Singapore to Host Asia Pacific Retailers Convention & Exhibition in 2011

Oct. 19, 2009 - PRLog -- Asia’s largest convention and exhibition for the retail industry returns to Southeast Asia

Seoul, 16 October 2009 – The next Asia Pacific Retailers Convention & Exhibition (APRCE) will be held in Singapore from 10 – 13 October 2011.  Themed “Discover, Differentiate, Deliver!”, the 15th edition of Asia’s largest retail convention and exhibition aims to discover new approaches to the latest issues facing the region’s retailers and highlight innovative solutions that can help retailers differentiate themselves from competitors, to deliver greater value to consumers in Asia.

Also known as APRCE 2011, the event was last held in Southeast Asia in 2001, when Jakarta hosted the tenth edition.  Since then, it has been hosted in Christchurch, Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul.  An estimated 2,500 participants from across the 17 member countries/areas of the Federation of Asia-Pacific Retailers Associations (FAPRA) are expected to attend the convention and exhibition. FAPRA members’ selection of Singapore as the host city will bring this key regional event closer to the Southeast Asian retail hubs which have seen phenomenal growth in the past decade. Retailers in this region are expected to grasp this opportunity and make up the majority of the delegates at the event in Singapore.

APRCE 2011 is hosted in association with FAPRA and jointly organised by The Singapore Retailers Association (SRA) and Singapore Exhibition Services (SES).

Key Developments in the Singapore Retail Scene
APRCE 2011 will be the second time that Singapore is hosting the regional convention and exhibition.  The Lion City last hosted the event in 1989.  The milestone 15th edition of the event will arrive in the wake of large-scale developments in the city’s retail landscape.

The iconic Orchard Road shopping belt has received a US$1.1 billion facelift, with investments from the private and public sectors increasing shopping options and diversity of retail concepts.  Brand new malls along the stretch will add 100,000 square metres of retail space to the shopping belt.  Two integrated resorts, Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands will also be completed in 2010, adding to the mix by bringing flagship concept stores featuring top global brands.

In the next two years, over 500,000 square metres of retail space will be added to the market in Singapore, which is 25 per cent more than the total space added over the last 15 years.  This is a reflection of the extraordinary expansion of the retail sector in the island state in recent years.

Choice Convention and Exhibition Destination
Delegates to the convention and exhibition will be visiting a leading Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibition (MICE) city offering a wide, vibrant range of entertainment, nightlife, culture, shopping and food.  Singapore received, for the second consecutive year, the title of “Top International Meeting City” in the Union of International Associations (UIA) 2008 Global Rankings and also retained pole position for 25 years running as Asia’s “Top Country and City for Meetings” in the International Congress Convention Association (ICCA) Global Rankings 2007.

APRCE 2011 will be held at Resorts World at Sentosa, a US$4.7 billion mega-resort that will be home to Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park, the world’s largest oceanarium and a myriad of world-class MICE facilities.  To be opened in early 2010, the spanking development is located on the resort island of Sentosa.  Sentosa is connected to mainland Singapore by road and is a mere 25 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from the commercial and shopping districts.

“We are truly honoured to be chosen to host APRCE 2011.  The event will introduce best practices and innovative use of technologies to the growing retail industry in Asia, which is projected to see total retail sales reach US$5.3 trillion by 2013.  It will continue to play a critical role in providing members with the competitive advantage in the increasingly globalised retail market place,” said Dato’ Dr Jannie Tay, APRCE 2011 Convention Chairperson and President of Singapore Retail Association.

APRCE 2011 is supported by The Singapore Tourism Board.

For the latest updates, please visit www.aprce2011.org.

The 15th APRCE 2011

Date      : 10 – 13 October 2011
Venue      : Resorts World @ Sentosa, Singapore

To pre-register or reserve a copy of the convention programme, please email aprce@sra.org.sg.
Early Bird Registration opens in 2010.

About The Federation of Asia-pacific Retailers Associations
The Federation of Asia-pacific Retailers Associations (FAPRA) was founded in 1989. Its has implemented its activities and developed itself with the aim of discussing issues shared in the region, promote information exchange and friendship, thereby contributing to the development of commerce, the improvement of retailers’ status and the improvement of citizens’ lives in the region.

About Singapore Retailers Association
Singapore Retailers Association (SRA) was founded in 1977, by 10 leading retailers and is the non-profit, independent/non-governmental retail trade body in Singapore, funded entirely by the private sector.  The Association is the annual organiser of the Great Singapore Sale, the Singapore Retail Industry Conference, and the Retail Industry Awards & Scholarships. The SRA is also a founding member of the Federation of Asia Pacific Retailer Associations (FAPRA), itself comprising 17 national associations across the Asia-Pacific region; all the members are the most authoritative and representative associations for the retail industries of their respective countries.  SRA's own membership includes leading retailers from Singapore and the region, together with key suppliers of goods and services to the retail industry. The SRA presently has over 300 companies within its membership, many of which are reputable household names in the retail and retail-related businesses. Membership is open to all retailers, large and small.  

About Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd
Set up in 1976, Singapore Exhibition Services (SES) has established itself as one of the most innovative and respected exhibition and conference organisers in Asia.  A pioneer in the Singapore exhibition industry, SES events have served as important platforms for companies aiming to forge new business contacts in Asia.  With a portfolio of international tradeshows already serving the Communications, Engineering, Machinery and Lifestyle industries, SES continues to develop new events to meet market needs.  SES events consistently attract a high level of overseas participation with foreign exhibitors accounting for almost 80% of the show floor. SES is a member of Allworld Exhibitions Alliance, a global network with over 50 offices worldwide. For more information, please visit www.sesallworld.com.


Media enquiries:
John Hirst
Assistant Director
Industry and International Affairs
Tel: (65) 6295 2622
Fax: (65) 6295 2722
Email: john@sra.org.sg

Eric Yum
PR Manager
Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd
Tel: (65) 6233 6632
Fax: (65) 6272 2962
Email: ey@sesallworld.com

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Set up in 1976, Singapore Exhibition Services (SES) has established itself as one of the most innovative and respected exhibition and conference organisers in Asia.