Representatives from most major attractions throughout the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East met with a record number of manufacturers and suppliers, purchased new rides, participated in educational events, and networked with other industry professionals during Asian Attractions Expo 2008. Preliminary estimates indicate that nearly 2,600 people from more than 40 countries participated in the event, which took place at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel July 16-18 in Macau, China. 

Largest Exhibit Floor in Event History
Owners, executives, and managers from amusement parks, waterparks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, and mega-resorts throughout the region met and negotiated with representatives from a record 167 exhibiting companies from 25 countries. Exhibitors showcased new ride models, innovative new attraction designs, entertainment productions, inflatables, animatronic figures, games equipment, creative services, and more. Trade show floor booths covered 3,248 net square meters of exhibit space (30 percent larger than in 2007) in the convention center at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel.

Exhibitors Pleased with Buyer Quality
Dave Sandstrom from Bob's Space Racers said, "We signed a deal on day one, and that's the first time in my 14 years in the business I have ever managed to do so. That's proof that the Asian Attractions Expo attracts serious buyers."

"For us it has been a great show,” said Kevin J. Rohwer of attraction manufacturer S&S Worldwide. “Most people who have visited our stand have been serious buyers. We anticipate signing deals for new installations by January 1, 2009, as a result."

Benjamin Xing from Beijing Jiuhua Amusement Rides Manufacturing said a large number of people expressed interest in the rides his company sells and said there were “serious buyers” in attendance at the show.

Michael Turner with Gateway Ticketing said, “The attendees were telling us they had projects and needed our product. Overall, it was a good show for us.”

Steven Wagner, from waterpark attraction company SCS Interactive, had a similar experience. “We are seeing more activity in China and Korea so we decided to come to the show. I got one order at the show and will be busy for the next 30 days following up with the people I met.”

Faster processor, modern software, new games and online networking

With the 2.1 PLUS KIT operators can quickly and easily upgrade PHOTO PLAY 2.1 Generation terminals. A powerful processor and state-of-the-art software are elevating PHOTO PLAY SMART or SPIRIT 2.1 to the technologically highest level. Many new games and the integrated online networking make the 2.1 PLUS KIT complete.

“The performance of the 2.1 PLUS KIT is comparable with those of the current PHOTO PLAY PRO Generation and above all scores points with its extreme speed. The games are qualitatively top value and absolutely contemporary. In addition, worldwide tournaments and online games are also possible through the online networking”, according to Josef Öhlinger, CEO funworld ag.

Online networking has many benefits
With the 2.1 PLUS KIT operators not only update their proven PHOTO PLAY 2.1 machines the state-of-the-art technology, but also offer their players many additional game options and features. Above all online networking makes 2.1 terminals ultra-modern and provides players with a unique game experience in the PHOTO PLAY NET. Players thereby get access to the worldwide PHOTO PLAY community, which links passionate PHOTO PLAY players worldwide and ensures long-term loyalty.

Game highlights, such as the net.games ‘Kick the Fish’ or ‘Pengu Flip’, provide regular game incentives and the sophisticated tournament system really spurs players to compete. In the multiplayer feature it is moreover possible to play tournaments live online and in real-time, which allows players to experience the pure fascination of PHOTO PLAY. 

“Operators augment the attractiveness of their PHOTO PLAY terminals with the 2.1 PLUS KIT, attract major interest among the players and increase their receipts. The 2.1 PLUS KIT is ideal for operators, who would like to upgrade their existing 2.1 terminals with high quality at a favourable price. The 2.1 PLUS KIT has been attracting major attention in Germany, Switzerland and Greece,” explains Öhlinger.

For operators preferring all the benefits of the 2.1 PLUS KIT in one of their own machines we also offer a corresponding terminal with PHOTO PLAY Smart PLUS or Spirit PLUS.

Over 700 games per machine guarantee excellent receipts every week

Since the beginning of the year funworld has been distributing “Stacker” prize vending machines from LAI Games in all of Europe, excluding Belgium, Great Britain, Spain and Norway. Meanwhile, the touchscreen innovator renowned for the brand PHOTO PLAY has already been supplying the two versions of “Stacker Club” and “Stacker Giant” in 14 European countries. 

“By assuming the general distribution of Stacker in nearly all of Europe funworld has entered a lucrative partnership with LAI Games, which sets a strong course in the coin-operated entertainment branch. Stacker is meanwhile well-established in Central Europe and its market launch in many south-eastern European countries is impressive”, emphasises Josef Öhlinger, funworld ag CEO.

Highest volume countries: Germany and France
In addition to its own set-up in Austria, funworld is executing the general distribution of Stacker very successfully in Germany, Switzerland, France, Greece, Holland, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Czechia, Hungary and Cypress. Out of these, Germany and France are the highest selling countries.

Over 700 games are played per machine on average per week, whereas the game figures are higher in Czechia and Poland. However, the simple, Tetris-like game principle and sensational “Point-of-Play” presence guarantees excellent receipts in all European countries. 

Kino centres, bowling centres & shopping centres
According to information from hosts, Stacker pays off shortly, whereby this is strongly dependent on the attractiveness of prices and the location. Film centres, bowling centres, shopping centres, railway stations and motorway service areas have proven to be ideal locations. The security system with laminated security glass, security locks and special cash register locking devices is specially adapted by funworld to European standards and has particularly proven its worth here.
 
Major potential
Stacker is developing in Europe into a genuine guarantee for success and according to Öhlinger is above all interesting for locations, who are already working with crane crab vending machines:

 “As the optimal successor to crane machines, Stacker generates excellent profits, which clearly outshine the revenue from classic crane machines, as the balance sheet of our own set-up in Austria shows, among other evidence. Stacker is a ‘must have’ for every location and has major market potential throughout Europe.”

The new portal of Russian amusement segment from “Smile-Expo” company and Parks Attractions and Amusement Expo “EAAPA” has started its work. The owners of malls, amusement parks, directors and managers of companies can regular get useful information about latest events taking place in the world of amusement business. The informational support will be provided by leading world publications and Internet portals such as “Azart”, “CAI”, “E-Play”, “Intertainment Industry”, «Inter Park», «World Park», Jamma.it, Web Amusement Expo, Blooloop and others. The main task of creation Internet project www.news4amuse.com is attract attention of industry’s professionals.

The specialists has developed portal offering set of different services connecting with amusement theme. Its users can get acquainted with events in the world of amusement industry. On website you can find informational analytical articles, news, press releases, previews of expos, seminars, conferences all over the world. Any visitor of website has an opportunityto become a participant of forum and discuss the questions he is interested in. Informational analytics centre provides real time appearance and daily renewal of information. If you’d like to keep up latest events of industry, weekly dispatch is. The constant development and renewal of website, simple structure and clear system of navigation will let easily find information you need.

Today, officials with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) announced Asian Attractions Expo 2009 will be held in Seoul, South Korea. The Asian Attractions Expo is the largest trade show and conference for the attractions industry in Asia. It will take place at the COEX Convention & Exhibition Center in Seoul, June 10-12, 2009.

About Asian Attractions Expo
The Asian Attractions Expo is the premier event for the multibillion dollar leisure and attractions industry in Asia. More than 3,000 professionals from amusement and theme parks, waterparks, zoos, aquariums, museums, family entertainment centers, casinos, and resorts participate in the annual event to develop and purchase new attractions and products for their facilities, see what’s new in the industry, learn about best practices, discuss the latest industry trends, and network with colleagues.

More than 150 exhibitors from 25 countries will showcase their innovative products and services during the three-day event in more than 100 categories, including amusement and theme park rides; architectural and design services; coin-operated games, skill games, and redemption prizes; theatrical productions; and maintenance services and equipment.