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Conference Review
www.parkworld-online.com
The Prater park in Vienna,
Austria, formed the backdrop
to a gathering of the TEA’s
(Themed Entertainment
Vienna Calling
Association) European
members on June 18 and 19.
TEA Members get-together at the Prater
This two-day get-together,
says Gerd Gügel, offered Originally planned as the third official European
real value for money Members Meeting (last year’s took place at Disneyland
Paris), the format was changed at the last minute due to
the limited number of attendees. Host company 5D
International opted to give guests a behind the scenes
insight into the Prater’s new Riesenradplatz entry plaza, a
project it supervised last summer.
Those in attendance could enjoy this, and the
knowledge of their peers, for nothing more than a Euro.03720
registration fee. Surely more would have made the trip to
Vienna if they knew what value was in store?
Delegates were asked to “plot the future” as they
devised five scenes to connect an in-depth attraction
Peter Ed of PE Consulting (left) chats
experience. Reading the agenda, you might have interaction as a marketing tool on social media platforms
to the TEA’s executive director
wondered how valuable biology, history, economy and such as Facebook. Guests were then given a chance to
Gene Jeffers
psychology can be to your business as an attraction enjoy 5D International’s Miraculum effects theatre,
operator or developer, but this was probably one of the before summarising the experience from a rooftop
best TEA events I have attended. overlooking the Riesenradplatz.
After an introduction by past TEA president Nick 5D International succeeded in delivering a relaxed
Farmer, Andreas Kornprobst of 5D International event that allowed TEA members to shares ideas, know-
presented a provocative thesis about the current state of how and constructive debate about the attractions
the industry. “True innovations require a crisis,” we were industry at this crucial time for us all. The agenda was
told, as Andreas’ colleague Dr Gerhard Frank backed adapted to fit the needs all those in attendance and we
the statement up with a series of historical precedents. felt like a real network by the end of it. This is what the
“Crisis means – amongst other things – that business is TEA is all about, and I hope that this will not be the last
slowing down. This gives companies an opportunity to event of its kind.
Delegates network over dinner take a closer look at themselves. What can we do
differently? More convincing, more cost effective, more
Gerd Gügel is CEO of Moods in Pictures from Munich.
out-of-the-box.”
www.moodsinpictures.de
Later the TEA members took a stroll over to the cluster
of attractions developed by 5D International at the
Vision XS conference
Riesenradplatz. First they experienced Vienna Airlines, a
next generation flight simulator using “Flyboard”
The consultancy Vision XS held its fourth annual attraction
technology, complemented by a handsome pre-show
operators’ conference on July 8 in the magnificent
surroundings of Blenheim Palace near Oxford. A wide
area. Riders stand leaning forward against a device that
range of facilities, from zoos and farm parks to museums
supports the upper body. The ride’s content is a flight
and amusement parks, were represented as a variety of
through Vienna passing by the most famous landmarks. speakers discussed ways to improving their business in
Delegates enjoy the preshow on The “seating” position coupled with wind, aroma and reccessionary times. Through a series of case studies and
Vienna Airlines by 5D International
towering sound create an exhilarating experience. TEA
workshops, delegates were also able to assess their own
members rode the attraction twice, before retiring to the
business and make recommendations for others. An
conference room to analyse the experience. Dr Frank,
informal evening’s networking in the village of Woodstock
for example, initiated a very stimulating discussion
rounded off the proceedings for many of those in
about the importance of psychological aspects in
attendance, as they enjoyed hospitality of Vision XS in a
driving the visitor experience.
traditional English pub.
Following requests from a number of guests, a ride
www.visionxs.co.uk
followed on the Prater’s famous Giant Wheel, and then
a walk around the Riesenradplatz, which is named after
the ride. A lovely dinner and some important networking
rounded off the evening.
The second day began with an insight into the
practices of the European banks by Dr Helene Schuberth,
a senior advisor to the Oesterreichische (Austrian)
Nationalbank’s central department of economics. This
useful session gave us some real background to the
current financial crisis.
There then followed a presentation from Umesh Patel
The Prater’s famous wheel (Riesenrad) of Snibbe Interactive, who explained how to use visitor
22 AUGUST 2009
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