News Releases

No. 1/ August 2007

SIGGRAPH To Debut In Asia Next Year

Singapore to kick off Asian version of respected computer graphics conference

Singapore, 7 August 2007 - ACM SIGGRAPH (Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics), the world’s largest society on computer graphics, will mark its entry into Asia with SIGGRAPH Asia 2008, to be held in Singapore from 10 - 13 December 2008. At the event, experts from Asia and beyond will offer top-notch content from the forefront of computer graphics theory and practice.

The coming of SIGGRAPH to Asia is testimonial to the strong growth in the digital media market in Asia. In the past few years, the percentage of research papers from Asia has more than doubled, according to the SIGGRAPH Papers Programme. In 2005, Asian research papers constituted 17 percent of the total number of research papers.

"The art and science of computer graphics are advancing in quantum leaps. Given the high-quality content that we seek to offer, we expect the computer graphics fraternity to be amazed by the cutting edge developments on show at SIGGRAPH Asia 2008," says Dr. Lee Yong Tsui, Conference Chair, SIGGRAPH Asia 2008.

According to event manager Koelnmesse, 6,000 attendees are estimated to visit the trade exhibition, while nearly a thousand delegates are expected to sign up for the conference.

"We are very excited about SIGGRAPH Asia 2008. There has been a huge increase in the amount of high quality technical and creative work from Asia and the event will be the perfect venue to showcase them. We look forward to an intellectual and creative exchange between the established SIGGRAPH conference in the United States and this Asian edition," says Scott Owen, President, ACM SIGGRAPH.

"We are pleased to be hosting SIGGRAPH Asia 2008. Bolstered by our strategic location and accessibility to the region and the rest of Asia, Singapore is an ideal venue to launch the inaugural Asian edition of the world's largest and most significant computer graphics event. Hosting this show also complements the development of the Information Communications Technology and Digital Media industry in Singapore, adding to the vibrancy of this sector. We look forward to welcoming computer graphics aficionados worldwide to Uniquely Singapore, and sharing the latest trends in computer graphics with all visitors to the show," said Mr. Aloysius Arlando, Assistant Chief Executive Business Travel and MICE Group, Singapore Tourism Board.

SIGGRAPH Asia 2008 will feature a wide spectrum of anchor programs designed to appeal to the event's target audience, such as academics, professionals, artists, animators, and students. The conference and exhibition will feature high-quality and original research papers, a computer animation festival, and hands-on courses and tutorials in the latest computer graphics and interactive techniques. Other highlights include a digital art gallery, an educators programme, a trade exhibition, and a career fair for networking and career development opportunities.

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Media contact
Agnes Heng
Koelnmesse Pte Ltd
Tel: +65.6500.6732
Fax: +65.6296.2771

About SIGGRAPH Asia 2008
SIGGRAPH Asia 2008 presents the continent's first conference and exhibition devoted exclusively to computer graphics and interactive techniques. To be held at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Singapore, SIGGRAPH Asia 2008 will feature an international conference from 10-13 December 2008, showcasing works that provoke thoughts, explore ideas in innovative ways, address contemporary issues, interactively engage viewers in discovery, and stimulate their intellect and creativity through art, computer animation, courses, education, technology, papers, sketches, and posters. SIGGRAPH Asia also includes a three-day exhibition of products and services from the computer graphics and interactive marketplace from 11-13 December 2008. Marking its entry into Asia, the first SIGGRAPH Asia is expected to bring together 6,000 computer graphics and interactive technology professionals and enthusiasts from Asia and beyond. SIGGRAPH Asia is sponsored by ACM.
More information about SIGGRAPH Asia

About ACM
The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) SIGGRAPH sponsors SIGGRAPH Asia 2008. ACM is an educational and scientific society uniting the world's computing educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources, and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking.