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Show Review
www.parkworld-online.com
IAAPA Asian Attractions Expo
This summer’s IAAPA Asian Attractions young professionals get-together, more than good booth and people like our products.”
Expo in Macau (July 16 to 18) was the 225 people attended two Leadership “We have seen people from all over Asia,
biggest ever in terms of exhibitor Luncheons, to hear presentations by Tom including India and Pakistan,” reported Aji
numbers and floor space, but was the Mehrmann of Ocean Park in Hong Kong and Krishnan of Wonderla Rides from India. “There
attendance there to match? Eric Bello from Las Vegas Sands (owner of The have also been quite a lot of visitors from
Owen Ralph reports Venetian), as well as a number of seminars. Australia. We don’t expect to sell anything here,
Things got off to an encouraging start when but we are happy with the event.”
L
ike most things in Macau, the Special the doors to the show floor opened at 10am In Shanghai two years ago a lot of the talk
Administrative Region of China where on Wednesday morning, July 16, but traffic was about copying of rides. There’s still some
gaming revenues now outstrip Las Vegas, slowed soon after. “We had a good day first fairly blatant abuses going on from a handful
the action took place inside a casino. Less day, as good as I can ever remember,” of Chinese manufacturers, but it seemed less of
than a year old, The Cotai Strip Convention remarked Keith James of Jack Rouse an issue this time for most of the Western
and Exhibition Center at The Venetian Associates. “The numbers are low, but the manufacturers Park World spoke to, although
(modelled after the development of the same quality is exceptional. This market has been many were careful with exactly how much
name in Las Vegas) was clean, modern and good to us, we love being here, and we hope product they put on display.
spacious. This allowed IAAPA to allocate a to be here for a long time.” Zamperla, for example, can usually be relied
record 3,248 net square metres of exhibition upon to exhibit a handful of working rides at
space to 167 companies from 25 countries – Serious Buyers most trade shows, but presented a relatively
30% up on the previous AAE record, set last "We signed a deal on day one, and that's the modest booth in Macau. “Just look around,
summer in Bangkok (Thailand). Attendance, first time in my 14 years in the business I have they copy everything, even the layout and the
however, was down by more than 20%. ever managed to do so,” said Dave Sandstrom colours of our catalogues!” frowned Alberto
IAAPA’s preliminary figures suggest “nearly from Bob's Space Racers. “That's proof that Zamperla. The Italian company already has its
2,600” people participated in AAE 2008, Asian Attractions Expo attracts serious buyers." own factory in Suzhou manufacturing for the
versus 3,200 last year and 3,300 in 2006 Occupying an attractive booth near the Chinese market, but Alberto simply wasn’t
when the event visited Shanghai. main entrance was Vekoma.
“The exhibition definitely seems larger than “The show seems very quiet but
last year,” observed the chairman of the we are very busy!” declared
Chinese Association of Amusement Parks and Peter van Bilsen. ”I think the
Attractions (CAAPA), Liu Jingwang. “There are casino draws some people away
more international exhibitors here than our during the day but I am
own show in Beijing, and I know a lot of parks pleasantly surprised by the those
are sending high level delegations down to see we have seen. As well as China,
what is new. Chinese manufacturers are also we have talked to people from
paying a lot of attention to this show, but Japan, Korea and a lot from
personally I am a bit disappointed there are India.”
not so many real machines to see, just Further into the hall, Golden
brochures.” Horse Amusement Equipment
But it wasn’t all about rides and attractions. was also doing brisk business.
To its credit, IAAPA also put on a great “The show has been good for us
selection of networking and education events because we are strong in the
as part of this year’s Expo. As well as the domestic market,” highlighted
The show floor on the second day
Wednesday night Opening Reception and David Jia. “We also have a
Asian Attractions Awards
The winners of the second Asian Attractions Medium Attractions (1-2 million) and Small
Awards were announced during IAAPA Asian Attractions (below 1 million). Winning
Attractions Expo in Macau. Handed out for attractions were voted for online by the
the first time last year in Bangkok, the awards general public.
have been successful in raising the profile of The winners for 2008 were as follows: The
the attractions industry across Asia thanks to Great Wall of China (Overall Winner),
coverage from cable TV channels AXN Asia, Sentosa Resort in Singapore (Best Large
Discovery Travel and Living Asia. Attraction), Sunway Lagoon in Malaysia
The awards are divided into four categories: (Best Medium Attraction) and Sentosa 4D
Grand Winner (most number of votes), Large Magic in Singapore (Best Small Attraction).
Attraction (2 million annual visitors or more), www.attractionsawards.com
LEFT: Accepting the award on behalf of the Great Wall of China was CAAPA (China Association of
Amusement Parks and Attractions) chairman Liu Jingwang, seen here with IAAPA vice-chairman
Darryl Metzger
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SEPTEMBER 2008
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