Innovative tech trade show for firms to show their wares

SINGAPORE — Technology companies can look forward to a new platform to showcase their products come 2015, when MediaCorp and the Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) hold the Republic’s first innovative technology trade show, dubbed The Stage.

Similar to international trade shows such as International CES in America, Computex in Taiwan, or Germany’s IFA, The Stage has one major difference: It aims to be more experiential, said Mr Guillaume Sachet, Head of Strategic Planning for MediaCorp. Mr Sachet said the three-day show will not be like others where exhibitors crowd to showcase their products. It would instead be broken up into six themed areas: The Main Stage, Future Stars, Newcomers, Showtime, The Podium, and the Walk of Fame.

For example, Future Stars will showcase start-ups, while Showtime will have a headline concert featuring as-yet-unconfirmed artistes. The showcases are aimed at demonstrating how technology can benefit and enhance one’s life.

To be held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, The Stage could provide a meeting place for innovators and capital fund managers looking for the next big thing.

SiTF Chairman Eddie Chau said: “We will have a Start-Up pavilion so start-ups who would like to showcase their technologies, look for funding, or future funding, or network with the (venture capitalists) can do so.”

The Stage will also be a hotbed of innovation, said potential exhibitors.

Mr Ng Chee Soon, President and Managing Director, Sennheiser Electronics Asia said: “We see an interesting opportunity because traditionally we launch products in CES, in IFA, and we launch products in Asia-Pacific but in a more fragmented manner ... the idea of having a platform for us to present a broader portfolio of products to the larger audience for the entire Asia-Pacific sounds very compelling to me.”

Mr Chau added: “Singapore as a whole in the last few years has attracted a lot of investors. I personally also have a fund called TNF Ventures, where we have invested in nine start-ups since May last year. Every one is about US$500,000 (S$640,000). Do you think it’s vibrant? Not too bad, right? Look at Viki. It sold, right? Singapore company. Will it happen in Singapore? Absolutely.”