H.E. Khalid bin Sulayem opens Dubai Entertainment Expo

The exhibition, dedicated to the amusements and leisure industry, will showcase the very latest in rides, games and play equipment; water facilities; audiovisual and theater equipment, as well as local exhibitors promoting regional attractions.

Over 150 companies from 30 countries are promoting their products at the show this week, with thousands of trade visitors expected.

"Dubai continues to be the epicenter of the Middle East's amusements industry, with development and product enhancement continuing at great speed. The success of the 15th edition of DEAL is testament to the fact that the region's appetite for fun continues to grow, despite the global credit crisis,"

said Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, President of show organisers, International Expo-Consults (IEC).

Rania Laing, Vice-President of Megatouch Middle East, a company specialised in supplying amusements, agrees that Dubai's potential continues to grow.

"DEAL is the most important industry exhibition in the Middle East. It's the perfect forum to meet new customers and discuss new business. We have been regular exhibitors since DEAL started and have had always had a good response to our participation. DEAL is a show that tends to bring quality investors as well as being the perfect platform to showcase our products and services," she said.

Megatouch is one of the fastest growing Family Entertainment Centre (FEC) consultancies in the Middle East. The company currently has multiple projects throughout Syria and Jordan as well as two in Saudi Arabia and one just about to open in Abu Dhabi.

"The Middle East will always be a hub of business activity and trade. Entertainment, Amusement & Leisure activities meet a basic human need and while you have countries that are at different stages of development, you will always have opportunities to build new markets while expand and refresh current markets," Laing remarked.

UK mascot company Rainbow Productions is making its third appearance at the show this week.

Visitors to Stand G9, Zaabeel Hall B will see examples of Rainbow costume characters and puppets, with a brand new character created for the leisure sector making special guest appearances at the stand.

Simon Foulkes, Sales & Marketing Director at Rainbow Productions, said: "Rainbow Productions sees Dubai and the GCC region as an exciting market in which to do business and our decision to return to DEAL is based on our successful presence at the previous two exhibitions.

"For 2009, Rainbow Productions has developed stage shows featuring HIT Entertainment's hugely popular licensed character Bob the Builder, which have been specifically created for shopping centres in the GCC/ Middle East region. We are delighted to offer these shows to DEAL 2009 visitors."

As well as developing walk-about mascots and character shows, Rainbow Productions offers a portfolio of famous cartoon characters for meet and greet personal appearances, including Bart and Homer Simpson, Brobee, Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit, Fifi and Bumble, Dennis the Menace and the Little Princess.

DEAL 2009 will also incorporate a one-day seminar programme. Organised and presented by ALES-UK (Amusement & Leisure Equipment Suppliers), the seminar series will take place on April 27 and will tackle such topics as setting up a theme park, managing multi-use facilities and the importance of staff training. The educational component of DEAL 2009 is endorsed by TEA and AiCE, supported by UK Trade & Investment, and sponsored by EMBED.

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.