8/4/05 2005
IAAPA ASIAN EXPO 2005 A GOOD SUCCESS FOR ALL INVOLVED
Hong Kong —The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) announced preliminary attendance of more than 2,500 for IAAPA Asian Expo 2005, indicating a successful turnout at the three-day event that ended today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
As Asia’s largest amusement and attractions show, the 2005 IAAPA Asian Expo hosted more than 140 world class exhibitors and utilized more than 2,200 net square meters of exhibit space, an increase of 10% from 2004. Attendees came from 57 countries.
“Attendees enjoyed aisles of the latest and most exciting products, rides, and services in the amusement industry,” said IAAPA president and CEO, J. Clark Robinson. “While the Expo is one of the most fun and innovative trade shows in the world, it is also serious business for our industry. What you see on the trade show floor this summer may well be the newest features at parks and attractions next season.”
“IAAPA is pleased and excited about the success of the show and looks forward to even greater success in 2006,” said Robinson.
On the heels of continued improvement in the global economic outlook, the event witnessed an increase in the number of qualified buyers and business deals. The exhibition included industry suppliers from more than 30 countries and generated an overall sentiment of success among exhibitors.
Sascha Czibulka of Intamin / Ride Trade felt the show was “one of the best Asian Expos in recent years. Hong Kong is easily accessible for all buyers and the quality of those in attendance proved that. Southern China is where all the big projects are located.”
“It was a great move to come to Hong Kong, as the attendance quality was much better,” stated Andrea Munari from I.E. Park.
According to Eric Dillens of nWave Pictures SA, “Hong Kong brought good quality buyers from China, India, Malaysia, and South Africa.”
“I found the most sincere buyer interest of any Asian Expo, and consider this show to have been my best Expo ever,” enthused 3DBA’s Roger Houben.
As one of the amusement industry’s prime markets, Asia is home to four of the 10 most visited amusement parks and attractions in the world. Asia attracts more than 65 million visitors annually to its largest parks. Hong Kong is one of Asia’s most prominent centers of commerce, with an economy highly reliant on international trade and a gross domestic product of $212.2 billion.
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