The 2011 edition of the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure (DEAL) expo, has launched an awards program for innovators and entrepreneurs from the Middle East’s amusements industry.

“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 finalised, 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 per cent with industry experts valuing it at anything between $500 million and $1 billion, pointing to its growing importance as an industry sector.

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 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.

DEAL 2011 will take place from April 4 to 6 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.-TradeArabia News Service