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First Day of Sea Asia 2009 Breaks Attendance Record – More than 5,000 arrive for opening of major maritime conference and exhibition
Wednesday April 22, 2009
Flying in the face of the economic downturn, more than 5,000 people crowded into the exhibition halls at Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre yesterday for the first day of SEA ASIA 2009, Singapore’s iconic event for the maritime industries in and beyond the region.
Official figures this morning revealed that 5,170 people attended on day one – which means Sea Asia 2009 has again exceeded the co-organisers expectations and is well on track to surpassing the total participation at the inaugural Sea Asia in 2007.
The number comprised on-day visitors, conference delegates, speakers, exhibitors and media representatives.
Andrew Callaghan, Global Sales Director for Sea Asia 2009 co-organiser Seatrade, said “As co-organiser, we are delighted with this start to the event. The sentiment from visitors and speakers yesterday was that the Asian Voice In World Shipping continues to grow in significance despite the recession.
“As the event this year is concerned with how the maritime sectors are dealing with the current economic situation, the level of support and enthusiasm not only shows how SEA ASIA has been embraced as a vital platform for business opportunities, it also clearly demonstrates the shipping industry’s robust, adaptable nature and its ability to weather even the most severe downturn.”
Today’s highlights at Sea Asia include the third in a trilogy of conference sessions focusing on The Asian Voice In World Shipping, with the offshore markets in the spotlight, plus a comprehensive session devoted to Finance for Asian Shipping which will deal with, among other key issues, the impact of the credit crunch on availability and cost of finance for shipowners building new vessels.
Keppel Offshore & Marine, one of the mainstays of the Singapore shipping community, will also host the Official Reception later in the day.
ENDS
ABOUT SEATRADE
For over 30 years, Seatrade has been a leading maritime publisher and international events organiser. Headaquartered in UK, Seatrade publishes Seatrade magazine and Seatrade Cruise Review plus bespoke supplements.
Seatrade’s family of conferences and exhibitions has grown in strength and number over the years. Its signature exhibition and conference event in this region, SEA ASIA (co-organised with the Singapore Maritime Foundation), takes place once every two years.
With an increasing presence in Asia, Seatrade opened a Representative Office in Singapore in 2006.For more information about Seatrade’s evolving portfolio of publications and events, visit www.seatrade-global.com.
ABOUT SMF
The Singapore Maritime Foundation is a private sector-led organisation established to develop and promote Singapore as an International Maritime Centre (IMC).
Established in 2004, the Foundation seeks to work in partnership with the different sectors of the maritime industry to advance the maritime interests of Singapore through collaborations and events. Some of the notable projects include the inaugural collaboration with Seatrade, Sea Asia, the iconic maritime event which has received overwhelming response from the industry players, both in Singapore and overseas, the MaritimeONE (Outreach Network) an initiative that seeks to heighten awareness of the maritime industry, the maritime professionals, the exciting career opportunities and boost recruitment into this booming industry. For details, visit www.smf.com.sg
For more information, please contact Helix Media, public relations consultants to Seatrade for SEA ASIA 2009.
Edward Ion: +65 6294 8500
Mobile: +65 9111 6871
Email: edward.ion@helixmedia.asia
Website: www.helixmedia.asia
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