Architecture and Building Services tradeshow in Singapore moved to November amid pandemic

The Architecture and Building Services 2021, which has been billed as the biggest trade show to be held in Singapore since the start of the pandemic, will be postponed by several months to November. It was originally scheduled to take place from June 30 to July 2.

The move is in line with tightened measures and restrictions under Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), said its organiser, Conference & Exhibition Management Services (CEMS), in a statement on Tuesday.

The trade show, now in its seventh edition, is expected to have seen 2,500 attendees at its venue at Marina Bay Sands, while another 5,000 were to take part virtually.

In view of the fluid pandemic situation globally and in Singapore, the decision to postpone the event to November 2021 was made in consultation with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), noted ABS. "The well-being of all stakeholders including our exhibitors, conference delegates and trade visitors, as well as the community at large, remains our top priority."

Edward Liu, the managing director of CEMS, said that Singapore remains a "first-choice hub for international conferences and exhibitions".

He is hopeful that the situation would have improved by November, where it would be "more conducive" to conduct exhibitions and conferences without compromising public health.

When the event returns in November this year, it will run on a hybrid format, said CEMS. This will see integration of "both on-site and virtual elements" across seven trade shows and 10 major conferences.

Andrew Phua, executive director of exhibitions and conferences at STB, said that ABS 2021 is a "significant platform" for the building industry. "We remain committed to working closely with them towards a safe, trusted and innovative event in November. In these uncertain times, it is encouraging to see event organisers like CEMS continue to adapt and transform their business for the new Covid-environment."