The 14th edition of the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement & Leisure Show (DEAL 2008), taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre April 20-22, 2008, will break all records on previous editions, with exhibitor numbers already up by 20%.
Some 200 companies from around the world will converge on Dubai this month to exhibit the very latest in entertainment and amusement products. Rides, games and play equipment; water facilities; audiovisual and theatre equipment; and decorations will all be showcased at the DEAL exhibition.
The Middle East is considered one of the most dynamic leisure markets worldwide, with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) tipping regional growth in leisure and tourism projects to reach US$3 trillion over the next 20 years.
“With regional projects such as Dubailand, the Aquaventure waterpark at The Palm’s Atlantis, and a Universal City all planned or under development, regional growth in entertainment and leisure is set to skyrocket,” said Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, President of show organisers International Expo Consults (IEC).
“Ensuring that the Middle East remains innovative in its amusements offering is the cornerstone of DEAL’s philosophy. The show promises to bring an even greater number of exhibitors to Dubai this year, each of whom will bring something new and unique to the market. For owners and developers of theme parks and leisure facilities DEAL is a ‘must visit’ show,” he added.
Entertainment and leisure growth is abundant across the Middle East. Abu Dhabi is set to open a Ferrari World and Warner Brothers theme park, while Ras Al Khaimah and Qatar are both working on mammoth entertainment projects.
Last year’s DEAL exhibition saw over one million dollars worth of contracts signed during the show. Falaknaz is confident that this record will be beaten once again with DEAL 2008.
“We are expecting a much larger visitor turnout based on the enormous growth in the industry. Simultaneously, more business will be done on the show floor and we anticipate major ‘deals’ being signed,” he remarked.
Major exhibitor categories will be Amusement Parks, Theme Park Design, Coin Operated Machines, and Inflatables. Ice Skating will also make its appearance as a new category for 2008, following on the success of indoor ice and snow facilities such as Ski Dubai.
Inflatables specialists ProFab is exhibiting at DEAL for the first time, as the European company looks to enter the fast growing Middle East market.
“The DEAL 2008 show provides an ideal opportunity for presenting our products and services to an entirely different and potentially wider market,” said Christopher Allen, Export Manager, ProFab.
“Clearly, the Middle-East represents a huge market that we have only just started to fully realise. We believe that over the next few years we will see very significant developments within the inflatables industry in the Middle-East and it is essential that we remain aware of the potential growth factors that are going to be apparent and maintain a high profile by attending such exhibitions,” he added.
Technology is another big growth area for DEAL 2008.
“The Middle East is the next big growth market for Embed and we are expecting to be a very important part of our business in the next few years,” confirmed Adam Steinberg, managing director of Embed, a company specialising in Point of Sale technology.
“The development of entertainment and leisure facilities in the Middle East is occurring at an incredible pace and the quality of these developments is very high. Our customers in this region are very discerning and are looking for the best quality products and services to facilitate this development which is why we feel Embed has a great place in this market,” he added.
DEAL 2008 will welcome some 200 exhibitors, all showcasing the very latest in entertainment, amusement and leisure products. DEAL takes place from April 20-22 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The exhibition is open to trade only and admission is free.
DEAL shows have the support of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the premier international trade association representing permanently situated amusement facilities and the manufacturers and suppliers that serve them globally.
DEAL is also supported by the Amusement Industry Council of Europe, including Association Fabricantes Y Exp. Maquinas de la Foia de Bunyol, Associazone Nazionale Costruttori Attrezzature, Spettcoli Viaggianti; Amusement & Leisure Equipment Suppliers of the UK; American Amusement Manufacturers Assocation); International Association for the Leisure & Entertainment; India Association of Amusement Parks & Industries; and the World Waterpark Association.
