, to Philip's Xenium with Voice Navigation, and NTT DoCoMo's i-mode compatible car navigation system to Ericsson's first GPRS phone with Bluetooth, all new technology seemed to point towards a wireless world.
At its Opening Ceremony officiated by Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Tony Tan, the IDA took the opportunity to unveil the S$1.5 billion eGovernment Action Plan. The plan, expected to be executed over the next three years, will help the government drive the nation in the digital economy.
On the conference front, CommunicAsia successfully delivered the CommunicAsia Summit, attended by 600 speakers and delegates. The four high level, top quality specialist conferences - MobileCommAsia2000, NetworkAsia2000, eBiz2000 and Asia Pacific Satellite Communications2000 took place between 7 and 9 June.
Expectations for year 2001
According to Mr Stephen Tan, Managing Director of Singapore Exhibition Services, plans for next year are currently underway. As the center has been filled to maximum capacity this year, the organisers are looking at various means to accommodate growth of this exhibition, which has a potential to grow by at least 30%.
"One of the ways to fit in more companies as well as the anticipated growth of existing exhibitors is to build airconditioned tents on the adjoining plot of land. Also, by next year, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system will be ready and will help a great deal," added Mr. Tan.
"The growth of the exhibition is a true reflection of the renewed optimism felt throughout the industry, and has enabled innumerable networking and business opportunities."
- Mr Leong Keng Thai
Deputy CEO and Director General
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA)
Already, many exhibitors have placed reservations for the 2001 show. Amongst the market leaders who have put in "Early Bird" bookings are Lucent, Ericsson, NTT DoCoMo, Nokia, Nortel Networks, Panasonic, Motorola, Compaq, MCI WorldCom and Telstra.
Next year, CommunicAsia with MobileCommAsia, NetworkAsia, eBiz, CableSat and BroadcastAsia will be held, at the Singapore Expo, between 19 and 22 June 2001.
A show comparable to the best
According to Mr J Cornu, director of Alcatel, "The show is comparable to the best shows in the world such as Geneva Telecom and CeBit. The standards are very high - of world class, making our very high investment well worth it."
Visiting Thai Deputy Minister for Commerce, Mr Goanpot Asvinvichit, who attended the exhibition with a delegation of senior government officials said, "I find the array of exhibits very impressive. I'm here to understand more about the latest infocommunications technology that can be incorporated to drive Thailand further in the new economy."
Said Mr Stephen Tan, "It was a fantastic show, everyone was in extremely high spirits. The huge turnout of visitors - government officials, VIPs, CEOs and other top level management industry executives enabled business to be transacted at a very high level. The outcome was way above our expectations."