IAAPA‘s 2012 Asian Attractions Expo (AAE) in Hong Kong sold out this year, highlighting the growing interest in the attractions industry. A strong buyer turnout, coupled with education sessions that were a resounding success, all helped to make IAAPA’s program a huge triumph.
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition centre played host to the four day event from June 5th – 8th, which saw over 5000 interested attendees from 65 countries arrive to view or display the attractions industry’s latest products and services, with over 270 companies from 32 countries exhibiting.
Related: Hong Kong: IAAPA’s Asian Attractions Expo Reaches New Heights / Storms and Pink Drinks: Note from Singapore’s Asian Expo
Visitors also took part in educational programs and networking events, with some top attraction-expert speakers also in attendance to complete the most expansive trade show floor to date. Owners, managers and leaders, as well as many others, were included in the buyers, the total of which exceeded 3000.
Chip Cleary, IAAPA president and CEO spoke of the impact IAAPA had made at the trade show saying, “IAAPA’s presence in Asia is expanding along with the attractions industry, and that is evidenced by the record turnout for the 2012 Expo.”
“The conference and trade show has grown tremendously since opening the IAAPA Asia-Pacific office less than two years ago, and going forward we expect the show will continue to reflect industry growth within the region.”
Hong Kong Disneyland Managing Director Andrew Kam believes that AAE is “a great venue to interact and learn among each other.” A statement confirmed by the 1640 attendees at the 2012 AAE education sessions, which covered a variety of topics and seminars ranging from motivating staff to maximising income.
“Attractions industry veterans and newcomers alike understand the rapid industry growth in Asia provides great opportunity, ” commented Andrew Lee, vice president, IAAPA’s Asia-Pacific operations. “Whether buying or exhibiting, more and more companies from around the globe look to Asian Attractions Expo as a must-attend event.”
There were also many great reviews from various attendees, ranging from seasoned attendees who have been coming for four years, to others who were just dipping their toe in the water for the first time.
Keving Ng of Cypress Production in Hong Kong spoke of his delight at the success of the exhibition saying: “This is the first time we attended Asian Attractions Expo. We are happy to have access to many of the people in the industry from around the world, and it allows them to recognize our company and also broaden the vision of our colleagues. This was a successful Expo.”
Participants were also quick to congratulate the conference on the growth and excellent standard of the trade show. “I’ve been coming for four or five years now, and it’s scaled up phenomenally just in that short time, ” said Mike Barclay, CEO, Sentosa Development Corporation.
IAAPA Institute for Attractions Managers 2 day intensive event, which was being offered for the first time, and completely sold out, making it a roaring success with nearly 60 bright and industrious attractions industry professionals taking advantage of the program to advance their own careers.
IAAPA also used the event to implement their new Intellectual Property (IP) program, which involved IAAPA counsellors meeting with a number of exhibitors to discuss the implications of IP rights in Asia, Europe and the USA. Despite the educational nature of this program, counsellors removed more than 16 catalogues, posted and other content that they felt violated their policies in some way.
The same IP program will also be in effect at the Euro Attractions Show 2012, due to be held in Berlin in October and at a similar event in November 2012 in Orlando.
