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International Expo-Consults announces the DEAL 2011 Awards to recognize industry innovation and excellence
Innovators and entrepreneurs from the Middle East's amusements industry are to be recognized with a start-studded Awards programme as part of the 2011 edition of the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure (DEAL) expo, taking place in April.
''The first Awards will take place at DEAL 2011, rewarding innovation and excellence in the region's amusement industry, as well as showcasing the incredible development of family entertainment centres and themeparks across the region,'' said Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, president of International Expo-Consults (IEC), organisers of DEAL.
The Awards are a collaboration between IEC and InterGame magazine, and will be open to companies operating in the Gulf, wider Levant and North Africa region.
Award categories are yet to be finalized, but it is expected that theme park, family entertainment centre (FEC) and water park innovations will be central components to the awards programme, along with providing recognition to industry leaders.
The Middle East's amusement industry has seen year on year growth of 10 percent with industry experts valuing it at anything between US$500 million and US$1 billion, pointing to its growing importance as an industry sector.
Large-scale theme park developments may have been shelved due to the current economic situation, but the market is still showing growth, with FECs proving viable business opportunities for developments and industry suppliers.
There are approximately 70 theme parks in the GCC and about 100 FECs, with new developments such as Kidzania at Dubai Mall and iFly Dubai at Mirdiff City centre showcasing new product innovations. It is FECs like these that will be the main focus of the DEAL Awards 2011.
The Awards have been set up to acknowledge the fact that the amusements industry in the Middle East has shown more ambition and expansion than any other geographic sector in the world.
''The industry is in the hands of entrepreneurs, individually and collectively colourful people. They love the glamour and the recognition that awards will bring. Perhaps more powerful an argument is that it will encourage the industry to strive harder to refine and polish its image and its product, benefiting everyone,'' said David Snook, editor, InterGame, media sponsor of the Awards.
''InterGame became involved in these Awards because we want to put something tangible back into the industry which has served us so well.''
DEAL 2010 expo, held at Dubai World Trade Centre April 25~27, showed strong market resilience with nearly 5,000 visitors from over 50 countries in attendance. DEAL 2011 will take place April 4~6 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Substantial industry support for DEAL is given by the Amusement Industry Council of Europe, including Association Fabricantes Y Exp. Maquinas de la Foia de Bunyol (Spain) Associazone Nazionale Costruttori Attrezzature, Spettcoli Viaggianti (Italy); Amusement & Leisure Equipment Suppliers of the UK; American Amusement Manufacturers Association); International Association for the Leisure & Entertainment Industries; India Association of Amusement Parks & Industries; and the World Water Park Association.
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