The Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention (STGCC) returns on 14 - 16 August 2009.

    SINGAPORE:Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board as part of the MICE1 initiative to anchor and grow quality business events in Singapore, the Convention is set to make waves at the Suntec International Exhibition & Convention Centre from 14 - 16 August 2009. Admission is free and the event is open to the public for all three days.

    Organised by local event planner PI Events, STGCC 2009 will take up almost double the hall space. At 6,110 sqm (up from 3,300 sqm last year), Convention-goers can expect more in terms of content, event highlights and Convention exclusives. Extended to three (3) days (up from 2 days in 2008), this year's event includes a full day of Conference sessions, as well as a dedicated Trade session. Targeted at students and industry professionals, the Conference aims to engage its audience in a transfer of knowledge with key players from the global creative industry.

    Moving the Convention to August this year (from June in 2008) will allow exhibitors to showcase their latest products, after their official launch in the United States. For this same reason, more foreign companies will be able to participate as well, keeping in line with the goal to provide more international content. "In our second year, we aim to bring even more of the latest products and exclusive content from the various industries from all over the world, to Singapore and South-east Asia," said Ms Denise Tan, Director of PI Events. "It is this international flavour of the Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention that will make the event a major vehicle for setting the tone and shaping trends in pop-culture in this part of the world for years to come."

    While influencing pop-culture trends among fans and consumers in Singapore and South-east Asia, the Convention also aims to stimulate and encourage growth in creatively-aligned businesses throughout the region. "In line with our vision to aid in the development of creative industries, the Convention provides an avenue to promote the convergence of multi-platform businesses within the various creative industries," said Ms Denise Tan. "Apart from bringing in content for a consumer show, the Convention is also about creating more business opportunities, especially for Singaporean and Southeast Asian companies."

    "We congratulate PI Events for staging the second edition of the Singapore Toy, Games and Comic Convention, following the event's success last year. The event creates an excellent platform for industry leaders in these fields to converge and share ideas, network and explore business collaborations, adding dynamism to Singapore and the region's arts, design and digital media mindshare in this growing market segment," said Ms Melissa Ow, Assistant Chief Executive, Business Travel and MICE Group, Singapore Tourism Board.

    "Animax, the premier anime and youth entertainment brand is proud to be part of STGCC for the second year running. With the natural brand fit and synergy, Animax and STGCC continue to grow together on the wave of influence that anime has on popular youth culture including toys, games, fashion, music, design, and entertainment. Returning as the Official Regional Broadcast Partner, we look forward to sharing the fun, passion and excitement at STGCC with our audiences in Singapore and across Asia," said Mr. Gregory Ho, Vice President and General Manager, Animax Asia.

    "Following the success of the first ever Singapore Toy & Comic Convention in 2008, Hasbro Singapore is proud to be a part of this amazing event once again. Hasbro constantly strives to reinvent, reignite and reimagine, and being a part of this global pop-culture experience helps us connect with like-minded and passionate individuals from the region," said Ms Joy Koh, Marketing Manager, Hasbro Singapore.

    "As a leader in the creative industry, LEGO Singapore is pleased to participate in the Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention for a second consecutive year. STGCC is a great platform for LEGO Singapore to stimulate one's imagination, the emergence of ideas and creative expression and also to have close contact with our fans and consumers," said Ms Tan Lee Hoon, Managing Director, LEGO Singapore.

    EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
    Catering to all ages and demographics, the Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention will play host to a number of exciting activities and highlights including the Artist Alley, an artist graffiti wall, autograph signings, convention giveaways, a Cosplay Competition, live art demonstrations, Online Art Auction, Playworks Ultimate PLAY Babes Competition, Singapore Polytechnic Toy Design Competition 2009, Star Wars appearances, stunt shows and costume appearances, and the Walk of Fame featuring internationally renowned artists. To date, the confirmed Walk of Fame artists are:

    o Brian Bolland (GBR)

    o Gary Baseman (USA)

    o Joe Ledbetter (USA)

    o Tan Eng Huat (MAS)

    *For more information on the above Event Highlights, please refer to the Annex.

    FRINGE EVENTS
    The Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention will also be holding a number of fringe events to compliment the Convention as a whole.

    Conference Sessions featuring World-Class Players in Creative Industries
    Speakers are:

    o Tracy Wong, Creative Director (LaMB), Animax Asia (SIN),

    o Johnny Mak, Head of Technical Operations, Imagi Studios (HKG),

    o Dennis Fong, Concept Manager, LEGO Concept Lab (JPN),

    o Stanley "Artgerm" Lau, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Imaginary Friends Studios (SIN),

    o Feng Zhu, Founder and Concept Designer, FZD School of Design (SIN),

    o Nichole "The Baroness" East, Marketing Manager, Kidrobot (USA), and

    o Eric Khoo (SIN), Film Writer, Producer and Director