SES sees turnaround with major '04 shows

By Patricia Wee SINGAPORE Positive response to Singapore Exhibition Services' (SES) two major shows, Food&HotelAsia2004 (FHA2004) and Commu-nicAsia2004, suggests the exhibitions industry is recovering at last. FHA2004 was expected to register an eight per cent increase in the number of exhibiting companies over the previous event. Touted as Asia's largest international food and hospitality event, FHA2004 occupied six halls of Singapore Expo from April 20 to 23. SES project director (lifestyle events), Ben Wong said: "The numbers this year will exceed those of the last show, be it in terms of exhibiting companies or trade visitors." FHA2004 showcased 2,800 exhibitors from over 60 countries, more than 40 group pavilions and over 46,000 attendees. The inaugural FHA Imperial Challenge, a Chinese gourmet cuisine competition, gathered top Chinese chefs from around the world. The debut of FHA2004: Bakery World Cup @ BakeryAsia saw the winner of this competition represent Asia in the finals of Bakery World Cup in Paris in 2005. CommunicAsia2004, held in conjunction with BroadcastAsia2004 at Singapore Expo, runs from June 15 to 18, and is expected to beat the 2002 event, which drew 2,089 exhibitors. The 2003 event was cancelled due to Sars. SES project director for communications events Ho Koon Leong said: "With Asia Pacific back on track to economic recovery, companies will be participating in trade shows a lot more actively this year." The organiser has launched a new programme, EnterpriseIT, which caters to companies delivering IT solutions in system integration, e-learning, data warehousing, storage systems, and outsourcing services.