Business is Booming
Featuring the largest trade show floor in event history, IAAPA Expo Asia (formerly Asian Attractions Expo) had a record-breaking year with more than 11,400 industry professionals from 80 countries in attendance. The four days of education sessions, networking events, and trade show floor action in Shanghai drew more people than ever before. “The attractions industry is vibrant with creativity and cutting-edge technology,” said David Rosenberg, ICAE, vice president, Monterey Bay Aquarium and 2019 Chairman of the IAAPA Board of Directors. “I am proud of our association for helping bring industry professionals from all over the Asia-Pacific region together to learn from, connect with, and inspire each other.”
Historic Trade Show Floor
The total of 8,100 qualified buyers, a 25% increase over last year’s show in Hong Kong, walked the 13,302-net-square-meter trade show floor to discover innovations from 429 companies. “IAAPA Expo Asia 2019 exceeded our expectations,” said IAAPA President and CEO Hal McEvoy. “Attendees from all over the world came together in Shanghai to discover innovative new ways to grow their businesses.”
For the first time at the show, IAAPA presented the IAAPA Best Exhibit Award (see p. 42). “At IAAPA Expo Asia, we saw a great many industry giants, excellent competitors, and quality potential clients from the amusement industry,” said Xia Qiu of Guangzhou Style Arts, one of the winning exhibitors. “We were so excited to be there.”
Insights from Experts
This year’s event featured the Leadership Breakfast with Joe Schott, president and general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort. Schott’s address to a sold-out crowd (see p. 30) was just one highlight of a week full of education sessions, tours of area attractions, and IAAPA’s Institute programs. “The thing I appreciate the most about all IAAPA Expos is connecting with like-minded professionals. It’s always a great week of networking, relationship building, and learning, and always leaves me feeling inspired and motivated about what’s possible,” said Brad Loxley, chief operating officer of Sun World in Vietnam. “After spending six months working in a developing market, it was really helpful for me to connect with others who have ‘been there, done that’—to hear about their similar experiences, successes, and failures; to validate my own thoughts and direction; and just to laugh together.”
Speakers from 10 countries addressed industry topics including safety, operations, marketing, trends in China, and data-driven decision-making. “The audience was very engaged throughout the presentation, and their response was enthusiastic,” said speaker Paul Pei, president ParkAD LLC. “At the conclusion, many approached me with excellent reviews about the contents and delivery of the presentation.”
An Event Like No Other
“IAAPA hosts world-class events where industry professionals learn from each other and implement these new ideas at their companies, parks, and attractions,” said June Ko, executive director and vice president, IAAPA Asia Pacific. “We are proud to provide IAAPA Expo Asia, the exclusive event for attractions industry professionals in this region.”
Read on to discover the excitement of this year’s groundbreaking IAAPA Expo IAAPA Expo Asia 2019 broke records with more than 11,400 industry professionals in attendance. Asia.