Show Review
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Mirroring the rise of the parks and attractions industry in Asia, IAAPA's recent Asian Attractions Expo (AAE) was one of its most successful to date. Owen Ralph reports from Hong Kong
ASIAN ATTRACTIONS EXPO IAAPA enjoys success in Hong Kong
reliminary estimates suggest 5,150 people attended the three-day trade show (June 6 to 8) and supporting activities, 3,220 of whom were classed as qualified buyers. With over 6,300 square metres of exhibits from 274 exhibitors, visitors from 65 nations were able to browse the largest show floor ever at AAE. “Attractions industry veterans and newcomers alike understand the rapid industry growth in Asia provides great opportunity,” commented IAAPA's vice-president of Asia-Pacific operations, Andrew Lee. “Whether buying or exhibiting, more and more companies from around the globe look to Asian Attractions Expo as a must-attend event.”
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More than 1,500 people sat in on the various AAE education sessions provided during the week, including seminars on social media, maximising revenue and attraction design, plus Leaderships Breakfasts from OCT vice-president Wu Si Yuan and Hong Kong Disneyland managing director Andrew Kam. Offered for the first time at AAE, the day-long IAAPA Institute for Attractions Managers was a sold- out affair.
Chris Yoshi of AECOM launches the Theme Index attractions report
Evening events at Ocean Park and Disneyland were augmented by additional networking opportunities including the Young Professionals Reception on the eve of the show and a post-event mixer from the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association). Exclusive tours made available to AAE attendees included “Disney at Dawn”, a behind-the- scenes visit to the Ngong Ping 360 cable car at Lantau Island and a weekend trip to Chimelong Resort in Guangzhou.
“I’ve been coming [to AAE] for four or five years
Darrell Metzger (Themed Attractions Malaysia) speaks at the ‘What’s New in Asia’ session alongside IAAPA vice- -chairman Mario Mamon (Enchanted Kingdom, Philippines) and Tom Mehrmann (Ocean Park, Hong Kong)
now, and it’s scaled up phenomenally in that short time,” observed Mike Barclay, CEO of Singapore's Sentosa Development Corporation. “What I’m beginning to see is some innovation that is born and bred in Asia being reflected here. The energy that’s here is phenomenal; just look at the turnout for the educational sessions – the hunger for learning is really strong.”
Development continues Fears that new theme park development in China may be slowing due to a government directive limiting facilities of a certain size seemed relatively unfounded. There were, noted Chris Yoshi of AECOM, certain loopholes developers could exploit – such as not explicitly calling them theme parks. Yoshi was speaking at a lunch to mark the release of the Theme Index attendance report for 2011. Fortunately, “there is a willingness to pay a decent amount” for existing parks in China, most of which are charging in excess of RMB150 (US$24/€19). In Hong Kong, where attractions can generally command a higher fee, the city is now benefitting from an increased tourism offer, witnessed by the recent formation of the Hong Kong Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (HKAAPA), one of this year's new exhibitors. Another first-timer was local company Cypress
Productions. “We are happy to have access to many of the people in the industry from around the world,” reported Kevin Ng. “This was a successful Expo.” “The growth within China is great for what we do,” reported Gary Wang of Unite Art from Shenzhen, which has completed theming and design work for many leading players including OCT and the Chimelong group. Currently working on the latter's new Ocean Kingdom resort in Zhuhai, Wang says his company was also seeking projects internationally. Based in Shanghai, the Leaders Group is the only company within China offering a “one stop shop” for theme park planning, design and construction, according to vice-president Ryan Li. Set up in 2007, the company's directors boast over 200 years' combined industry experience and were on hand at AAE with a large booth to assist clients. Known as both a theme park operator (under the
Fantawild banner) and supplier, Hytechnology was attending the show with several objectives. “We are here to sell our 3D equipment and technology, consult with parks and find new joint venture partners,” Anna Kuang informed Park World.
Ryan Li of The Leaders Group, a Chinese attractions consultancty
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Smiles all round from Bombay Amusement Rides’ Leena Kapoor and Pradip Sharma
A rare photo of OmniTicket’s John Davies (right) with colleagues Mahdi Abdullahii and Kimberly Lim
JULY 2012
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