Prestataires  :: PALME Asia impresses with technology & global reach

Wednesday, August 06, 2008 - 09:56 PM

   Exhibitors at the recent PALME Asia 2008, the region’s only dedicated trade show for the rapidly developing professional audio visual, lighting and entertainment sectors, were overwhelmed by the quality of local, regional and international visitors that attended the event.

The three-day show which took place at the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre is made up of two distinctive vertical events, Install Asia which accommodates the increasing demand for AV technology, systems integration and solutions and new and re-branded Event 360 Asia which now provides a suitable platform for the region’s booming events industry.



In total, the event attracted 4,660 trade visitors with a total attendance/revisits of  8,166 from more than 33 different countries throughout SE Asia and beyond, which account for a 29% increase in visitorship over the previous event.   Colin Waters, CEO of TMB, said, “PALME Asia is the best networking show in Asia, with very good quality of visitors. We have secured both immediate and long term business at this year's event.”



Concurring with Waters, Joehan Tohkingkeo, Managing Director, CSI Communications Specialties Pte Ltd added, “We are pleased with the quality of visitors at PALME Asia especially the opportunity to meet a group of new potential customers such as churches whom we might not have met at other similar shows”



According to Rosalind Ng, Managing Director (Asia) IIR Exhibitions, the organisers of PALME Asia, one of the reasons for the impressive turnout was the plethora of the latest technological products on show that are undoubtedly driving this vibrant industry in terms of size, speed and quality.



“Industry professionals in Asia would normally have to go to Europe or the US to see the latest technological advances. For the very first time, cutting edge solutions were on view here at PALME Asia. For example, Wireless Solutions Sweden demonstrated the world’s first wireless DMX Transmitter.”



In total over 200 companies were represented from throughout the ASEAN region, including Singapore, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia and Hong Kong as well as an impressive contingent of international exhibitors from USA, Italy, Germany, UK, France, Denmark & Australia.



Meanwhile over at the Event 360 Asia Conference expert speakers were also very much looking to the future of the burgeoning events industry.



Bill O’Toole, Association Director Project Management Graduate Programme, at the University of Sydney who has been creating and organising international events for over 20 years explained that the events industry was now coming of age and that a common set of international guidelines should be created and employed. “The events industry needs to adopt and adapt to a series of quality guidelines within a framework that will produce measurable international industry best practice.”  



Throughout SE Asia, the events industry is witnessing an unprecedented boom in particular, with hospitality and leisure infrastructure spending running into trillions of dollars. Immense growth of that nature needs industry standards.



Another expert speaker at the 360 Conference, American, Julia Rutherford Silvers, CSEP, Event Management Authority of the U.S. put it in simple terms, “The end-game is quality. For example, if a government wants to issue operating licences to event organisers, what parameters are taken into consideration? Credentials and competencies must be benchmarked against internationally agreed quality guidelines.”



With event management professionals looking ahead and pro audio and lighting products, breaking technological barriers, it was somewhat appropriate that PALME Asia should be celebrating its 20th anniversary.



“PALME Asia, formerly known as PALA has been supporting the events and pro audio lighting industry for 20 years now. Given the positive feedback we have received from some of the biggest brands in the business, it is fair to say that PALME Asia has an exciting future and we are looking forward to the next 20 years,” stated Ng.



For more details please log on to www.palme-asia.com