Singapore -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/26/2011 -- Imagine learning about the latest show deals, product launches and on-the-hour promotions available at an event through your Twitter or Facebook accounts. This will soon become a reality for gadget enthusiasts who plan to visit Singapore’s longest-running consumer electronics and IT exhibition, when it returns for its 23rd edition this November.

The organisers of SITEX will for the first time leverage on social media platforms, Twitter and Facebook real-time stream of information to promote the event, and to encourage active participation on the event’s social networks, a three-month long social media marketing campaign was launched in September.

The SITEX Snapshot Challenge will require participants to locate the SITEX Gizmo Girl and submit a creative picture taken with her, and her oversized gadget. Each participant will subsequently have to garner the support of their individual Facebook network base to “LIKE” their entry. The entry with the most “LIKES” will win one of the four iPads up for grabs throughout the campaign. A total of four challenges will be held from September to November, with the first three challenges having taken place in September and October.

The first SITEX Snapshot Challenge saw slightly over 100 participants and drew over 1800 fans who participated in the challenge by voting for their favourite entry. The winner of the September challenge, Mr. Ryann Koh who received over 935 “LIKES for his entry had this to say, “I was really surprised and extremely delighted to be the very first winner of the SITEX Snapshot Challenge. I think this is an excellent platform to engage visitors and create awareness for the show. I certainly look forward to visiting the SITEX fan page closer to the event to receive the latest information on the best deals available at SITEX.”

The last challenge is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 3 November 2011 at Raffles Place. More information on the SITEX Snapshot Challenge is available on the event website at http://www.sitex.com.sg.

According to a study conducted by ComScore Inc on social networking activity in the Asia Pacific region, Singapore is among the top five countries to show the highest penetration of social networking usage with 83.7 percent of its entire web population visiting a social networking site in a month . Facebook ranked as the top social network in Singapore with a whopping 72.1% of its web population actively engaging in social networking activities.

Eddie Chau, Chairman of Singapore infocomm Technology Federation, the organiser of SITEX, agrees in tapping into the power of social media to engage and connect with the marketplace.

He says” Social media platforms provide a unique opportunity for organisers to take on a more active approach in how it communicates up to the minute show information to its audience, something traditional advertising vehicles such as print advertising or television commercials are unable to achieve. It also allows information-sharing, where visitors and exhibitors can openly discuss and share information on show offers and product experiences.”

The next exciting edition of SITEX will be held at Singapore EXPO from 24 to 27 November 2011.

About SITEX
Organised by the Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) and managed by SingExhibitions, SITEX is the longest-running consumer IT exhibition in Singapore. For 22 years, SITEX has provided an excellent platform for companies to showcase and launch IT products, services and technologies to a wide and targeted audience. For more information, visit http://www.sitex.com.sg.

About Singapore infocomm Technology Federation

The Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) comprises corporate members ranging from local start-ups to established MNCs. It works with various stakeholders in the ICT industry to promote emerging technologies and ICT-related issues in areas such as Digital Media, Cloud Computing, Green IT, Wireless, Security and Governance.

SiTF’s charter is to serve as the voice of the Singapore infocomm industry and to provide members with opportunities to increase their market presence and business reach. Among the key events initiated by SiTF are the SiTF Golf Classic, SiTF Awards, SITEX and the ICT Business Forum which provides industry representatives with a platform to come together, exchange ideas and build relationships.

A flagship programme of SiTF is MatchiT, which helps enterprises to match their ICT needs with relevant solutions provided by the ICT industry, thus opening up new business opportunities for our members. To further assist the local ICT industry in extending its market reach, SiTF also has a representative office in Shanghai to help members gain inroads into the Chinese market.

SiTF also plays an active role in the development of Singapore’s human capital, with the SiTF Academy providing the ICT workforce with opportunities for continuous education and training.

About Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre
A top-ranked venue in Asia and Singapore’s largest purpose-built MICE facility, Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre, managed by Singex Venues Pte Ltd, is a one-stop event hub for every reason and season. Covering over 123,000sqm of indoor and outdoor space, comprising convention-exhibition halls, conference halls, meeting rooms, mobile V-Rooms, and The MAX Pavilion, EXPO welcomes over six million visitors and 600 events every year, ranging from exhibitions, conventions, corporate meetings, award ceremonies, gala banquets, to consumer shows. By early 2012, EXPO will feature a brand new convention wing, MAX Atria, with additional meeting facilities and lush green spaces. The new wing is also certified Green Mark Platinum by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority.

Equipped with world-class amenities, 2,500 parking lots and Flavours East, a collection of fifteen food and beverage outlets, EXPO is conveniently located five minutes from Changi International Airport and fifteen minutes from the city centre. Visit http://www.singaporeexpo.com.sg for more information