PW June 09 P22.qxd 5/26/09 1:38 pm Page 22
Show Review
MELAC – a trade
association for
the Middle East
Twenty-four companies have
signed up as founder
members of the Middle East
Leisure & Attractions
Council, or MELAC. The
association was officially
launched at DEAL back in
April after two years of
meetings and will be
chaired by Majid Al Hokair
of the Al Hokair Group in
Saudi Arabia.
The new group replaces a
defunct trade association
and promises a “more
Good DEAL
democratic decision-making
process,” according to Gerry
Robinson, its interim
Dubai show holds-up well
general secretary. “The
establishment of MELAC
DEAL (Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and many of our products,” remarked the Italian
comes at a time when the
Leisure), the Middle East’s premier exhibition manufacturer’s Michele Colombari. “Despite the
leisure and attractions
for the theme park and amusement industry, economic downturn, the amusement and leisure
industry in the Middle East
took place recently in Dubai, with positive industry here is growing faster than expected and will
and Africa seeks to
reports coming from a number of exhibitors be more important in the near future.”
professionalise the way it
Despite its heritage, DEAL has never in its history
operates,” he adds. “The
The event was officially opened on April 26 by HE hosted a seminar programme. That was put right
association will provide a
Khalid bin Sulayem, director general of the Dubai with this year with introduction of a one-day
range of services and
Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, conference organised by Gerry Robinson of Trade
benefits for members.”
and continued until April 28. Shows International/ALES-UK. Taking place on the
MELAC hopes to hold its
Organised by International Expo Consults (IEC) second day, the sessions were well attended;
first council meeting in
this, the 15
th
edition of the show, was staged as proving that such an addition to the show was long
September. A conference
usual inside the Dubai World Trade Centre and overdue.
and several other events are
attracted over 150 exhibitors from 30 countries. Supported by ALES-UK, the TEA and UK Trade &
planned over the next 12
Once again the UK provided the largest contingent, Industry, the conference tackled topics ranging from
months and the association
fielding 25 companies. Overall visitor numbers setting up a theme park to the impact of amusement
has also nominated DEAL as
meanwhile stood at 5,328. games in childhood development. Speakers included
its official trade show.
Despite well-publicised delays to a number of Bart Dohmen of BRC Imagination Arts Europe, David
leisure projects in the area, IEC president Abdul Camp of ERA, Claus Frimand from Profun in Abu
For more information contact
Rehman Falaknaz remained upbeat about prospects Dhabi and Craig Hart of Majid Al Futtiam.
Gerry Robinson,
for the UAE and beyond: “Dubai continues to be the Following this success of the seminars,
tsi_ltd@hotmail.com, or look
epicentre of the Middle East’s amusement industry,” arrangements are now in place for what will
out for the imminent launch of
he said. “The success of DEAL is testament to the probably be a two-day programme in 2010. DEAL
the MELAC website:
fact that the region’s appetite for fun continues to itself will take place next year from April 25 to 27.
www.melac.org
grow, despite the global credit crisis.”
“The Middle East will always be a hub of business www.themeparksdubai.com
activity and trade,” added Rania Laing, vice-
president of FEC consultancy Megatouch Middle
East Entertainment. “Amusement and leisure activities
meet a basic human need and DEAL is a show that
tends to bring quality investors.”
“It’s great to see the show last so long,” remarked
former Alain Baldacci of Interplay Parks Brazil, and a
former IAAPA chairman. “Fifteen years is really a
great mark and shows how solid this exhibition is.
MAIN PIC: The show floor
When I was chairman of IAAPA in 2002 we
RIGHT: Bernie the Bear by
understood the importance of this show and this
Rainbow Productions
region.”
performs the ribbon- “For the Fabbri Group the Middle East represents
cutting ceremony
an important resource and a window on Asia for
22
JUNE 2009
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