17 April 2016
Founding father of global video game industry to discuss trends in the region's thriving electronic gaming industry

Dubai, UAE - Atari founder Nolan Bushnell, known as the founding father of the video games industry will be present at the DEAL 2016 show.  The 22nd edition of the show is set to open doors on the 19th of this month and will go on till the 21st at the Dubai World Trade Center. Nolan will be at the Mantech stand during the show and will meet the gaming enthusiasts during the largest amusement industry trade show in the Middle East and Africa.

Nolan Bushnell, who also created Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre, is known as one of the founding fathers of the video game industry and has been inducted into the video game Hall of Fame and named by NewsWeek as one of the '50 Men Who Changed America'.

"We always expect groundbreaking innovations at the DEAL Show 2016. The virtual reality technology boomed in mid-2015 and continues to boom and has become more accessible in 2016, fusing the elements of 3D mechanization with imagery. We are honoured to welcome Nolan Bushnell at the DEAL Show, a man who has made his mark in the gaming industry," says Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Chairman of IEC, the organizers of DEAL Show.

Mantech, the creator of one of the largest FECs in KSA and also a DEAL Show 2016 exhibitor, will unveil 'Virtual Reality Gaming Cube' and 'Virtual Dodgeball', two of the most advanced and immersive gaming products in the market today. Market research firm CCS Insight revealed that the global virtual and augmented reality sector will rake in US$4 billion by 2018.

"We are very pleased to have Nolan Bushnell as our guest at DEAL. I met Nolan through his son, Wyatt, when we were closing the Virsix deal and his wisdom seems infinite. Listening to his experiences and advice is an invaluable asset. It's always a joy and a pleasure to be associated with a true legend in gaming. We are excited and looking forward to DEAL 2016 and beyond," stated Fahad Fouad Bubshait, CEO of Mantech.

Founded in 1972, Atari is a pioneer in the arcade and video game industry. "Indeed, Atari redefined today's electronic entertainment industry and with Nolan's unmatched prowess, we are positive that the Virtual Reality Gaming Cube will also stamp its mark in the gaming history," added Fahad.

Aside from Mantech, other exhibitors will also display the industry's top theme park and FEC equipment like 9D rides, Holovis' virtual and augmented reality equipment, as well as other line of products the Middle East has never seen before. Most innovations in 2016 focus on virtual gaming and interaction.

Bushnell is going to be at the Mantech stand to speak about this technology to industry stakeholders and visitors alike. DEAL 2016 event will be held from 19th to 21st April, 2016 at Zabeel Halls 4, 5 and 6 in the Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai, UAE. DEAL is MENA's most anticipated and biggest trade show for the entertainment and amusement industry's stakeholders looking for a strong entry in the Middle East's flourishing market.

The amusement and entertainment industry's leaders from the local and international markets will converge in Dubai this April. Over 300 global and regional exhibitors from 33 countries will unveil the industry's top and latest rides, services, and equipment.

DEAL Show organizer International Expo Consults (IEC), part of Falak Holding, is all set to unveil the 'Amusement Operator and Franchise Showcase' section within DEAL 2016. The pavilion aims at laying a strong foundation for all the stakeholders in the amusement franchising and licensing businesses.

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About International Expo-Consults (IEC):
International Expo-Consults LLC (IEC) is an internationally recognized trade show management company with an impressive track record of over 21 years of operations in the Middle East and Asia Pacific region. The Exhibition arm of the Dubai-based conglomerate, the Falak Holding; IEC is the organizer of key exhibitions including Sign and Graphics Imaging (SGI), and the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure show (DEAL). Falak Holding has been an industry pioneer for the last 33 years having diversified business interests including real estate development; retail - sports, fashion, home furnishings; exhibitions, medical diagnostics, trading and many more as part of its portfolio. Falak Holding is also a key stakeholder and investor in the prestigious Dubai Sports City project. For more information on DEAL please log on to www.dealmiddleeastshow.com.

For further information please contact:
Prem A. Ramachandran
Managing Director
White Water Public Relations
GSM:0097150-4537253
PO. Box 18936, Dubai, UAE
Email:prem@whitewaterpr.com
Website:  www.whitewaterpr.com

© Press Release 2016