SEPTEMBER 2010

Asian Attractions Expo pulls in record numbers

Andrew Mellor - Amusement Today

Held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in mid-July, this year’s IAAPA Asian Attractions Expo turned out to be a record breaking event – and in more ways than one!

The four day conference and trade show, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, broke previous event records for the total number of participants and buyers in attendance, the size of the trade show floor and attendance figures for the conference program.

The organizers estimated that approximately 4,750 people participated in the event, including 3,250 buyers from 40 countries, representing a 34 percent increase in the total number of buying companies and an 11 percent increase in the total number of buyers when compared to the previous year’s event.

“We are extremely pleased with the record-breaking results for Asian Attractions Expo 2010 in Kuala Lumpur,” said IAAPA Chairman Chip Cleary. “Our co-hosts, MAATFA and AALARA, and our sponsors, Arihant, Jack Rouse Associates and Kraftwerk, provided significant support for this year’s event and played a key role in that success. For that, we are grateful.”

Dato’ Richard Koh, President of Malaysian Association of Amusement Themepark and Family Attractions (MAATFA) said: “This is the first time the Asian Attractions Show has been held in Malaysia. But we couldn’t have predicted this would be the greatest and largest show ever in Asia. As the co-host, we are very satisfied with the results. The show outcome was beyond expectations.”

For the Australian Amusement Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA), association President Robert Bradley said, “It was a tremendous opportunity for our group of over 120 to represent the Australian industry at this major event attended by the Asian attractions industry and leaders of industry from Europe and the United States. The feedback I received from the many Australian delegates who attended was a fabulous event providing an interesting and insightful education program, diverse trade exhibition, fun evening social functions at Aquaria and Sunway Lagoon in an exciting city undergoing a huge amount of growth in attractions and development. I am sure we all brought back great ideas for our businesses.”

The trade show itself saw an impressive increase in the number of exhibiting companies taking part, with this being up almost 50 percent on the 2009 show. A total of 212 companies took part.

Asian Attractions Expo 2011 will be held at the convention center at Singapore’s new destination resort, Resorts World Sentosa, from June 21-24.

U.K. seaside venues add 4D effects theatres from Simworx

Two U.K. venues have opened exciting new family attractions for the 2010 season from 4D effects theatre specialist Simworx.

The Grand Pier in Weston- Super-Mare, near Bristol, and Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach on the Suffolk coast, have both added new 4D effects theatres from the U.K. based specialist, adding more family fun and excitement and a totally new type of attraction to their offerings.

Devastated by a fire in July 2008, the Grand Pier is on schedule to re-open this summer/ early fall following a £39 million rebuilding program, which includes state-of-the-art rides and attractions. Among these is a new, 51-seat, 4D effects theatre from Simworx, who have completed a full turnkey project, incorporating the theatre into the new Pavilion building.

Featuring grandstand seating, the theatre also utilises full HD 3D projection, a Christie high definition sound system, special effects lighting and numerous 4D effects, such as seat vibration, water spray, leg ticklers, wind blowers, low smoke and bubbles. Several films will be available which can be changed on a regular basis to take into account the high number of repeat visitors who come to the pier. Those due to be shown include the award winning World War II epic The Mission, the fast action paced Ravine Racer and the fun-filled, award winning pirate adventure Curse of Skull Rock.

“Having decided to install a 4D theatre, Simworx was the clear winner when it came to choosing a supplier,” said pier owner Kerry Michael. “We are delighted with the results and I’m sure our visitors will enjoy the experience for many years to come.”

At Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, Simworx has installed a 30-seat 4D effects theatre which is the first such attraction in the area. Opened in June, the attraction is housed in an existing building which previously accommodated a simulator ride from another supplier and was totally revamped with the latest technology relating to the new theatre. This again includes a Christie high definition sound system, special effects lighting and various 4D effects, such as seat vibration, leg ticklers, water spray, wind and bubbles.

The films to be shown in the Great Yarmouth theatre are Curse of Skull Rock and a new film currently in production called Dracula 4D, a “spooky” action comedy suitable for all the family. The two films will be alternated throughout the season.

“This has been something we’ve been looking at for a couple of years,” commented Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach Managing Director Albert Jones, “in particular because of the weather in the early and late part of the season; we are trying to add more indoor attractions. It caters for all ages from toddlers to senior citizens, as well as being accessible by the disabled. 3D is ‘in’ at the moment, too, so it’s good to do something topical and that the public is talking about.

“We went to the IAAPA show in the U.S. last year and looked at several different suppliers but decided to go with Simworx,” he continued. “The new theatre replaces a motion simulator we had previously and we’ve done all the building works and design on the outside to Simworx’s specifications. We are having two films, Curse of Skull Rock and Dracula 4D, and will probably run each one every couple of hours. We wanted two films so we can cater for repeat visitors, which we get a lot of, and give them something different to watch.”

Commenting on the two projects, Simworx Managing Director Terry Monkton said: “I’m delighted to have secured these two quite different projects at two of the U.K.’s most popular seaside resorts. It’s been a pleasure to be involved in the re-building plans at the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare and I’m sure our theatre there will become a very popular part of the overall experience provided. At Great Yarmouth, again we’re very proud to bring to a traditional seaside amusement park an attraction which features some of the latest, state-of-the-art technology which I feel will add another dimension to the vast array of rides and attractions on offer. I’m confident both projects will be very successful.”

www.simworx.co.uk