YNOT EUROPE – An estimated 30,000 people from 37 countries visited the 3rd Asia Adult Expo, which took place in Macau Aug. 20-22. The show, Asia’s only international event for adult products and entertainment, experienced a 20-percent increase in visitors over last year, according to Kenny Lo, chief executive of Vertical Expo Services Co. Ltd., which organizes AAE.

Lo said trade visitors were eager to find products like novelties and toys, lingerie and content providers. On an exit survey, 82 percent of the trade guests commented that AAE is the right place for sourcing suppliers, and 85 percent reported attending AAE to evaluate the adult market. More than 90 percent indicated they plan to return to AAE in 2011.

First-time trade visitors represented companies in Belgium, Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, Poland and the UK.

“We have participated in the other show in Asia, but AAE is the only international show in Asia,” said Oliver Redschlag, chief executive officer of Joy Division Germany, who was a new attendee this year. “We have met many distributors from all around the world — Taiwan, Korea, Australia and many more.”

Ninety percent of the exhibitors said they think AAE is an effective platform to find business partners, and 80 percent exhibited to promote their brands. Eighty-eight percent indicated they will return to AAE next year, Lo said.

“We had been visiting AAE for the past 2 years and thought we should come as an exhibitor this year,” said Jon Lin, sales manager for Andone Technology Co. Ltd. of Taiwan. “We are looking for both trade and public business, as AAE has been very productive to provide an international as well as a public show. The flow and quality of visitors are up to our expectation. We will come back next year.”

Frankie Ng, CEO of Nanma Manufacturing Co. Ltd., had compliments for
AAE.

“AAE is an effective platform for our company to expand and introduce the adult toy industry,” he said. “We have met potential buyers and distributors from countries such as the USA and Japan. Key customers such as California Exotics and Doc Johnson also visited us this year. We will definitely come back next year and continue to support AAE, as this opportunity is beneficial to both parties.”

AAE also attracts a significant number of visitors from the general public, Lo said. Most of them attend to purchase adult products and enjoy the entertainment. More than 70 percent of the non-trade guests purchased products this year, Lo noted, and most were young: 60 percent of the visitors were between 18 and 34 years old, 58 percent were couples and 40 percent were female.

“AAE is gaining more attention since its debut in Macau in 2008,” Lo said. “It will continue to position as a global event for adult products and entertainment in Asia. My special thanks to the media, our partners, our exhibitors and the visitors who made this event happen. We look forward to an even bigger event next year”

For more information, visit AsiaAdultExpo.com.