New home for Aquarama

Same time, new venue: although the International Ornamental Fish and Accessories Exhibition, Aquarama, and its sister event, Pet Asia, will still take place from 30 May to 2 June, the venue for these two large trade fairs has changed. The shows will now be staged at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The largest and most flexible exhibition and meeting venue on the island offers an overall exhibition area of 120 000 m² and houses the island’s largest state-of-the-art hotel. Aquarama and Pet Asia will take up halls B and C on the first floor of the exhibition centre. Together, both shows will occupy 8 310 m² and accommodate some 200 exhibitors from around the globe. New venue, strong programme The new venue will not have any effect on established Aquarama components like the International Fish Competition, which for instance will include no fewer than seven additions, says the organiser, UBM Asia Trade Fairs. The world-renowned Dragon Fish competition has been modified to take account of the recent trend which has seen the emergence of a “new breed” of golden dragon fish – the Crossback Golden (Gold Head). Consequently, the previous classes have been expanded and now consist of Red, Crossback Golden (Traditional) and Crossback Golden (Gold Head), with a class dedicated to large specimens and another to smaller ones. In addition, an open class has been introduced for quality dragon fish that don’t fall within any of the recognised types. As well as seeing top fish of all kinds in the competition, trade visitors also like to see the commercial-grade varieties that Singapore can produce, i.e. the fish which they are likely to find on exporters’ lists. Conscious of this need, the 2013 edition will include, for the first time, special sections for commercial-grade guppies, discus and goldfish. Away from the competitive arena, Aquarama’s proven reputation for attracting specialist international speakers for its trade and public seminars will ensure that attendees will be able to bring themselves up to date with the latest news affecting the worldwide ornamental aquatic industry, says UBM. The main theme is Current Aquatics – Future Perspectives. Another item on the programme is an invitation to visitors to see the new Ornamental Fish Export Centre of Singapore during the Aquarama Farm Visit. Download: New home for Aquarama (PDF file)