Largest-Ever Asian Attractions Expo Opens in Shanghai Today

The event, which runs until 16 June, is the most comprehensive international trade show and conference in Asia for the amusement parks and attractions industry

The largest-ever Asian Attractions Expo (AAE) opens its doors at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, in Shanghai, China, today (14 June 2016). The event, which runs until 16 June, is the most comprehensive international trade show and conference in Asia for the amusement parks and attractions industry. AAE is organized by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) – the largest international trade association for the global attractions industry.

This year’s show is on an unprecedented scale, with more than 350 exhibiting companies occupying 11,500 net square meters of show floor area – a 22 percent increase over last year’s edition of the show in Hong Kong. More than 8,000 industry professionals, including 6,000 buyers, from more than 65 countries and regions are expected to attend.

The annual Expo is a vital trading platform where industry professionals can buy, learn, and network.

l   Buy: Attendees can experience the latest innovative ideas and products on the trade show floor. Exhibitors will present state-of-the-art rides, virtual reality experiences, motion simulators, water attractions, video and skill games, theming, technology, food-and-beverage innovations, and more.

l   Learn: 11 education programs – the most at any AAE – take place from 13-16 June and will enable industry professionals at all experience levels to obtain valuable knowledge and skills from expert presenters and experienced industry leaders. They will also gain useful insights into market trends and best practices at events such as the Leadership Breakfast (15 June), which features a keynote address by Jim Seay, ICAE, Chairman, IAAPA Global Safety Committee – a world-recognized authority on amusement ride safety.

l   Network: A full program of six special events will help attendees extend and reinforce their business networks, and give them a look at some of the Shanghai-area’s newest and most popular attractions. These events allow international attractions industry professionals, from top executives to managers, suppliers, and those just beginning their industry careers, to connect or reconnect with fellow industry players in a relaxed atmosphere.

IAAPA President and CEO Paul Noland, who officiated the AAE opening ceremony, said, “The attractions industry is thriving in Asia, with the number of theme parks, water parks, museums, resorts, and other attractions across the region increasing rapidly, investments are expanding, and attendance figures booming.” Noland went on to say, “The attractions industry in the Asia-Pacific region is leading the world market in terms of visitors. Sustaining this growth will depend upon the industry’s ability to deliver new and quality experiences. Finding, developing, and delivering those experiences is the focus of Asian Attractions Expo. The Expo is the place where the industry’s leading international companies meet with the region’s key stakeholders to demonstrate the latest technology and most advanced creative ideas.”

On-site registration for AAE is available throughout the event. More information is available at www.IAAPA.org/AsianAttractionsExpo.