Hamac Trading at IAAPA Expo Europe 2026
Hamac Trading at IAAPA Expo Europe 2026: London, We Made It!
The stand was ready, the props were in place from 22 to 24 September, Hamac Trading exhibited at IAAPA Expo Europe at ExCeL London, welcoming attractions professionals to Stand S-4902. Here’s a look back at a busy three days.
A Record-Breaking London Return
IAAPA Expo Europe came back to London for the first time in four years, and IAAPA says the show is 50 per cent bigger than the previous event, covering more than 22,000 sq.m with more than 870 exhibitors. Under the theme “Unleash the Wonder”, theme park operators, zoos, family entertainment centres and suppliers gathered to swap ideas and do business.
For a Ballymena-based distributor, London was a good fit. Hamac has supplied the trade since 1999 and is an IAAPA member. Its team of David, Philip and Mark were on the stand all three days to meet visitors, talk through projects and show the latest from Hamac Display Products and Hansa Creation.
Hamac Display Products: Props That Make Guests Stop and Stare
Hamac Displays offers one of Europe’s widest ranges of realistic, life-size models and props. Themed environments live or die on first impressions, and attractions increasingly need visual “wow” moments guests will photograph and share.
The range covers:
- Life-size animals and characters for zoo, farmyard, fantasy and Jurassic themes
- Photo opportunity props, from peep-through boards to seats and statement pieces
- Seasonal displays for Christmas, Halloween and Easter events
- Animatronics with full movement and sound, backed by Hamac’s exclusive UK and Ireland partnership with Creation Group
- Light Sculptures, which combine LED lighting with handcrafted fibreglass
Most of the range is built from durable fibreglass, so it works indoors and outdoors, a real advantage for British attractions.
Hansa Creation: “Is It Real or Is It Hansa?”
Alongside the props, the Hansa Creation range drew plenty of curiosity. Hansa makes some of the most realistic plush animals in the world. Each piece is hand-sculpted, stitched and painted. Hamac is the sole UK, Ireland and Middle East distributor for Hansa’s retail and display products.
For attractions, it works two ways:
Retail: premium, lifelike plush for gift shops, with more than 700 lines available from UK stock
Display: large plush animals, available as static, animated or singing and talking versions, which can be personalised to tell jokes, share stories or announce information to guests
A talking plush ambassador at an entrance or in a seasonal grotto is a friendly way to welcome visitors.
Ideas for the Next Project
The best conversations at the show weren’t about products, they were about plans: a new Halloween trail, a dinosaur zone, a winter wonderland, a refreshed gift shop or a photo spot for a park’s social channels. That’s what the Hamac team was there for, helping operators turn a rough idea into something guests will remember.
If you’re planning ahead for the seasonal calendar, it’s worth starting early. Christmas and Halloween lead times move quickly, and Hamac’s UK stock and showroom make it easier to see products in person before committing.
Momentum Across 2026
London follows a busy year for the company. Hamac made its debut at IAAPA Expo Asia in Hong Kong and launched into the Asian and Australasian markets. It also returned to Glee at the NEC Birmingham earlier in September to launch its Garden Lifestyle Catalogue 2027. Add its Christmas showroom events, and it has been a year of growth.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, shared ideas and helped make IAAPA Expo Europe 2026 such a success. See you at the next one!
