■Carrie Chan／Jasmin Zhuang
IAAPA Expo Asia 2019 (formerly Asian Attractions Expo), the attractions industry's premier event in Asia, opened at the New Shanghai International Expo Centre, Shanghai, China on June 12. Hosted by IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, IAAPA Expo Asia 2019 ran for three days until 14 June and reached a great success as well as breaking its 21-year’s record through its scale.

Return to Shanghai after 3 years!
Founded in 1918, IAAPA Association has committed itself in servicing the global attraction industry for more than 100 years, and has held industrial exhibitions throughout the world for many years. It has reached lots of achievements. In the recent year, the attraction industry in the Asia-pacific region has been developing continuously. IAAPA Asia has become the premier annual expo in the region. Held in a different location every year, IAAPA Asia aims to offer better experiences for attendees to enjoy and provide an opportunity for exhibitors to show their bright spots of the attraction industry in different regions. The show first came to Shanghai in 2016, and welcomed 11,500 visitors including 8,100 professional buyers from 79 countries and regions. They explored new ideas, gained valuable practical experience and business insights, and connected with many industry colleagues. Three years later, IAAPA Asia expo 2019 returned to Shanghai, China!

The largest trade show floor in its history
IAAPA Asia 2019 featured the largest trade show floor in the Expo's 21-year history as 429 companies from around the globe showcased innovative new products and services across 13,302 net square meters (34,500 gross square meters) in the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Among all the exhibitors, the newcomers accounted for over 14%. What’s more, numerous Chinese exhibitors attended the show, including Jiuyou, Flying, Funshare, Huangyue, Yuehua, Haiber, Leqi, Qintong, U-enjoy, Mecpower, Keku, Elephant, Daxin, Leke VR, Neofuns, Movie Power, LiMeiQi, Lulu Toy Car, Luck Amusement, Desen, G-Look, Guang Yang, IDO, Paokai, Mizone, Huale, Youcaihua, Black Lion, Fwu-Long, Mich, LX-Game, Sindrax, Letian, BingXueRunDong, Empower Intelligent, Nets Tribe, Domerry, C&Q Amusement, Qilong, Unis, and Whalap. In total, there were 130 Chinese exhibitors, which accounted for about 30 percent of the total number of exhibitors.

Various exhibits, focusing on the theme of amusement
At the show floor, exhibits covered FEC equipment, VR, rides, large-scale theme park equipment, water park equipment, video and skill games, as well as the latest in theming and design, technology applications, and more.

In the middle of last year, the games & amusement industry, especially the gift machine field began to face its “shuffle period”, and the block of the industry gradually formed. The market met its downturns. However, in the early part of this year, the hit of capsule machines seemed to bring fresh “blood” for the industry. This could be seen at every professional exhibition in the early part of 2019. But, the hit gift machines were not on show at IAAPA Asia Expo. Though the exhibits at the show floor were diversified, theme park planning, large-scaled theme park equipment, water park equipment and VR occupied a considerable proportion. Compared to last year’s show in Hong Kong, the number of games & amusement equipment including gift machines, simulators, redemption machines and children's amusement equipment was reduced by about half. It is an obvious result under the “shuffle period” of the industry.

Full of special activities and events!
IAAPA Asia 2019 offered more than 10 general education sessions with in-depth programs led by leading industry professionals from around the world. Session topics covered theme entertainment, visual media technology, safety innovation, creative design, data-driven modeling, marketing, operation, human resources, and other hot subjects. In addition, attendees could choose to join in two extensive learning lessons - IAAPA Institute for Attractions Managers and IAAPA Safety Institute. There were also 4 EDUTour activities in the form of Hello Kitty Shanghai Times, Shanghai Natural History Museum, Shanghai Disney Resort and Opening Night Reception at Haichang Ocean Park. Over 8,500 qualified buyers from 60+ countries and regions participated in IAAPA Asia.

Never stop, set off for the next stations!
To get more on the latest dynamics of the industry and assist Chinese industrial companies to expand into global markets, GTI’s managing director Angie, VP of business Chan Lijun, English Editor Carrie and Chinese Editor Jasmin set up a booth and did promotions on the show floor. Crowds formed an endless stream in front of GTI’s booth. Many professional buyers from China, Brazil, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the United States, Britain, Japan, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine and Chile, Italy, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Finland, Mexico, Israel, the Netherlands, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Russia, Poland, Turkey, Australia and other countries and regions came to consult with us, and two magazines - China Amuse, Game Time international as well as the fliers and tickets for GTI Asia China Expo fell short of demand. IAAPA Asia, as the key station of the global promotion of GTI, plays an important role. Although the show has ended, GTI’s promotion will continue. Set off for the next stops, Yiwu, Cambodia, Chengdu, the Philippines, Shenyang, Australia, Vietnam, and Thailand...we will always be committed to helping China's games to shine on the world stage!  Next year, IAAPA Asia will be held on June 9-11 in Macao, China.

※The article is published in the GTI Magazine Issue No. 177 in July 2019