Leipziger Messe, the organizer of Games Convention Asia 2008, is strengthening its commitment in Asia by opening a representative office.

The new office opening was officiated by the visit of the Mayor of the City of Leipzig and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Leipziger Messe, Burkhard Jung, and Leipziger Messe CEO Wolfgang Marzin to Singapore.

The official opening was also attended by guests from Singapore’s government officials from the business and tourism sectors.

Under the support of the Leipziger Messe International, the Singapore subsidiary will develop and implement fairs and events concepts for the international market in the Asia Pacific region.

"Leipziger Messe and the City of Leipzig are making a clear indication of our commitment in Asia," says Mayor Burkhard Jung.

"The newly-opened representation in Singapore will help to strengthen the reputation of Leipzig as the economic, cultural and trade hub in Europe."

The first project of Leipziger Messe Singapore is the preparation of the second Games Convention Asia (GCA), which will happen from 18 to 20 September 2008 at Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Singapore.

At the inaugural GC Asia in September 2007, 81 exhibitors and over 70,000 visitors attended the event. Around 100 exhibitors and over 100,000 visitors are expected to attend this year’s event.

"Singapore is the gateway to the booming Asia-Pacific market and opens up fascinating new opportunities for the worldwide video game industry," says Wolfgang Marzin, CEO of Leipziger Messe GmbH.

"The GC Asia is the sole event in this region to focus on digital entertainment, computer games, entertainment, learning software and hardware. The goal of Leipziger Messe International is to establish the GCA as the most significant meeting place for the industry in the Asia-Pacific region and to open up the path to new markets for international companies and developers."

“We congratulate Leipziger Messe on its Asia-Pacific office opening in Singapore. Leipziger Messe will augment the strong ecosystem of MICE players in Singapore and raise the standards, professionalism and competitiveness of the Singapore MICE industry. Singapore’s dynamic and pro-business environment, accessibility, quality infrastructure and professional MICE industry collectively position us as an ideal launch-pad for Leipziger Messe to tap into the fast-growing Asia-Pacific market. We would like to take this opportunity to wish Leipziger Messe success in organising the second instalment of Games Convention Asia, which leverages Singapore as a digital gateway to capitalise upon the abundant opportunities presented by Asia’s rapidly growing digital interactive gaming industry,” said Mr Aloysius Arlando, Assistant Chief Executive, Business Travel and MICE Group, Singapore Tourism Board.

For their official two-day visit in Singapore, Burkhard Jung and Wolfgang Marzin will be conducting numerous discussions with representatives from both government and commerce in Singapore, as well as the Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. Lim Hng Kiang.