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Visitor Attraction Expo
Each January for as long as anyone can remember, amusement industry professionals have met in London, both for the BALPPA Annual Dinner and various trade shows. Now the organisers of a new event reckon there’s another reason to visit the British capital in early 2015: Visitor Attraction Expo (VAE).
The new-look exhibition will be co-located at ExCeL in London Docklands alongside the established EAG Expo event, and BALPPA (the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions) will be playing an active part. As the name suggests, VAE will have a wider outlook than the coin-op focused EAG. Park World has a quick catch-up with Karen Cooke from organiser Swan Events to discover why you should consider adding VAE to your schedule this January.
How will VAE differ to EAG? VAE and EAG have completely different origins. EAG follows a 70 year tradition of an amusement and coin-op show in January and is now an important annual fixture, attracting visitors from over 60 countries. VAE was conceived through a number of
BALPPA’s trade supply members approaching the association with a wish for a UK show that would take place at the same time and in the same place every year. VAE is primarily
WWA Show
The World Waterpark Association’s Annual Symposium & Trade Show was held successfully from 27 to 30 October at the Paris Las Vegas casino/hotel in the Nevada, USA. Although final attendance figures were not available at the time of writing, the last time WWA hosted its show in Las Vegas (in 2009) the turnout was one of the strongest ever. This year, in addition to the action on the show floor and in the symposium sessions, attendees had the opportunity to spend time in the newly opened Wet ’n’ Wild Las Vegas and Cowabunga Bay waterparks. The educational programme featured guest speakers including Ed Hart of Kentucky Kingdom and Dr Justin Sempsrott from Lifeguards Without Borders. Park World will have a full show report in its next issue, or read it now at parkworld-
online.com/WWA2014/
Another reason to visit London this January ATRAX returns to Istanbul
focused on leisure parks, zoos, piers and a wide variety of static attractions. The logic in having the two shows together lies in the increasing crossover between the two sectors, with many attractions having a coin-op element and many amusements and coin-op facilities eager to expand their offering. The two shows will run concurrently, with visitors being able to pass freely between them with a single badge.
Any seminars planned? VAE will feature an impressive seminar and educational programme, organised by BALPPA and addressing a number of highly topical issues. Details of the seminar programme and its speakers are currently being finalised and will be announced very shortly.
What about the social/networking events? VAE will provide many networking opportunities, both organised and impromptu. The largest organised event will be the first night party at ExCeL’s Fox Bar. More than 1,000 show-goers will get together to enjoy great food and drink plus live entertainment in a fun environment. Tickets will be available from exhibitors.
Why should overseas visitors make the trip to VAE, especially if they have already been to EAS/IAAPA? The UK can hold its head high in the global amusements and attractions industry. Our manufacturers are some of the most innovative and several of the products on show will be enjoying their European launches. Historically, product development was focused on releases at the large international shows. Increasingly, the development cycle is more of a constant with releases throughout the year.
How easy ExCeL is to reach to from central London?
ExCeL is an extraordinarily impressive facility and has won numerous awards for its accessibility and the standard of facilities on offer. For air travellers, London City Airport is a few minutes’ taxi ride from ExCeL and handles over 350 flights a day to 40 UK and international destinations. London’s Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports are all within one-and-a-half hour’s journey time. London ExCeL benefits from three on-site Docklands Light Railway (DLR) stations connecting with the Jubilee line on the London Underground. For
26 NOVEMBER 2014
Now in its third year, the ATRAX exhibition returns to Turkey’s bustling metropolis of Istanbul next month. Few people doubt the country‘s potential within the theme parks and attractions industry, and since its inception in 2012 the show has also picked up interest from participants representing Africa, Russia, the Balkans and various Middle Eastern countries. So, if you’re active in one of these areas – or would like to be – make your way to the Istanbul Fuar Merkezi exhibition centre (close to the city’s international airport) from 4 to 6 December.
atraxexpo.com
those arriving by car, ExCeL is located close to the M25, London’s orbital motorway. Parking is immediately below the exhibition concourse, with 2,700 spaces.
Where you would you recommend visitors stay – Docklands or a more “lively” part of London? Many visitors will enjoy the convenience of staying in a hotel on the ExCeL campus or close by in areas such as Canary Wharf. Other interesting options include Greenwich and the area around Tower Bridge and St Katharine Docks. Greenwich is accessible via River Bus or cable car, whilst Tower Hill is around 17 minutes from ExCeL on the DLR.
Visitor Attraction Expo takes place from Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 January at the ExCeL exhibition centre, London Docklands. Free advance registration is available at
attractionsexpo.com BALPPA will be staging its Annual Dinner at Madame Tussauds on Monday night 12 January, and its AGM the day after.
balppa.org.uk
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