DEAL report Attractions industry flocks to Dubai
DEAL, the Middle East’s principal amusement and leisure expo, enjoyed record attendance in 2011. Adrian Lennox reports
THE 17th annual Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure exhibition opened its doors on April 3, providing a key platform for firms looking to expand their reach into the Middle East’s burgeoning attractions market. The three-day event, which took place at the Dubai
World Trade Centre, played host to numerous leading theme park and family entertainment centre equipment providers, including Falgas Industries, Rainbow Productions, Zamperla, the United Distributing Company and Warehouse of Games. “DEAL offers up three days of intense business negotiations
and due to the nature of the industry it also offers three days of fun and entertainment,” said Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, chairman of event organiser International Expo-Consults. Now in its 17th year, DEAL attracts manufacturers, operators and distributors representing the full spectrum of the out-of-home leisure sector, including theme parks, family entertainment centres, waterparks, zoos, museums, heritage centres, go-kart tracks, coin-operated amusements, security systems and vending. According to IEC, DEAL 2011 was the largest in the
event’s 17-year history, with a 20 per cent growth on last year’s figures. “Covered floor space for the show was 14 per cent up on last year, while the number of new exhibitors increased by 25 per cent,” the company said in its official post-show statement. “In total, more than 200 firms exhibited at the show, while more than 4,000 visitors were in attendance. By the end of the exhibition, 80 per cent of exhibitors had pledged to return next year.”
Added success for UK
companies The 10 UK companies receiving UKTi grant support for
DEAL 2011 reported huge interest in their products and services, despite the usual average attendance being hit by the much-reported civil unrest within the Middle East. According to ALES-UK, the trade association representing
British amusement and leisure equipment suppliers, more than £1m worth of orders were transacted during the show
18 18 InterPark May-June 2011
Huss CEO Mirko Schulze and colleague Christine Althausen
and companies anticipate that a further potential £4m could be achieved within the next 12 months. ALES secretary Gerry Robinson organised and presented
the accompanying seminar programme, now in its 4th year, which saw a substantial increase in the total delegate attendance from its previous record of 181 to 354. “All in all,” Robinson stated, “despite the regional
difficulties surrounding the event this was a spectacular result for UK companies and emphasises the importance of DEAL as the major networking opportunity for the attractions industry within the Middle East and North Africa region.”
Huss Rides After what it considered a quieter show last year, regular
DEAL exhibitor Huss Rides of Germany said it was pleased with the 2011 edition of the expo. “In addition to several well-known clients, we were able
to get in touch with numerous new clients,” said CEO Mirko Schulze. “During the show this year we were promoting the complete set of existing products. In addition, we introduced a selection of new concepts to a range of selected clients to obtain comments and feedback. “Over the last years we all had to realise the close
connection of this market to the global economic situation. We do and will keep on paying close attention to the Middle East leisure market and are prepared to accompany the market in the next years under all circumstances.”
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