Remaining optimistic for our industry's key events

Singapore has always prided itself on a thriving media and communications industry that is heavily backed by the government. It has recently promised a SG$250 million boost for the sector that has been enjoying steady growth. On 16th June, the satellite, telecommunication and broadcast industries will converge on the city for the annual CommunicAsia and BroadcastAsia event. The show is usually very impressive. It is spread over several halls and two huge exhibition centres at Singapore Expo. The question is will the event be the same vibrant, buzzing, truly global show that is normally is? Why do I ask this question? The recession. Will the global economic downturn hit Singapore this year?

The Infocomm industry’s strength in Asia is still evident even as a global recession takes hold. In many instances, these companies are out-performing the rest of the economy. IDC, the global intelligence firm, predicts that the combined telecom services market of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand to reach US$35.7 billion in 2009, which is 10% higher than its 2008 performance.

Singapore Exhibition Services, the CommunicAsia and BroadcastAsia organisers are predicting another successful show despite the difficult economic times we now find ourselves in the midst of. They expect around 2,000 companies to exhibit from 65 countries and regions worldwide demonstrating the strong wish that they have to expand their infocomm businesses into the region and to take advantage of the emerging markets located in Asia. It is very true that enterprises are looking to Asia as a priority in the expansion plans and those that I have spoken to recently tell me that they will not be putting these plans on the backburner.

Stephen Tan, Chief Executive of Singapore Exhibition Services, the CommunicAsia organisers said: "The global gloom has accentuated the gleaming potential in Asia and increased the urgency in which international companies are moving into the continent. CommunicAsia and BroadcastAsia’s established reputation and repeated ability to attract trade professionals from across the Asia Pacific region makes the shows the first choice for exhibiting companies, especially in the current environment of tighter budgets."

However, there are some companies that have decided to be cautious this year. Perhaps they will scale down their stands instead of going for the two storeys, impressive structures they would normally opt for. Perhaps they will take less staff or perhaps they will decide not to exhibit but to simply send representatives to cover the show floor instead.

CommunicAsia and BroadcastAsia are incredibly important events for our industry because they give an insight into what is going in this crucial region in terms of trends and new developments. The show also gives the opportunity for people to meet and network face-to-face instead of over email, phone and video conferences. Let’s hope that the recession will not make a significant impact on a show that draws global interest and focuses on the heart of what our industry is all about – innovation.

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