parkworld-online.com
ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus talks intellectual property at the EAS Leadership Breakfast
Show Review
This year’s Euro Attractions Show took place from
October 6 to 8 in the Swedish city of Gothenburg. The event marked two significant firsts. It was the inaugural EAS in Scandinavia, and also the
first “park-integrated” show, making the most of its location at the Svenska
Mässan (Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre) and the close proximity of Liseberg amusement park, the
Universium science centre
and the city centre, all within walking distance. Becci Knowles reports
Thank you for the amusement T
he format was a hit with visitors, even if there were fewer of them than previous EAS events in more easy to reach cities. According to initial reports from
organiser IAAPA Europe, approximately 7,000 people attended the show, coming from 96 countries, almost a third (30%) from Scandinavia. Remarkable was the amount of visitors from Eastern Europe, said IAAPA. The attendance reversed the upward trajectory that EAS has been on for the last few years, with 8,138 visitors during 2012 in Berlin, 8,584 for 2013's event in Paris and 10,750 last year in Amsterdam. Yet all those cities are an easy direct flight for most people in Europe; Gothenburg isn't necessarily and quite a few visitors has to catch a connecting flight. With the event falling this year in October (as opposed to September), just six week's before the big IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, it’s quite conceiveable some decided to stay at home, wait, and head for the Florida sun instead in November for their trade show fix.
Large show floor There was, however, plenty to see and do for those that travelled to Gothenburg. No fewer than 408 companies exhibited their latest products and services across the two- hall 10,500 square-metre show floor, making it the second largest EAS in the 12-year history of the event. Attendees had repeated access to Liseberg, with five
parties and receptions, plus several more education opportunities. As well as the Opening Reception, Mack Rides held a reception on Wednesday evening alongside its Helix launch coaster, arguably now the park's signature ride. Parallel to the exhibition. more than 30 hours of seminars were offered, plus additional ticketed sessions and training
LEFT: Park World’s Jacqui Hunter satisfies her chocolate cravings at Liseberg
ABBA meets EAS
opportunities. Thursday morning's Leadership Breakfast featured a keynote address by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, who talked intellectual property to a capacity audience. Elsewhere during the week IAAPA's vice-president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Karen Staley made an appearance as Agnetha Fältskog alongside Liseberg CEO Andreas Anderson and other industry figures. ABBA's music also featured at several parties.
Integrated experience “Going north was a good idea,” remarked Staley, once back in normal clothes. “The location of Liseberg, right next to the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre, provided attendees with a fully integrated experience. This made the entire event inspiring, hands-on, and very enjoyable.” “Kudos to the organising committee on the opportunity to combine events with Liseberg visits,” said Triotech's Christian Martin.“Be it the opening reception, the leadership breakfast etc, it was very insightful.” “It’s been a good show; qualified, quality buyers,” commented BALPPA chairman and director of Funland Amusement Park in the UK, Marshall Hill. Reflecting on the changing face of the industry, he added: “Parks are much more family orientated now; teenagers spend all of their money on their phones!” For many in attendance, EAS was a chance to spend
time with their chosen family and industry colleagues, which is why if you didn't go you missed out.
Additional contributions by Owen Ralph. Read part 2 of Becci Knowles' report in the November issue of Park World or you might just find online already at parkworld-
online.com/EAS2015/
19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56