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IAAPA reports successful Euro Attractions Show in London 2011; next year in Berlin

Merlin Entertainments chair Nick Varney was a featured speaker at EAS

Following the success of EAS 2011 in London; EAS 2012 Berlin – 50% of space already sold
BERLIN — In 2012 the amusement and theme park industry will gather in Berlin. The EAS will take place from 9-11 October and will be held in the Messe Berlin. “Germany has many theme parks, family entertainment centers and water parks. Beside that, the country has an outstanding reputation of manufacturing for our industry, so Berlin is the perfect place for the 9th edition,” says IAAPA’s Mats Wedin. The interest of exhibiting companies is again very high: Almost 50% of the exhibition space is already sold.
 

LONDON — September 29, 2011 was the final day of the 8th edition of the Euro Attractions Show (EAS). Organizers reported more than 7,000 visitors, a record number of exhibitors and over 1,000 participants in the conference programme asserting EAS as “the premier trade show for the attractions industry in Europe.”

EAS is organized by the European Office of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA Europe). The show rotates between different countries and cities, and this year’s edition took place in London. Mats Wedin, Chairman of the IAAPA European Advisory Committee says: “We are extremely pleased with this show and the support of the associations in the UK. Not only did we have a record number of exhibitors, we noticed that the European industry is as vibrant as ever.” Several new exhibitors stated that they only expected to generate new contacts, but many said that they also signed contracts and gained business.

Record breaking Exhibit Floor
Preliminary counts show that 7.053 visitors came to the event in the Olympia Exhibition Centre. The visitors came from more than a hundred countries and about 30% came from the host country. 336 exhibitors (82 are UK based) showed their latest products and services (in more than 99 different categories) on the largest show floor in the event’s history. Among the exhibited products were roller coasters, attractions, ticket and access systems, games and animatronics. One of the most important trends is the combination of 3D-movies with other techniques (making it 4- or even 5D) as well as the focus on theming and interactivity. Also significant was the supply of water related attractions and equipment.

Extensive conference programme
Parallel to the show ran a wide-ranging educational programme. The attendance was excellent: more than 1.000 people attended the seminars on social media, fan communities, Intellectual Property (IP)-branding, safety, human resources and waterparks. The program also featured a panel discussion with some of the most legendary pioneers of the European attractions industry and a Leadership Breakfast where Nick Varney, CEO of Merlin Entertainments Group Ltd, shared his vision on the company and the philosophy of success. This years’ networking events were sold out.


About IAAPA
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide. Founded more than 90 years ago, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities and attractions and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the amusement industry. IAAPA represents more than 4,000 attractions, suppliers, and individual members from more than 90 countries. The association’s global headquarters office is in Alexandria, Virginia, United States. The association maintains regional offices in Brussels, Mexico City, and Hong Kong. IAAPA is online at www.IAAPA.org.

About Euro Attractions Show (EAS)
The Euro Attractions Show (EAS) is owned and produced by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), and has evolved into Europe’s largest trade fair dedicated to the attractions industry. EAS is managed by IAAPA’s European operations, under the direction of the IAAPA Europe Advisory Committee and the IAAPA Europe Manufacturers and Suppliers Sub-Committee.

Judith Rubin
Judith Rubin
Judith Rubin ([email protected]) is a leading journalist, content marketing specialist and connector in the international attractions industry. She reports on design and technical design, production and project management, industry trends and company culture. From 2005-2020 she ran communications and publications for the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). In 2013, she was honored with the TEA Service Award. She was development director of IMERSA and publicist for the Large Format Cinema Association, and has contributed to the publications of PLASA, IAAPA and the International Planetarium Society. Judith joined World’s Fair magazine in 1987, which introduced her to the attractions industry. She joined InPark in 2010. Judith earned a BFA from Pratt Institute. She has lived in Detroit, New York, Oakland, and now Saint Louis, where she is active in the local arts community.

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