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AALARA hosts bi-annual Australian trade show Conference Reviews
Conference highlights included keynote presentations from John Lees, author and business strategist; IAAPA vice-chairman Mario O Mamon from Enchanted Kingdom in the Philippines; John Hallenbeck of Universal Studios Singapore; Doug Stagner of Sea World Parks & Entertainment (USA): Merlin Entertainments’ Edward Fuller; and Todd Coates, representing Gold Coast attractions Dreamworld, WhiteWater World and Q1 Skypoint. There were also breakout forums on
IAAPA vice-chairman Mario Mamon (left) gives AALARA president Tony Lines a hand cutting the ribbon
T
he Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) held its 19th annual conference from May 7 to 9 at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre in Queensland. Every other year the event also includes a trade show, and 2013 was one of those years.
The event attracted support from 528 owners and senior managers from Australia’s diverse attractions industry.
The bustling booth of Fujifilm
High level delegates meet in Shanghai for third CTPRE Summit
T
he latest edition of the China Theme Park & Resort Expansion (CTPRE) Summit, one of two similar events now staged each year in Shanghai, took place again this spring. Now in its third
year, the two-day high level get-together was organised by local conference specialiist Noppen at the city’s Longement Hotel on aa and 12 April.
Senior delegates representing government departments, trade associations, real estate developers, theme park operators and entertainment suppliers from Asia and beyond gathered to discuss what continues to be a booming market for the industry.
Compared by Charlie
Read from Blooloop, the conference programme included notable
contributions from Mr Wang Dehong of Shanghai’s International Tourist and Resort Zone, who gave an opening speech covering theme parks and tourism in China, and Andrew Bolstein, vice-president of operations for the
upcoming Shanghai Disney Resort, which he promised would be “authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese.”
Additional contributions
laser tag, aquatics, inflatable amusements, mazes, and a lively session on go-karting.
Annual meetings were held during the week both from AALARA and the National Regulator’s Forum, allowing industry
stakeholders from AALARA, the Showmen's Guild of Australasia and the Royal Show Societies and Engineers of Australia to discuss issues of healthy and safety. During the AALARA AGM, Philip Durkin was elected to succeed Tony Lines as the association’s new president, and there were life gold service awards for stalwart members Greg O’Neill and Brian Bradley. After many years on the Gold Coast, the event switches next year to the Sunshine Coast, taking place from 13 to 15 May.
aalara.com.au
Dreamworld CEO Todd Coates was a keynote speaker
A small exhibitor area was available for delegates’ perusal during coffee
came from Zhou Jiucai (National Tourism Administration), Li Ying (Shandong Luxin Investment Group), Ding Wei (World Carnival Beijing), Peter Smulders (Attractions International) and Crayon Yao from the YAOX5D Group who, highlighting the example of Life of Pi, expressed his belief that every popular theme park should be related to the movie industry. The event also gave a platform for some sponsors to show their latest products and services to delegates during coffee breaks. Park World understands that a fourth (CTPRE) summit is likely in Shanghai in late February 2014, but Noppen has yet to confirm details. In the meantime Theme Park & Resorts World Asia Congress takes place at a Shanghai hotel to be announced on 12 and 13 September. Take your pick.
A conference session in full flow JULY 2013
noppen.com.cn 23
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