Koelnmesse, one of the world’s largest trade fair organizers with a string of successful events to its name is proud to announce that it will launch the first specialized imaging and photography show in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region called “Imaging Expo Singapore 2007” in conjunction with the “Photo Imaging X-change 2007.” The event will be held on November 2 to 4, 2007, and acts as a trade and educational platform that merges art with the technology of imaging and photography.

With the focus on communicating the latest trends and technology in imaging and photography for the region, Imaging Expo Singapore is a trade fair comprising of 8,000 square meters of exhibition space at the Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The trade fair will provide a launching pad for major brands into the Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Visitors for the exhibition include trade visitors, dealers, studio owners, publishing professionals, professional photographers, and photography and videography enthusiasts. 150 international and local exhibitors are expected to gather in Singapore and meet with 4,000 visitors from the region and 26,000 visitors from Singapore.

PIX, the Photo Imaging X-change, is the cutting-edge interactive event which is an essential add-on to the trade fair, Imaging Expo Singapore. PIX is a program of conferences, seminars and classes for anyone interested in imaging and photography. The multi-tracked conference features business-related seminars with key members of the photo and imaging industries, classes by renowned photographers, photography workshops tailored for different skill levels and niches, photo safaris to iconic spots in Singapore, photo competitions, photo salons and photographer awards. There will also be a Photo Editors & Chief Photographers Summit where world-renowned photographers will be on-hand to share their expertise and experience.

Visitors to the Imaging Expo Singapore and the Photo Imaging X-change will get an overview of the imaging market with a chance to learn and use the latest equipment as well as receive customized information on business improvement and professional photography techniques.

Asia Pacific Vice President of Koelnmesse, Mr. Michael Dreyer says, “The popularity of digital imaging and the tools required to achieve exceptional images has exploded worldwide as seen in the increased demand for high-end DSLR cameras. We recognized the need for a professional imaging event in the region, and Singapore was the natural choice–due to its strategic location in the region, availability of world-class infrastructure and facilities, as well as the high level of technology acceptance. In addition, the feedback from the industry was very positive for such an event, matched by our market research.”

A forecast report by IDC (subsidiary of IDG – International Data Group) predicts that the market for digital cameras in Asia Pacific is growing quickly, and by 2010 will account for 40% of worldwide digital camera shipments, out of a total of 111 million digital cameras. This matches the statistics from In-Stat which gave a value of US$7.3 billion for the Asia Pacific digital camera market in 2009.

“The decision to anchor Imaging Expo Singapore and the PHoto Imaging X-change 2007 demonstrates Koelnmesse’s confidence in Singapore as a staging venue, as well as the group’s optimistic outlook of the growth potential of both the Electronics and ICT industry which encompasses the digital media sector in the region. The Electronics and ICT clusters are two of the strategic clusters that the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau, a group of the Singapore Tourism Board is being actively cultivated, and the launch of this event in Singapore, is a testament to our efforts in attracting, creating and growing business events in these clusters. Imaging Expo Singapore and the Photo Imaging X-change 2007 will definitely augment our calendar of major BTMICE events,” said Mr. Shaun Goh, Director, Strategic Clusters II, Business Travel and MICE Group, Singapore Tourism Board.

“With Imaging Expo Singapore and Photo Imaging X-change 2007 expected to attract 150 exhibitors, 4,000 visitors, and the fact that it can leverage its unique selling points as having the only conference program for trade professionals and end-users in the Southeast and the Pacific region to exchange their expertise and knowledge in the fileds of imaging and photography, this event strengthens our efforts to establish Singapore as a global business events hub,” he added.

Being part of the Koelnmesse Group, the Koelnmesse subsidiary based in Singapore, which manages Koelnmesse international business operations in Asia Pacific, will be responsible for all the preparations and the on-site management of the event. Imaging Expo singapore and the Photo Imaging X-change 2007 is set to become Southeast Asia and the Pacific’s most important annual trade fair for the photographic and imaging industries, bringing together people who shape and drive the imaging industry as well as opportunities to penetrate the markets emerging from digital technology’s impact. This event is modeled after the prestigious Photokina in Cologne, Germany, the world’s most important imaging and photography trade fair which showcased 1,579 exhibitors and drew over 162,000 visitors from 157 countries last year.

The big names from the imaging and photography sector were all present at the trade fair, including Casio, Canon, Epson, Fuji, Hewlett-Packard Kodak, Leica, Nikon, Nokia, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung and Sony. Among the major first-time exhibitors were Apple (maker of Aperture, the professional software for digital photographic imaging post-production workflow), and CeWe Color (Europe’s largest photo-finisher).

Koelnmesse also organizes Imaging Expo/Interphoto Shanghai, an imaging trade show that is customized for companies entering into the Chinese market. These series of events represent global competence in imaging trade fairs that Koelnmesse is organizing for different geographic markets around the world.

The contact persons for the Imaging Expo Singapore and the Photo Imaging X-change 2007 are:

Hazel Chan
Koelnmesse Pte Ltd
+ 65 6 396 7180
h.chan@koelnmesse.com.sg

Supriya Addanki
Priority Consultants
+ 65 6 338 1006
supriya@priorityconsultants.com

Sherina Chan
Manager
BTMICE & Services Communications Department
Communications Division
Singapore Tourism Board
DID + 65 6 831 3476
Mobile + 65 9 099 1255
Fax + 65 6 734 9102
Email sherina_chan@stb.gov.sg

For more information, visit the official website at www.imaging-expo-singapore.com.

About the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau

The Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB), a group of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), is the lead government agency for the business events sector in Singapore. Its mission is to champion business travel and business events as key drivers of the tourism sector and enables for cluster growth in Singapore. It also assists business event organizers, corporations and associations by providing comprehensive and impartial information on Singapore’s MICE facilities, incentive venues and industry partners. The SECB is a member of the Best Cities Global Alliance, the world’s first and only convention bureau alliance with eight partners in five continents.

About the Singapore Tourism Board

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is an economic development agency for one of the Singapore’s key service sectors which is tourism. The mission of the Board is to develop and champion tourism and build this sector into a key driver of economic growth for Singapore. The STB aims to differentiate and market Singapore as a memorable destination through the proliferation of the tourism branding, “ Uniquely Singapore.” For more information, please visit www.stb.gov.sg.

Posted by Dominique James on 2007-10-19 04:51:46

Tagged: , PIX , Photo Imaging Exchange , Imaging Expo Singapore , Koelnmesse , Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Center , Photography , Trade Fair , Conference