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GOLDEN PONY AWARDS Ruffley joins WhiteWater
The 7th Golden Pony Awards were presented last month in Rome during a ceremony staged by the Italian publisher Facto Edizioni. A total of 22 amusement parks, travelling showmen and ride manufacturers/suppliers from 15 countries were honoured during the event at the Grand Hotel Ritz on October 6.
“Every day these people spend many hours inventing new attractions or investing large sums to buy them and create new parks,” noted host Danilo Tosetto. “We believe that, above all in these difficult
times, those who stand out for their business success, history, or innovative spirit deserve recognition.” Founded in 2002, the Golden Pony Awards have been presented in a number of different Italian cities and were staged this year in Rome to coincide with Euro Attractions Show. Over the years, 180 operators have been awarded a golden statuette shaped like pony. Here’s this year’s winners: Amusement
This year’s award winners pictued in Rome
Parks/FECs – Russian Exhibition Of Attractions, Europa-Park (Germany), Sunway Lagoon (Malaysia), Gardaland (Italy), Luna Park at Coney Island (USA), Olands Djur & Nojespark (Sweden), Happylon Moscow (Russia). Travelling Showmen – Luna Park Borowiak (Poland), Rosa Severeyns (Belgium), Francisco Vila’ Berbis (Spain), the Murphy Family (UK), Nöjesfältet Caravellen (Sweden), Marc Weydert (Luxembourg). Suppliers – Intamin, Mondial, Pax, Industrias Royo, SBF-Visa. Special Prize – Michel Prat (France), Xteam (Italy), Linz City Express (Austria), Lothar Geiger (Austria), Le Ludion (France).
Teri Ruffley has joined leading waterpark supplier WhiteWater West as head of sales for Europe. She will be based just outside London. Ruffley is a seasoned industry professional with over 20 years' experience. After more than 10 years in sales at Intamin, she served for the past four years as vice- president of live events and attractions at HIT Entertainment, brokering the deal for Thomas Land at Drayton Manor and helping the grow its international business by 250%. “We're very excited to have
Teri head up our European business,” says WhiteWater partner Andrew Wray. “She brings strong relationships and an intimate knowledge of the leisure and recreation markets and will no doubt hit the ground running.”
LIW 2010
The organisers of Leisure Industry Week (LIW) in the UK report that there was an increase in attendance at this year’s exhibition from key decision makers and buyers. Held in Birmingham from September 21 to 23, the event boasted the usual mix of “shows within a show” including Play & Attractions, Health & Fitness, Leisure Facilities, Sport, Pool & Spa, Eat & Drink and Licensed Business. A total of 350 exhibitors participated in the event, which attracted a combined attendance of 9,725. Over 20% of LIW visitors had purchasing authority in excess of £250,000 ($405k/€285k), and over 35% a budget of over £50,000. There was 35% increase in attendance from independent, family or privately owned businesses. Individual figures for Play & Attractions are not available. “Our numbers this year are extremely encouraging,” says LIW event manager Chris Brown. “With such a high number of key decision makers it is clear that there is confidence amongst operators as the leisure industry looks beyond the recession. The on-site and evening networking events as well as the seminar programme provided the perfect place for delegates to make new contacts and do business.”
One of the main exhibits on the show floor was the Wavesurfer portable wave surfing attraction, with several professional demonstrations taking place during the week. The Play Innovation Zone, run in association with the Play Providers Association (PPA), was a great success, while the Attractions Ideas Village was also a positive addition to the Play & Attractions sector. Also new this year was a coin-op showcase. “Over the past two years LIW has developed into a serious trade show for the UK visitor attraction industry,” reckons Tony Sefton, founder of consultants Vision XS. “We urge all stakeholders to engage with the organisers to ensure it continues to grow, deliver results and offer a unique place to do business.”
LIW 2011 returns to the NEC In Birmingham from September 20 to 22.
www.liw.co.uk 22 NOVEMBER 2010
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