International amusement park and attractions show IAAPA Expo Asia, last held in Singapore in 2017, was “sold out” with 287 exhibitors, including 64 first-timers, taking up 7,000m² of space at Marina Bay Sands.
The show took place from June 13-16, 2023, and hosted 47 exhibitors from North America, 83 from Europe and 150 from Asia; comprising sellers from China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Macau, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, according to IAAPA. China and Hong Kong made up the biggest block with 118 exhibitors, and 107 were from the mainland.
June Ko, executive director and vice president, IAAPA Asia Pacific, told TTG Asia that some brands which had merged since 2019 returned this year, and the association managed to bring in new buyers from new regions like Europe.
The four-day event recorded 5,330 registered attendees from 75 different countries and regions, including 3,764 qualified buyers from 2,145 companies.
Exhibitor highlights this year included entertainment design company Legacy Entertainment showcasing its “destination dining initiative” in North Jakarta which combines retail and entertainment in a sustainable way.
Described as a floating metropolis, the Batavia Pantai Indah Kapuk mega-development is billed as the world’s first overwater retail destination featuring more than 40 restaurants, retail outlets, attractions and live entertainment.
Opened in early June just ahead of the expo, a spokesperson said the project, which is the size of San Francisco, will be completed by end-2023.
On the technology front, DOF Robotics specialising in AR and VR immersive attractions gave attendees the chance to test its enhanced Hurricane VR 360 attraction and the debut of its new VR movie Homeland: Rise of Nomads.
The expo agenda included 11 EduTours, some across the causeway to Genting SkyWorlds and Gamuda Cove in Selangor, 30 EduSessions, and a Young Professionals Forum and Reception special event.
IAAPA Expo Asia 2024 is scheduled to take place in Bangkok from May 27-30.
