International Expo Consults (IEC) has announced that this year's DEAL 2014 exhibition will be larger than any previous editions.

The Dubai show has grown to become one of the most effective launch pads in the Middle East for all stakeholders within the amusement and related industries.

DEAL 2014 will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre on April 8-10. The show, which is almost sold out, aims to create the largest ever showcase of world-class family entertainment products at DEAL 2014.

"The GCC countries are currently on an overdrive and they are creating some of the biggest family entertainment centres in the region," said Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, chairman of IEC.

"Exhibitors at DEAL 2014 will benefit immensely as the UAE plans to invest several billion dollars in the theme parks and amusement sector. This is a great opportunity to blend into the fabric of the country's theme parks and leisure industry and the early movers will surely stand to benefit in the long run.

"We have observed that there is a renewed energy in the industry and it is on an exponential growth path especially after UAE's Expo 2020 win. The region will soon witness state-of-the-art amusement and entertainment experience as a result of the innovative products that will be showcased at DEAL 2014."

Exhibitors at last year's show signed contracts worth several million dollars, and the event grew by 19 per cent over the previous year.