Formerly the Asian Attractions Expo, (AAE) the newly-named IAAPA Expo Asia (IEA) took its first steps under its new brand from 11-14 June. IEA is Asia’s leading international business event for industry professionals in the region.

More than 8,500 people from 60 countries travelled to the event from locations such as Asia, North America, Europe, the Middle East and beyond, descending on Shanghai to buy, learn and network at the hub of Asia’s multi-billion dollar attractions industry.

Over 400 companies exhibited over the course of three days, presenting the latest products and services, including rides, virtual reality attractions, motion simulators, waterpark attractions, videogames, design and theming services, ticketing solutions, food and beverages, and more. At 13,000sq m, the trade show floor was the largest in the event’s history.

Joe Schott, president and general manager at Shanghai Disney, delivered the event’s keynote speech during the Leadership Breakfast on 13 June. Also speaking were Luke Riley, senior vice president of Village Roadshow, and June Ko executive director and vice president of IAAPA Asia Pacific Operations.

Also on offer were IEA’s education programme, which offered a wide variety of learning opportunities.

Attendees to the show took part in a number of special events and networking opportunities throughout the event. Key highlights included the Opening Night Reception at the new Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, a safety EDUTour of Shanghai Disney Resort and a post-show four-day tour of Hangzhou.

Holovis - Booth: 1632
Holovis and partners KingJoy showcased their next generation of Li-Fly the world’s first true Flying Theatre.

The technology experience designer has ‘re-volved’ the traditional experience by taking guests out of their seats and letting them soar through content as if truly flying.

This patented and scalable attraction is a complete multi-sensory experience, combining visuals, audio and synched motion with SFX and real-time media, connected to data capture which measure guest reactions and take them on a personalised journey.

Vekoma - Booth: 1322
Vekoma Rides is one of the largest rollercoaster manufacturers in the world, with many installed family and thrill coasters, and special attractions to its name.

The company has almost 20 coasters opening globally in 2019 alone.

With all disciplines under one roof, Vekoma has gained worldwide recognition.

With a presence in more than 40 countries, as well as corporate offices in The Netherlands and representations worldwide, the manufacturer comes to Shanghai to meet with buyers and showcase its portfolio.

JRA - Booth: 1202
JRA plans, designs, and realises visitor experiences for theme parks, visitor centres and museums around the world. The company helps clients realise their vision, whether they want to create an entirely new attraction or refresh an existing one.

JRA has created a number of award-winning projects, which combine imaginative design and storytelling with solid operational planning to achieve clients’ operational goals. On offer at the JRA booth were a multitude of recently opened projects, as well as an exciting preview of what’s to come.

DreamCraft Attractions - Booth: 2762
DreamCraft is pioneering fully immersive experiences using advanced VR and AR technology. The company has secured two major patents since 2016 and continues to contribute to the next wave of immersive experiences.

Picsolve - Booth: 2812
An evolution of the popular panoramic Super Selfie, Picsolve introduced its Epic Selfie at this year’s Asian Attractions Expo.

The technology takes users to fantastical new worlds and iconic destinations, with Picsolve producing a video that begins with a selfie and dramatically zooms out to reveal a panoramic backdrop.

The first installation is set to go live this year at one of Merlin’s London attractions.

Triotech - Booth: 1602
Triotech is the creator of award-winning immersive and interactive media-based experiences. The supplier brought its XD Dark Ride interactive theatre experience to the IAE show floor in Shanghai, where it presented its brand-new film Carnival.

Earlier this year, Triotech launched The Flyer San Francisco and visitors to the Triotech booth were able to learn more about this flying theatre project, as well as its key offerings, including interactive theatres, interactive dark rides, 4D theatres, VR attractions, flying theatres, walkthroughs and dark coasters.

Lagotronics - Booth: 2122
Lagotronics Projects provides turnkey solutions for theme parks, FECs, museums and experience centres. From interactive dark rides, outdoor rides, VR and AR projects, the supplier can supply a wide range of show experiences. Its latest project is the interactive Farm Fair Dark Ride at Nagashima Spa Land in Japan. Another recent project is Tekzone, an FEC in Kuwait, where it delivered AV and lighting shows. This year, the company celebrates its 40-year anniversary.

Seeper
Seeper designs and builds for visitor attractions and events.

Recently launching at Little Big City in Beijing China, as well as Sealife in Sydney is a new projection mapped head technology. Seeper is also supplying interactive Lego Playtables across the globe.

The company provides technical and creative design and delivery as a part of a turnkey service. This includes everything from software development for interactive VR, AR, mobile and gesture, through to 3D animation and projection mapping, live-action film, audio, show and lighting design and programming.

Huss - Booth: 1222
Huss Park Attractions GmbH has announced that it has installed two major attractions, a Top Spin Suspended and a Giant Frisbee 40, at a brand new park in India.

Called Magic Mountain Park, the Huss attractions offer two key, high capacity rides for the venue’s target market, while also being important additions from an operational point of view.

Kraftwerk - Gold Sponsor
Audiovisual system integrator Kraftwerk promoted its technical expertise in media-based attractions as a Gold Sponsor of this year's show.

The company recently completed the largest contract in its history at the Tongguan Kiln International Cultural and Tourism Center in Changsha, China – a state-of-the-art flying theatre attraction and a 800-seat turn-key 5D theatre installation at a brand-new cultural centre.

Kraftwerk has also completed its first Hybrid Dome installation in Germany at Experimenta in Heilbronn (see p72)

Whitewater - Booth: 1430
WhiteWater showcased the world's longest Spinning Rapids Ride at this year's IAE.

Located at Haichang Polar Ocean World in Shanghai, it’s also the first Spinning Rapids Ride in China.

Vantage – the company's newest tech product – elevates the guest experience and gives operators in-depth insights into visitor patterns.

WhiteWater also revealed world firsts at Wanda Wuxi and Wanda Guangzhou, details of which will be announced soon.

Red Raion - Booth: 3232
Red Raion, the CGI studio specialising in media-based attractions, attended IAAPA Asia for the first time.

With an in-house studio, the company produces custom-built content for venues with a strong theming and offers ready-made CGI films under license.

The company also premiered its latest immersive movie – Aladdin - The Bachelor Party – which will be available for licensing in VR, XD, and dome formats.

Clip 'n Climb - Booth: 2162
Clip 'n Climb exhibited its colourful climbing challenges at IEA.

The company invited visitors to discover its latest range of outdoor challenges, including brand new Ascendor – a 26ft climbing challenge.

Clip ‘n Climb also shared details of its 17-Challenge climbing zone at the Kaisa Kingdom in Huizhou, China.

Polin - Booth: 1150
Polin Waterparks has had a busy year designing rides and experiences, which it showcased at this year's show.

Among the highlights were a look at the world's first fully transparent composite waterslide and a hologram model of Polin’s newest waterslide – Stardust – which allows riders to impact their journey through its twists and turns.

Polin also displayed its Splash Bucket, a competitive interactive game.

Forrec - Booth: 1142
Creating entertainment designs for places of escape, Forrec has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands.

Visitors who stopped by the Forrec booth were able to see its latest projects which are slated to open next year, including Changsha Dawang Deep Pit Water World. This site’s unique elevation allowed the team to design a multi-level waterpark.

In addition to waterparks, Forrec designs theme parks, visitor attractions, mixed-use entertainment and resorts.

Simworx - Booth: 1650
Simworx’s capabilities extend from full turnkey solutions, custom attractions, product development, manufacturing and service support, to film content, motion programming and themed attractions.

In addition to projects within the UK, Simworx has designed, built and installed its products throughout the world, including in Europe, North America, South America, Asia and the Middle East. They’re also due to begin installing fourteen new attractions for one client in China in 2019, along with attractions in Vietnam and Indonesia currently undergoing their installation.

Vortex - Booth: 1258
Vortex showcased its latest family adventure attraction – RiverQuest – at this year’s IAE in Shanghai.

Combining river rides and waterslides with multi-sensory dreamscapes, RiverQuest is designed as an adventure ride for the entire family to enjoy together. Its highlights include a DreamTunnel and DreamPassage – immersive areas that are designed to surprise riders.

Zamperla - Booth: 1330
A major project for Zamperla in 2019 will be the creation of a new indoor themed Family Entertainment Centre within FICO, the largest agri-food park in the world, in Bologna, Italy.

Guests will enter the FEC from the back of a ‘farmhouse’ and find themselves in a typical Italian farm, which will feature 12 rides.

The attraction will be created operated and managed by Zamperla.

The development, due to open in Q3 2019, will mark the return of Zamperla to park management in Italy, after the success of Luna Park in Coney Island, US and Victorian Gardens in New York City.