Experience economy experts Experience UK have successfully completed a merger with ALES UK. Experience UK is an organization for Great British companies that design, create and deliver world class visitor destinations, from museums to theme parks and projects in between. The merger sees the company expand its service offering, as it becomes a fully-fledged trade body.
ALES UK is an industry trade association that represents UK registered manufacturers and suppliers for the amusement and leisure industry. Founded in 2004 by Gerry Robinson, ALES UK was established to help smooth the path for UK businesses to exhibit at trade shows around the world.
In recent years, Tony Whittaker headed up the company, representing over 50 companies across the UK that supply products and services to zoos, theme parks, aquariums, water parks, FECs, play centers, farm attractions, holiday parks, and other visitor attractions.
As an Experience UK member, companies can now benefit from an expanded service offering that helps nationwide companies elevate their business successes to the global experience stage.
Members get exclusive access to whitepapers and members-only newsletters that help to inform and influence the sector, and they receive an abundance of company exposure across all Experience UK platforms. Members also receive discounts and offers at world-leading events, with the opportunity to gain a voice on the global experience stage.
Tony Whittaker from ALES UK said on the merger: “After initial meetings with DIT and further discussions with Experience UK it has been agreed by all parties that a merger between ALES UK and Experience UK is undoubtedly the way forward. This merger is a natural progression for both organizations giving the ALES UK members an improved platform to showcase their incredible range of goods and services and at the same time gives Experience UK the ability to continue the provision of TAP grant funding to a larger membership base. I have agreed to help Experience UK over the initial 12 month period to ensure a smooth transition and would like to thank all the ALES UK membership for the fantastic support over the period I was in charge.”
Commenting on the merger, Terry Monkton, Chairman of the Experience UK Board said: “As a former Chair of ALES UK, I would like to thank Tony for the excellent work that he did for ALES UK and its members. The merger between Experience UK and ALES UK makes a lot of sense, with a unified trade association representing the UK’s finest creative industries. Experience UK will be in a stronger position to ensure adequate trade show support for its members, whilst continuing to support them in their efforts to secure export sales.”
Experience UK are now set for an exciting program of activity for the next 12 months. Experience UK will conduct research into two key international markets, one looking at the Gulf region, and the other on Central and Eastern Europe together. Research into potential retailtainment opportunities will also be conducted, analyzing a new key market for the experience sector. Experience UK is also committed to attend key trade shows around the globe, including the likes of IAAPA Europe and American Alliance of Museums. Alongside this, Experience UK will continue to work with the Department for International Trade to help benefit members and ensure that they receive the support they need as the industry looks to rebuild and grow. To find out more about Experience UK, or to become a member, click here.
