ConnecTechAsia2019 Opening Ceremony Speech – Informa Markets

Guest of Honour, Tan Kiat How,
Chief Executive Officer, InfoComm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Harriet Green, CEO and Chairman, IBM Asia Pacific
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,
Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen,

• A very Good Morning and welcome to this year’s edition of ConnecTechAsia, Asia’s Mega Infocomm, Media and Technology event, which comprises, CommunicAsia / Satcomm and NXTAsia to be held here at Marina Bay Sands and BroadcastAsia at Suntec Singapore.
• Ladies and Gentlemen, the way in which we live and work is being transformed by technology. Our exhibitors and conference speakers will talk about the impact of emerging technologies such as 5G, AI, cloud and IoT, is having on our lives.
• At ConnecTechAsia, you will have a unique opportunity to learn how you can benefit from today’s emerging technologies. You will also learn how to manage the pitfalls associated with new technologies such as cyber attacks.
• At this year’s event, we have greatly enhanced the quality of content. We have worked with Knowledge Partners including IoTSG, Light Reading, Ovum, Tractica, IABM, Infosec in the  City, Accenture, Deloitte, McKinsey and KPMG.
• We are also delighted to welcome such a large number of industry experts and thought leaders to the Summit, from companies including IBM, NTT DOCOMO, VMware, Eutelsat, Google, Amazon, Huawei and Facebook. This year’s theme, ‘Shaping Future Societies’, draws the focus on the key forces driving digital transformation across the region.
• We have introduced the 5G Xperience zone, where you can see a live demonstration of 5G enabled technology. I hope you will all find the time to visit the KT showcase dedicated to 5G.
• The Asia Pacific Satellite Communications Council will host an industry briefing on the Satelite industry in Asia and we have also launched a Satcomm Stage where the industry will discuss the exciting times that lay ahead.
• We are also working with the ASEAN Smart Cities Network to organise a workshop highlighting practical considerations and factors to implement Smart Cities Projects across ASEAN.
• At BroadcastAsia, we are working with IABM on the Future Trends Theatre and TVeXchange where attendees can gain insights on non-linear broadcasting solutions and alternative content platforms.
• Over at the Avid suite and VSolutions booth at Suntec, we are pleased to welcome Matt Holmes, who will share his vast experience working on the visual effects of over 40 feature films and episodes including Avengers Endgame and Game of Thrones.
• We have also greatly enhanced the number of networking sessions, this year will see over 30 networking sessions enabling people to interact, share ideas and provide solutions for the challenges affecting the industry. This includes the CEO Exchange and the CIO Forum and last night, with our partners IABM, we welcomed over 400 people to the screening room for a pre-show networking event.
• As a company we have also been going through substantial change, UBM the previous organiser has now been acquired by Informa, a FTSE 50 company and a company very strong in the Technology sector.
• As we look forward, I am pleased to announce that Informa will further strengthen our working relationship with the Singapore Government and IMDA when ConnecTechAsia returns to Singapore from 9 – 11 June next year.
• In conclusion, I would once again like to express my gratitude to the InfoComm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and all other trade associations and esteemed partners. Your strong support over the years has allowed ConnecTechAsia to flourish to become one of Asia’s key industry events and serve as the region’s leading business platform for info-communications, broadcasting, and emerging technologies.
• I would also like to thank our guest of honour Tan Kiat How for his time this morning.
• I wish everyone a successful three days at ConnectechAsia, Thank you very much.―CT Bureau