IAAPA spotlights the highlights of Expo Asia 2024 held in Thailand

June 26, 2024

The IAAPA Expo Asia regional trade show and conference, returned to Thailand in 2024 for the first time in 17 years. The event was held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok and brought together industry professionals, global manufacturers, and the public to delve into the latest innovations and trends propelling the future of the attractions industry.

IAAPA Expo Asia underscored Thailand's potential as a major attractions destination owing to its thriving tourism and hospitality industry. For four full days, the QSNCC’s main hall was transformed into a comprehensive 7,800 net square metre trade show floor packed with some of the world’s most acclaimed manufacturers and suppliers showcasing industry-leading products, services, and solutions. Altogether, 352 exhibiting companies (a 23% increase from 2023) presented their products and services to a pool of 3,187 qualified buyers from across 2,480 companies (a 16% increase from 2023), with the event welcoming a total turnout of 4,623 attendees from around the world.

In addition to the innovative technologies on display were a series of insightful IAAPA education sessions and tours that ran throughout the week, as well as numerous networking opportunities for attendees to meet their industry peers and potential business partners.

Below are some of the memorable moments that made this year’s expo such a rewarding experience.

Pioneering Innovations: A Showcase of Global Exhibitors
IAAPA’s regional expos provide a platform for the world’s leading exhibitors to come together and showcase the latest innovations that are at the cutting-edge of human ingenuity. From high-tech snow machines and animatronics to immersive VR experiences and AI-powered attractions, IAAPA Expo Asia had them all, ensuring that many connections were made on the show floor to bring those technologies to the businesses that need them.

On the second day of the expo, IAAPA also announced the winners of its prestigious IAAPA Brass Ring Best Exhibit Awards. These esteemed awards honour each expo’s most outstanding exhibitors, recognising their excellence in operations and standing as a symbol of achievement within the industry. This year’s winners were evaluated on booth design, branding, staffing, product-in-booth, and overall appeal, with the full list of winners being:

LightUpToys.com
Smartec Hotel Supplies Limited
ShowTex Hong Kong Limited
HB Leisure
DOF Robotics
Jinma Rides

The winner for best overall booth went to Brogent Technologies Inc. for their impressive use of 3D effects and graphic designs, as well as their beautiful product models, colours, and theming, earning them the highly coveted IAAPA Image Award.

In addition, IAAPA Expo Asia 2024 also served as a platform to announce two exceptional awards events designed to inspire, recognise, and celebrate excellence in the attractions industry: the IAAPA Hall of Fame Awards Celebratory Affair at IAAPA Expo 2024, November 18, 2024 and the IAAPA Honors at Europa-Park, April 28-30, 2025.

Learning from Leaders: Insightful Sessions and Exclusive Tours
Alongside all the amazing exhibitors and technologies, IAAPA Expo Asia 2024 also offered a range of transformative education sessions, workshops, and tours led by renowned industry leaders.

This year’s education sessions covered a vast spectrum of topics, including personnel development, merchandise and F&B trends, revenue diversification strategies, and enhanced guest experiences. Through these sessions, attendees were able to gain valuable knowledge and learn countless ways to unlock their own business potential, whether they were a player in the attractions industry or otherwise.

In addition, IAAPA’s exclusive ‘EDUTours’ took attendees on behind-the-scenes tours through some of Thailand’s premier amusement parks and entertainment destinations, providing an immersive learning experience led by park executives. On these tours, attendees gained insights on operations and strategies for attracting and retaining guests, as well as on how these businesses are navigating ongoing and future industry challenges, creating a valuable learning opportunity that combined education, exploration, and direct interaction with industry veterans.

This year, attendees were able to visit four EDUTour destinations in Thailand:

BEAT Active
Playmondo
Siam Amazing Park
Multi-stop tour of the city of Pattaya

Building Bridges: Unparalleled Networking Opportunities

At IAAPA, networking is more than just exchanging business cards; it's about forging partnerships and friendships that serve as the foundation of any successful business venture.

On the show floor, attendees had the chance to interact with global suppliers and manufacturers, exchange contact information, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations that could propel their businesses to new heights. With 2,480 buying companies in attendance (335 more compared to last year), the expo presented even richer partnership opportunities for exhibitors.

Moreover, attendees were offered countless opportunities to mingle with industry peers and seasoned veterans. Whether it was at the lively opening reception hosted at BEAT Active (featuring a live Muay Thai match), the leadership breakfast with Coast Entertainment Holdings Group CEO Greg Yong, or IAAPA’s ‘Career Slam’ workshop for students and young professionals, every moment served as a platform to connect attendees with the visionaries driving the attractions industry.

The Future Beckons: Gearing Up for IAAPA Expo Asia 2025
In conclusion, IAAPA Expo Asia 2024 marked a triumphant return to Thailand for IAAPA, demonstrating the resilience of the attractions industry in the face of recent challenges, as well as the enduring value of the sector and its communities. The industry is not only surviving but thriving, and this momentum is set to carry forward into the future.

IAAPA’s annual expos offer an invaluable opportunity for industry professionals at all levels to discover innovative ways to evolve their businesses and realize their personal growth. As the premier trade show for the global attractions industry, IAAPA remains committed to uniting the attractions community, fostering connections, and providing a platform to facilitate the growth of its members and the industry at large.

As IAAPA bids farewell to Thailand for now, the association is already looking forward to next year’s Asia expo, scheduled to take place from 1st-3^rd July, 2025, in Shanghai, China.

Discover more at www.iaapa.org/expos/iaapa-expo-asia.

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