The Dubai Entertainment Amusement and Leisure Show (Deal) 2013 grew by 19 per cent over the previous year, with exhibitors signing contracts worth several million dollars, a statement from International Expo Consults (IEC) said.

These contracts were for all the equipments, rides and other innovative products and projects that would be carried out during the course of the year, the statement said. The show welcomed 272 firms from across 33 countries and attracted over 5,753 quality trade visitors.

Deal is the Middle East’s annual focal point for all stakeholders in the amusement and related industries looking for a successful entry or greater growth in the region’s markets. Deal 2014 is scheduled to be held from April 8 to 10 at The Arena Hall, DWTC.

In addition to several innovative products, Deal 2013 showcased 5D and 7D cinemas, the latest family entertainment centre equipments, video games, redemption games, kiddie rides, prize machines and other innovative offerings.

“We have observed that there is a renewed energy in the industry and it is on an aggressive growth path. We are confident that the region will soon witness state-of-the-art amusement and entertainment experience as a result of the innovative products that were showcased at Deal. We are also delighted to see that our exhibitors have signed multi-million dollar contracts during the show and we are sure that this will keep them busy till Deal 2014,” said Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, chairman, IEC.

“We saw several exhibitors approaching us for a larger space next year. That shows the confidence in our show and the industry. I would like to once again thank all our exhibitors and partners who have supported and trusted us throughout this journey. We grew organically and today it has become one of the largest platforms in the Middle East for entertainment and leisure industry,” he said.

Prakash Vivekanand, managing director, Amusement Services International (ASI), said: “We have been part of the Deal show for over 15 years. This year was a promising one for our industry as most amusement operations have registered a growth in revenue and footfall year-on-year.”

“We are expecting 12 to 15 per cent growth in business in 2013 and similar growth in 2014 as orders from Dubai and the GCC will gather momentum,” said Prakash Vivekanand, managing director of ASI.

Nabil A Kassim, general manager, Warehouse of Games, said: “In 2001, we started with a small stand at Deal. This year we have one of the largest stands spread across 350 sq m. This is the only show that matters to us as a Middle East-based company.”

“The show has definitely grown over the years and attracts visitors from the Mena region, India and some former common wealth of independent states countries and other markets. This has definitely helped our growth and increased sales.”

“We have been participating at Deal for the past seven years.  I’m pleased to say that Deal 2013 has delivered for us. During the show we secured a partnership with a client in Lebanon, we cemented relationships with many existing clients in the region and also made many more new contacts than we’d anticipated,” said  Simon Foulkes, sales and marketing director, Rainbow Productions. “From our exhibition stand we are able to showcase our high-quality mascot costumes and entertainment services to visitors from the Middle East and, increasingly, other regions.”

Deal 2013 had a large gathering of key players and visitors representing the amusement industry from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, US, Mediterranean and Asian countries. – TradeArabia News Service