(13 December 2006 10:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Organisers for Broadcast Asia 2007 have revealed that the show will increase its presence for Comgraphics and Animation 2007.

Over 80 per cent of exhibition space has already been booked, testament to the event’s relevance and growing importance of the Broadcasting and Animation industries in Asia, asserts an official release.

Singapore Exhibition Services chief executive Stephen Tan said, "This is in keeping with market trends and especially across Asia, where the animation industry is set to grow to epic proportions."

For the first time in its 12-year history, Broadcast Asia 2007, will dedicate extra floor space to accommodate this new focus area. In addition, the show floor at ComGraphics and Animation 2007 will be divided into four distinct physical areas.

At the recruitment zone, aspiring digital artists can speak to the recruiters looking to hire talented individuals for their company, and those wishing to embark on an education in this area can obtain information from various leading educational institutions.

At the interactive zone, visitors can get up close with the latest technologies on offer, while at the exhibitors’ tech talk zone, visitors can listen in to exhibitors who will be sharing insights and knowledge on CGI and Interactive Digital Media techniques and trends in a 45 minute presentation.

As with previous years, the show will also include an Animation Screening and Digital Art Gallery, where visitors can watch screenings of selected animation entries and top-line award winning productions by other professional artists.

Conference and artist workshops will also be held alongside the exhibition. The event will also be the venue to host the annual Comgraph Competition, organised by ACM Siggraph Singapore.

Other improvements at Broadcast Asia 2007 include gentler hall lighting and an enhanced registration process where visitors only need to register once to access both CommunicAsia 2007 and Broadcast Asia 2007 halls.

"We’ve listened to feedback from exhibitors and visitors and have taken steps to improve their overall experience at BroadcastAsia. With less light coming into the halls, products that are receptive to glare can be demonstrated with improved clarity, this would be closer to the environment found in production studios or editing rooms, where lighting tends to be a lot milder. A one-time registration also allows faster and easier movement of people between halls," added Tan.

Broadcast Asia 2007 will be held from 19 to 22 June 2007 and incorporates Professional Audio Technology 2007. The event is held in conjunction with ComGraphics and Animation 2007, Interactive DME, CommunicAsia 2007 and Enterprise IT 2007, adds the release.