Must-See Education and Events at IAAPA Expo Asia 2025
The IAAPA Expo Asia 2025 is set to occur at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Shanghai, China. The educational sessions will run from 30 June to 3 July, while the exhibition floor will be accessible from 1 to 3 July.
As the leading trade show for the attractions sector within the Asia-Pacific region, IAAPA Expo Asia 2025 gathers professionals from various fields, including theme parks, water parks, family entertainment centres, museums, and more. Organised by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), this event serves as a vital platform for networking, innovation, and education.
Each year, the expo highlights the latest trends, technologies, and products that are shaping the future of immersive entertainment. Attendees can explore a show floor brimming with innovative displays and participate in expert-led educational sessions tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities within the region.
As the attractions industry in Asia continues to expand, IAAPA Expo Asia 2025 remains a pivotal event for industry leaders aiming to stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.
Ticketed Events at IAAPA Expo Asia 2025
A variety of special events will be hosted throughout IAAPA Expo Asia 2025, including tours, workshops, networking opportunities, and more.
On Saturday 28 June and Monday 30 June, a sold-out EDUTour will feature the new Legoland Shanghai Resort, providing a unique chance to explore this world-class attraction in Shanghai, including insights into its innovative design and operations.
On Monday, the IAAPA Safety Institute will take place all day, followed by the Safety Corner session on Tuesday 1 July, where attendees can discuss safety challenges and seek advice from an IAAPA APAC Safety Committee member and Linda Freeman, IAAPA safety director.
The Opening Reception is scheduled for the evening of Tuesday 1 July at Shanghai Disney Resort.
On Wednesday 2 July, the day will commence with the Leadership Breakfast, featuring insights from Jill Estorino, president and managing director of Disney Parks International. The same day will also include a Lunch and Learn session with Cecilia Qin, VP of Trip.com.
Young professionals at the start of their careers can attend the Young Professional Corner on Wednesday, where they will meet the Young Professional Award winners from the Asia-Pacific region.
Additionally, the two-day IAAPA Institute for Attractions Professionals will take place on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 July. This intensive course is designed for individuals with five years or fewer of experience in attractions, combining classroom instruction led by industry experts with group activities.
Highlights from the Agenda
Tuesday 1 July
The Opening Ceremony will kick off on Tuesday at 9.15, followed by a full day of educational sessions. Highlights include Building Robust Operations and Maintenance Programs with Integrated Quality Assurance, focusing on recent safety incidents and the importance of robust operations and maintenance programs. Speakers include Joe Relich from Universal Studios Japan and IAAPA’s Linda Freeman.
In From Farm to Disney Table: Create Dining Experiences with the Audience and Community in Mind, delegates will learn how business operators can connect with their audience by selecting and using local specialty farm products while supporting local development. The speakers are Nelson Zhang and Philippe Daue from Shanghai Disney Resort.
Later in the day, Eva Au Yeung from Ocean Park Corporation and Jason Ramsburg from Universal Beijing Resort will lead a session titled Timeless Appeal: The Power of Live Entertainment in Theme Parks, exploring actionable strategies for parks of all sizes to refresh shows, leverage IP, and maximise impact on a budget.
In Bridging Global Standards & Local Culture: Best Practices for Asia’s Amusement Industry, Andrea Galeazzi from Ramayana Water Park will discuss cultural barriers and solutions for integrating global best practices into Asia’s unique markets.
Wednesday 2 July
One session not to miss on Wednesday morning is Smarter Investments: Maximizing ROI in Asia’s Attraction Market. Attendees will learn how to optimise budgets and space while delivering high-quality experiences. Speakers include Eric Lee from Unbound and Eric O’Rourke from FORREC, along with James Kennard from Leisure Development Partners and Natalie Chan from Hasbro.
Asia-Pacific FEC Evolution: Social Entertainment as a Growth Catalyst will examine the dynamic shifts shaping FECs across the Asia-Pacific region. Speakers include Ginna Xu from Shanghai NEOBIO Holdings Limited, Harry Lu from Sindrax Technology Co., Ltd., Nesh Selva from Timezone Singapore and Vietnam, and Pitiphatr Buri from Beat Active.
In a Solution Spotlight titled DOF Robotics – Edutainment in Digital Attractions: Efficient Way of Entertainment, attendees will learn about the growing power of edutainment, led by Mirsat Satis, showcasing how the firm is incorporating edutainment across its latest projects.
Unlock the Magic: Bring Storytelling to Life will feature Zootopia at Shanghai Disney Resort as a case study on creating a holistic experience across all touchpoints, including attractions, ride experiences, entertainment, shopping, and dining. Insights will be shared by Disney’s Di He, Jacko Cheung, Molly Jin, Ray Wang, and Olivia Kang.
The next Solution Spotlight, from Brogent Technologies Inc., is Redefining the Flying Theater – Digital ambassadors of Natural and Cultural Heritage, where Stefan Rothaug will present the company’s revolutionary flying theatre experience.
Beyond the Ordinary: Global Innovations Shaping the Future of Parks, Museums, Zoos & Aquariums will explore how leading parks, museums, zoos, and aquariums worldwide are revolutionising the guest experience through groundbreaking exhibits and transformative experiences. Speakers include Emily Howard from PGAV Destinations, Peta Wittig from Peta Wittig Consulting, and Ruth Read from blooloop.
Thursday 3 July
In Elevating Guest Service: Turning Vision into Action, speakers will discuss how parks and attractions can translate service principles into daily operations, establish effective training programmes, and empower employees to create meaningful guest interactions.
This will include insights from Alan Kwok from Shanghai Disney Resort and Anthony Blitch from Hong Kong Disneyland, as well as Edith Lam from Universal Beijing Resort and Olivia Kang from Shanghai Disney Resort.
In the afternoon, another highlight is Global IP Trends: Crafting Universally Appealing Experiences, which will examine how global IP trends are transforming guest experiences in the attractions industry. Speakers include Evi Sari from WildBrain CPLG, Hang Zhangi from Qiyi, Linda Hung from FORREC, and Yael Coifman from Leisure Development Partners.
Attendees can learn from Mandai Wildlife Group in Case Study: Collaborative Success in Launching Adventure Experience in a Wildlife Park. Speakers include David Lim from Tomorrow Entertainment, Kay Tsai from Mandai X, and Zishan Amir from Zrg Adventures & Consulting.
International Sustainability Practices and Localization in the Attractions Industry in China is a session organised by the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai, featuring Canadian exhibitors from IAAPA Expo Asia 2025 showcasing cutting-edge sustainability practices in the attractions industry.
Press Conferences
Several press conferences are scheduled throughout IAAPA Expo Asia 2025.
On Tuesday 1 July 2025 at 11 am, DOF Robotics will unveil its latest innovations and strategic milestones, including the upcoming launch of Mars Odyssey, a new Immersive Tunnel project in Canada. The company also has plans for a public offering in Istanbul.
ZIERER will hold a press conference on Tuesday at 12.20, highlighting a new attraction introduced last year and confirming the first sale in Asia to Tobu Zoo, Japan. The presentation will showcase this new type of interactive family attraction.
Brogent Technologies will also host a press conference on Tuesday at 2 pm, introducing a brand-new type of flying theatre designed for maximum efficiency and impact.
At 2.45 pm on Tuesday, ProSlide Technology will spotlight the latest advancements in water ride design and guest experience across APAC, showcasing a lineup engineered for impact, blending guest appeal, operational efficiency, and rich storytelling.
Exhibitors Not to Miss at IAAPA Expo Asia 2025
accesso – booth #1238
accesso Technology Group PLC, a leading technology provider for attractions worldwide, will present its latest technology solutions designed to enhance operational efficiency and create connected guest experiences.
This includes accesso Horizon, the all-in-one ticketing and experience management platform, and accesso Freedom, a cloud-native point-of-sale system offering unmatched flexibility. Visitors can also discover accesso Passport, a robust eCommerce and mobile ticketing solution, and accesso LoQueue, a true virtual queuing platform that reduces wait times and increases guest satisfaction.
Alterface – booth #1229
Alterface, a leader in interactive technology, will showcase its renowned interactive dark rides, theatres, and walkthroughs, including two major openings in Asia and Europe.
Action League Popcorn Revenge, now open at Suzhou Paradise Forest World in China, combines competitive gameplay with ultra-dynamic multi-axis rotation, delivering a new level of interactive entertainment.
Axess – booth #1646
Axess, a leading provider of sales, ticketing, and access management solutions for the visitor attractions industry, will exhibit products including the Axess SMART TERMINAL 600 with Flap Glass and AX500 Smart Gate NG with Turnstile.
Recent projects include L+Snow Indoor Ski Theme Resort, Genting Snow Park, and Fosun Taican ALPS Resort, all in China.
DOF Robotics – booth #1408
DOF Robotics, a producer of dynamic simulation platforms, will exhibit at IAAPA Expo Asia 2025. Visitors can experience the Immersive Tunnel – Mars Odyssey: A Journey Beyond Earth, featuring a 270-degree cinematic environment enhanced by DOF Robotics’ signature 6-DOF motion system.
Embed – booth #1230
Embed, a leading worldwide supplier of point-of-sale and revenue management systems, will present updates to its product line-up for hyper-customisation and deeper integrations.
“Guests, experiences, staff, operations, bookings, payments, sales, reports—the integration of these tech components is critical to the success of an FEC,” says Renee Welsh, CEO.
Environmental Street Furniture – booth #2821
Environmental Street Furniture (ESF), a supplier of exterior street furniture, will highlight products listed on its new website, themebenches.com, designed to inspire imagination and turn outdoor spaces into destinations.
ETF Ride Systems – booth #1328
ETF Ride Systems, a leading ride designer and manufacturer, will present its latest development, the ETF Dynamic Mover, featuring faster acceleration and deceleration, omnidirectional driving capabilities, and increased passenger cabin rotation.
Huss Park Attractions – booth #1407
Huss Park Attractions, the German ride manufacturer, will showcase its attractions, including the family-friendly Giant at Fantasy Valley Xiangyang and the thrill ride Top Spin Suspended at Happy Valley Nanjing.
Katapult – booth #2821
Katapult, the international guest experience design agency, will showcase its theme park design expertise and highlight its experiential concept collaboration with Aardman Animations.
Kingsmen – booth #1656
Kingsmen, a leading creator of experiences, will showcase how creativity and design bring stories to life, with notable projects including The Cavern @ Rainforest Wild Asia and Illumination’s Minion Land at Universal Studios Singapore.
Lagotronics – booth #1242
Lagotronics Projects, the media-based attractions specialist, will showcase its latest interactive attractions, including the Gameplay Theater and the GameChanger, a compact, rotating dark ride.
Martin & Vleminckx – booth #1358
Martin & Vleminckx (MV Rides), a leader in designing, manufacturing, fabricating, and installing thrilling attractions, will present its world-class portfolio at IAAPA Expo Asia 2025.
