IAAPA’s annual Asian Attractions Expo (AAE) ran in Singapore June 13-16 this year, attracting more than 7,500 trade people and handily displaying the continued growth of the attractions industry in that part of the world. IAAPA reports that nearly 50 percent of the buyers present were first time attendees, and participation in the Expo’s education sessions nearly doubled from last year. Similarly, the event’s trade show floor was the second largest in history at 10,170 square meters.
Since 2013, when the event was last held in Singapore, the number of owners, execs, managers and attractions industry leaders grew by 42 percent, reported the association. (The show moves around Asia in an effort to attract a broader audience from multiple countries.) “The excitement this week was felt throughout the show floor, the educations sessions, and the events as participants gathered,” said Paul Noland, IAAPA’s CEO and president.
As soon as the show floor emptied, IAAPA officials were already hard at work on next year’s event, which will be held at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention center June 5-8. IAAPA says advanced exhibit sales are strong for the show already, with more than 200 companies already reserved. More information will be available later this year, and other details can be found on the IAAPA website here.
