Dubai, Wednesday, 3 December 2025.
IAAPA’s move to stage a first dedicated Expo in the Middle East signals a concrete shift in where global buyers and project owners will look for suppliers. Announced during IAAPA Expo Europe, the new regional show responds to rapid Gulf leisure investment and growing supplier interest in sovereign-backed masterplans; the most striking takeaway is that the event is planned to land in Abu Dhabi, creating an early commercial pipeline outside the traditional North American‑European exhibition calendar. For retail and attractions procurement leaders, that means reassessing sales cycles, product roadmaps and exhibition budgets to win early‑mover advantage in large‑scale theming, ride supply, mixed‑reality attractions and hotel‑integrated offerings. The decision also intersects with IAAPA governance changes for 2025, which will shape regional engagement, standards and member services. This summary previews strategic implications—where to prioritise business development, how to time new launches, and why Dubai/Abu Dhabi projects now merit top‑tier attention.