Singapore Expo
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The Singapore Expo is the largest convention and exhibition venue in Singapore with 60,000 square metres (645,000 ft²) of column-free, indoor space spread over 6 halls. Built and managed by PSA Corporation, and funded by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the S$220 million building was built on a 250,000 square metre site in the east of Singapore near Simei. Currently managed by Temasek Holdings's, Singex Venues Private Limited, the government-owned building was designed by Cox Richardson Rayner.
With the exhibition space at the World Trade Centre slated for demolition, a replacement venue which could exceed the 34,000 square metres of indoor space was greatly needed. Construction on the building's first phase therefore commenced in 1997, and was officially opened on March 4 1999, even though the effects of the Asian Economic Crisis has started to bite on the economy during that period. Critics point out that the halls will be under-utilized, and further worsened by its relatively remote location compared to the old World Trade Centre, or the Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre which had opened only a few years earlier in 1995.
The initial years almost proved the critics right, although the venue made a quick turnaround within a few years. The opening of the Expo MRT Station in 10 January 2001 was a boost to the venue, which was already experiencing increasing usage, helped in particular by the attempts to sell the venue for functions beyond exhibitions and conventions, which was to include rock concerts, new year parties, beauty pageants, musicals, and even as examination halls for educational institutions.
Facilities
The Singapore Expo is comprised of 6 interconnected halls of 10,000 square metres each, with column free spaces and a ceiling height of up to 16 metres (52 feet). Each hall is self-contained and self-supporting, and they are linked together by air-conditioned walkways.
An outdoor exhibition space provides an additional 25,000 square metres (270,000 ft²) of space, which normally doubles up as the venue's carpark for 2,200 vehicles. This space is also slated to be used for the venue's second phase, which will see the addition of 4 more halls of similar design and configuration as the existing 6 halls.
A total of 10 conference halls are available, ranging in size from 89 square metres to 844 square metres. In addition, there are also 9 meeting rooms, which can seat from 15 to 125 members.
Expansion
By 2003, demand for ever bigger exhibition space prompted the Singapore Expo to proceed with its expansion plans, especially in response to the needs of IMTA Asia, which was slated to be held from 17 October to 21 October 2005. With the inaugural show already occupying the full 60,000 square metres of space, pressure was on the venue to expand, or the prestigious event may have to move somewhere else since there is no other bigger venue available in Singapore. In response, a new 40,000 square metres expansion comprising of a further 4 halls began construction adjacent to the existing halls across Expo Drive in double quick time to meet the expected exhibition period, with completion expected by 30 June 2005. The original plan to build the second phase at the carpark is still on the cards.
External links
- Singapore Expo Homepage (http://www.singapore-expo.com.sg/)