STGCC RECAP: Fans Enjoy East-meets-West Offerings at STGCC 2011

Visitor numbers increased over a more condensed run this year – The Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC) 2011 ended its two-day run last weekend on 20 & 21 August, attracting close to 30,000 visitors in attendance.

This year’s East-meets-West programme at STGCC 2011, in terms of pop culture personalities and exhibitors, was very well-received by all parties, including a bigturnout of fans who participated actively throughout the convention. The top highlights included over 80 exclusive collectibles and new products from Hot Toys, Marvel Entertainment, DC Entertainment, HARRIS Planerds, Maxsoft C/O Nintendo, tokidoki and WhiteCanvas Akiba Pro-Doujin-Shop as well as up close fan interaction with this year’s guests at the STGCC Walk of Fame and spotlight forums. Ms Yeow Hui Leng, Project Director of STGCC, from Reed Exhibitions, attributed the increase in visitor numbers to the exciting line-up at STGCC 2011.

“This year, not only did we have Marvel Entertainment at STGCC again, we also had DC Entertainment and
Diamond Comic Distributors fresh on board. Highly-coveted items such as the Hot Toys collectible figurines also caught the attention of hundreds of fans, some of whom queued up as early as 10.30pm the night before just to be the first to lay their hands on these exclusive toys.”

“We are pleased that overall sales turnover is up for our exhibitors and fans have responded very positively to the well-rounded mix of pop culture personalities and exhibitors from both East and West.”

Recapping STGCC 2011

Over its two-day run, STGCC 2011 has received praises and positive feedback on the quality and variety of anime, manga, comics, toys, and live performances showcased.

Peter Lin, 28, who has been attending STGCC since it started in 2008, said: “It is exciting that, for a change, Singapore gets to play host to these talented creators at STGCC instead of having to travel halfway across the world to meet them. I also enjoyed interacting with local and regional artists such as Wendy Chew and Sonny Liew at the Artist Alley.”

An avid Hot Toys collector, Eddie Ban, 30, from Malaysia who arrived at 5am on the first day of STGCC to queue for Hot Toys, said: “It is my first time at STGCC and I really enjoyed the whole experience as we do not have such conventions in Malaysia. I have been collecting Hot Toys over the past year and when I knew they were coming to STGCC, I bought my tickets immediately. The experience this year was awesome and I’m definitely coming back next year.”

Mr Tan Tong Hong, Managing Director of Action City, which brought in Hot Toys to STGCC this year, said: “This is the first time we are showcasing such a visually stimulating display of Hot Toys collectible figurines and newly launched Hollywood
movies collectible figures and artist projects which have never before been exhibited in Singapore, and we are thrilled with the turnout and response from fans in Singapore and toy enthusiasts who flown in from around the region to attend the convention.”

Michael Pasciullo, Senior Vice President of Brand Planning & Communications, at Marvel Entertainment, LLC, said: “Marvel is very excited to be attending STGCC once again. Last year, we were not only amazed by the incredible convention that STGCC put on but also by the passion and enthusiasm for Marvel that we experienced from all of the attendees.
We knew right away that we needed to attend again this year and we have strived to create an even greater presence for our fans to enjoy.”

STGCC guests were just as enthused to be part of this year’s convention. Award-winning toy designer, Andrew Bell, who is in Singapore for the first time, said: “I actually got to meet a Singapore fan at STGCC who has been collecting my toys for seven years. I had a great time this year and I am already looking forward to coming back next year, hopefully with a bigger booth and more toys. There is a really creative pool of talent at Artist Alley with really original material. And I hope to see more artists taking part next year!”

Rising Talent in Asia

Marvel international talent scout, C.B. Cebulski, who talent-spotted local artist, Benjamin Ang, at last year’s STGCC, also has high hopes for Asian talent. “The influx of Asian artists is the next big wave we are seeing as they leave their stamp on the medium. That is why we come to STGCC to scout for talent. There is such an inspiring pool of artistic talent in Asia just waiting for us to tap, and we love seeing how Asian artists interpret Marvel characters into their own style.”

Mr Cebulski is bringing back to Marvel nine portfolios from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines for further review and their creators may have a chance to work with the comics powerhouse.

What is in for STGCC going forward?

Although STGCC 2011 has just lowered its curtains, planning is underway for next year’s programme. Ms Yeow said: “Going forward, we will look at incorporating pop culture elements from other Asian cultures while continuing to strengthen our Western offerings. Pop culture is more than just comics, toys and games, and we want to give as much variety to our
fans as possible. This will complete the unique East-West pop culture experience for our fans.”