UBM, owners and organizers of the Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific conference and exhibition, anticipate a strong increase in attendance at the third edition of the event, set to open Wednesday, October 9.

While cruising is still quite a new concept within the Asia-Pacific market, organizers are already seeing a nearly 20 percent increase over last year’s attendance, based on pre-registration numbers alone. Given that 2012 numbers nearly doubled via on-site registration, total attendance may potentially reach 40 percent higher than previous years at the close of the show on Thursday, October 10th.

Additionally, the size of the trade show floor has increased significantly as well. Exhibitors from all over the world, interested in trading in the Asia-Pacific cruise market have purchased nearly 20 percent more exhibit stand space than the 2012 event.

“The uptick in attendance and exhibit space this year truly mirrors the ongoing growth and expansion of the cruise industry in the Pan-Asia market,” said Daniel Read, Portfolio Director of UBM’s Cruise Portfolio. “The opportunity the cruise lines bring to this market is unprecedented, especially when you take into account passenger sourcing for worldwide destinations and the shipbuilding and repair sector.”

Those elements and others will be thoroughly covered during the conference, which begins with the State of the Cruise Industry in Asia plenary session on Wednesday, October 9 at 10:00am.  Relevant concurrent sessions will follow in the afternoon and the following day.

The exhibition officially opens Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. and closes Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. In addition, a tribute to former Asia cruise industry pioneer Rama Rebbapragada will take place when an award is given in his name to an elite contributor to the growth of the Asian cruise market, Wednesday evening during the Welcome Reception.  The Rama Rebbapragada Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Cruise Industry in Asia, will be presented by Celebrity Cruises President and CEO, Michael Bayley.