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Industry Awards launched, new products unveiled at 16th edition of DEAL
Last month’s Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure (DEAL) expo, held at Dubai World Trade Centre April 25-27, showed strong market resilience with nearly 5, 000 visitors from over 50 countries in attendance.
Figures just released from International Expo Consults (IEC), organisers of DEAL, confirm that the 2010 edition of the show proved a success for exhibitors and visitors alike, with numerous new-to-market launches being unveiled.
“The success of this year’s DEAL exhibition shows just how established the Middle East’s amusement industry now is. Since launching the event 16 years ago, DEAL has continued to go from strength to strength and we have been very pleased with the results from this year’s edition, ” said Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, President of IEC.
Final audited figures just released showed that 4, 932 trade visitors attended the event, with 52 countries represented. DEAL showcased 150 exhibitors throughout the three-day event.
“This was our 10th participation in DEAL. It is the only exhibition we participate in. Gulftech is a Saudi-based company and manufactures amusement rides, indoor and outdoor. Through DEAL we secured business from Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Yemen, Syria, Africa, Iran and Iraq, ” said Waleed A. Ibrahim, sales and marketing manager, GulfTech, exhibitors at the show.
Gulftech launched three rides this year at DEAL called the Magic Twister, Disk O ride and Dancing Sea Gull.
Further testament to the success of this year’s DEAL is the fact that a large number of exhibitors had already confirmed their participation for 2011 by the closing of the show. Companies set to return include local supplier ASI, Intercard from the USA, Moser Rides from Italy and PEM Fountain Company from Canada.
The Middle East amusements industry is estimated to be worth US$2 billion, with up to US$500 million being re-invested in the region annually.
Large-scale theme park developments may have been shelved due to the current economic situation, but the market is still showing growth, with family entertainment centres (FECs) proving viable business opportunities for developments and industry suppliers.
There are approximately 70 theme parks in the GCC and about 100 FECs, with new developments such as Kidzania at Dubai Mall and iFly Dubai at Mirdiff City centre showcasing new product innovations.
This year’s DEAL was honoured by being visited by H.E Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. Other noteworthy announcements from the show included the unveiling of the Middle East Amusement Industry Awards.
“The first Awards will take place at DEAL 2011, rewarding innovation and excellence in the region’s amusement industry, as well as showcasing the incredible development of FECs and themeparks across the region, ” said Abdul Rehman Falaknaz.
DEAL 2011 will take place April 4-6 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Substantial industry support for DEAL is given by the Amusement Industry Council of Europe, including Association Fabricantes Y Exp. Maquinas de la Foia de Bunyol (Spain) Associazone Nazionale Costruttori Attrezzature, Spettcoli Viaggianti (Italy); Amusement & Leisure Equipment Suppliers of the UK; American Amusement Manufacturers Association); International Association for the Leisure & Entertainment Industries; India Association of Amusement Parks & Industries; and the World Water Park Association.
DEAL is organized by International Expo-Consults LLC (IEC), an internationally recognized trade show management company with an impressive track record of over a decade of operations in the Middle East and Asia Pacific region.
IEC excels at creating high profile, highly focused business exhibitions and expositions, which serve as effective business interfaces for buyers and suppliers from around the world. For more information, visit www.iecdubai.com
