Around 4,500 industry professionals are expected in Hong Kong next month for Asia’s largest theme park and attractions conference and trade show.
by IAAPA, Asian Attractions Expo (AAE) takes place in the Chinese Special Administrative Region for the first time in several years.
“IAAPA’s Asian Attractions Expo is the attractions industry’s one event in Asia that offers participants countless sophisticated learning opportunities combined with events designed to connect industry professionals,” highlights IAAPA president and CEO, Chip Cleary.
In addition to more than 275 trade show exhibits from 30 countries, five days of education sessions and networking activities are planned including tours and behind-the-scenes access to local attractions, Leadership Breakfasts, a day-long IAAPA Safety Institute and IAAPA Institute for Attractions Managers (June 3 to 5).
Seminar topics include employee engagement, attraction design/concept development, maximising revenue, marketing, industry trends and social media. Speakers confirmed for the Leadership Breakfast sessions, on June 7 and 8 respectively, are Hong Kong Disneyland managing director Andrew Kam and Wu Siyuan, chairman of OCT Vision.
Ahead of the main show, a Young Professionals Reception will be held on Tuesday night at Sky 100 observation deck in Kowloon. Don’t worry if you’ve got the odd grey hair, you should still be able to get in so long as you’ve got a ticket! On Wednesday and Thursday night respectively, social events will be held at Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland. If, however you’d like to have a detailed look at either park you might be better visiting independently of AAE, as each event lasts only a few hours, including networking.
A highlight of tour programme, just announced, is a “Disney at Dawn” backstage visit on Tuesday morning, June 5. Buses leave the Renaissance Harbor View Hotel at 0430, but those willing to forego a few hours’ sleep should enjoy a unique view of the park including a sneak peek of the Grizzly Gulch coaster and a question and answer session with Hong Kong Disneyland executives.
Straight after the Expo finishes on Friday evening, there will be a trip and behind-the-scenes access to the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, and then on Saturday there is a three day-tour (June 9 to 11) to Chimelong Resort in Guangzhou, for which participants will require a Chinese visa.
Since 1997, Asian Attractions Expo has appeared in a variety of cities including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Shanghai, Bangkok and Macau. However Hong Kong, with its rich mix of attractions, shopping, food, drink, and nightlife, plus excellent public transport, make it a particularly popular destination. So don’t miss it!
AAE 2012 takes place from June 5 to 8 (trade show June 6 onwards at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. More information, registration fees, tour prices, travel advice etc, click here.
