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AQUARAMA 2009: GLITTERING SUCCESS IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY With so much gloom and doom about, the organisers of Aquarama 2009 (UBM Asia Trade Fairs Pte. Ltd.), could have been
forgiven if they were to have approached this year’s event with some trepidation. Would, for example overseas trade
representatives travel all the way to Singapore , despite the many attractions that Aquarama offers? Would overseas exhibitors
turn their back on the event? Would, as a result, the exhibitors that remained be disappointed with the turnout? Would…?
They needn’t have worried…
True, both the total exhibition space
and the attendance were slightly down on 2007, but, with a little over 9,000 sq m of the floor taken up, and with more than
4,300 trade visitors, Aquarama 2009 proved, beyond any shadow of doubt, a tremendous success in the face of global adversity.
The public, too, turned out in large numbers, with no fewer than 14,520 attending the show during the 11/2 days that it was
open to the general public, a figure that far surpassed expectations.
Interestingly, and encouragingly, the trade visitor mix showed that the economic downturn had not
put off overseas visitors, since no fewer than 65% of the total came from outside Singapore . Perhaps a little surprisingly,
but hugely satisfying for the organisers, these overseas visitors came from 80 countries, as compared to 68 in 2007. Aquarama’s
pulling power, thus, remains as strong as ever, or perhaps even stronger. Equally positive was the exhibitor breakdown, with
22 countries being represented among the 158 exhibiting companies.
Feedback from this year’s exhibitors was also uplifting, with the vast majority reporting
brisk business throughout the four days. Exhibitors further (repeatedly) reported that they were particularly impressed with
the quality of the trade visitors, this being an Aquarama trademark. The ‘good feel’ factor among the exhibitors
was such that, by the end of the show, around 40% had already re-signed for 2011, despite the fact that no rapid solution
to the global crisis is foreseen.
During
the Opening Ceremony, the Guest of Honour, Dr. Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Parliamentary Secretary for National Development,
had stressed the fact that the local ornamental aquatic industry was “…a resilient one (that was) doing relatively
well despite the global economic downturn.” He felt confident that “with a strong track record, passionate and
determined industry players…the industry will continue to grow from strength to strength.”
Mr. Jime Essink, President and Chief Executive Officer of UBM
Asia, was confident that, irrespective of the situation, Aquarama 2009 was fully expected to be a “spectacularly glittering”
affair, thanks to the unflinching support the event enjoys worldwide.
Dr. Gerald Bassleer, President of Ornamental Fish International, felt that it was Aquarama’s
undisputed importance that had led his organisation to choose the event to hold a ground-breaking International Conference
on Invasive Alien Species to be addressed and attended by leading experts in the field from all over the world.
For his part, Kenny The Fish, Chairman of the Ornamental Fish
Business Cluster, once more emphasised the resilience and hardiness of the ornamental aquatic industry, one with “a
niche appeal that pervades geographical boundaries and demographic definitions”. Further, he felt that, “When
times are uncertain…we need to demonstrate unwavering confidence because it will help us to ride out the waves.”
He therefore applauded UBM Asia “for their confidence and commitment” and called on the industry “to rally
round them with our support.”
It
was, without doubt, this longstanding unwavering support from every corner of the globe that was largely responsible for this
year’s confidence-boosting success. In the words of Linda Tan, Head of Events (Aquatics & Paper) at UMB Asia, “All
along, we have been receiving tremendous encouragement from our international and national supporters. However, until the
show got under way, we didn’t really know whether this support would translate into attendances and sales for our exhibitors.
It is therefore hugely uplifting for us all to see that our combined efforts, under very difficult operating conditions, have
resulted in such an attractive, busy and successful show for all parties. We are now looking forward to the new challenges
that Aquarama 2011 will bring with great optimism.”
NOTE: Full
details of Aquarama 2011 – Incorporating Pet Asia – which will be held at Suntec Singapore on 26-29 May, 2011,
may be obtained from the event’s website: www.aquarama.com.sg or by contacting: Linda Tan, Head of Events
at linda_tan@cmpasia.com.sg, Doris Woo, Sales Manager, at doris_woo@cmpasia.com.sg, or Esther See, Project Co-ordinator at esther_see@cmpasia.com.sg or visit our website at www.aquarama.com.sg.
UBM ASIA TRADE FAIRS PTE
LTD No. 3 Pickering Street #02-48 China Square Central \Singapore 048660
Tel: +65 65920889
Fax: +65 64386090
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