Show Review
PortAventura will feature prominently in the week’s events
EAS 2016 Catalonia is calling! Beach, metropolis,
interesting architecture, great food, drink and
weather: what's not to like about Barcelona? Throw in a few park visits and the chance to mingle with
around 9,000 of your closest industry colleagues and the Catalan capital really will
have it all next month when Euro Attractions Show (EAS) rolls into town for its first event in southern Europe since 2009's gathering in
Rome. Here's a taste of what to expect
W
hilst the trade show kicks off on Tuesday, September 20, a number of events and activities will be taking place ahead of that (see
also “EAS education”). On Monday, for example, there is the day-long EDU-Tour at PortAventura World, offering back stage access to the main theme park, Costa Caribe waterpark and a sneak preview of new Ferrari Land theme park, set to open in spring 2017. Tickets to the tour are priced €85/110 (IAAPA members/non-members). The same evening, at the same venue, will see the presentation of the fifth European Star Awards from Kirmes & Park Revue.
Strictly speaking it's invitation only, but EDU-Tour attendees are invited to stop on and avail themselves of complimentary refreshments as they strap themselves in for the lengthy ceremony. Those keen to schedule some long breakfast meetings, or who simply aren't morning people and perhaps over indulged the night before, will be pleased to learn that EAS will be adopting a “southern European schedule” for 2016, which means an 11am start each day, or 10 on Tuesday if you want to catch the showbiz-style Opening Ceremony. Once the doors are flung open, visitors will be able to browse 12,000 net square-metres of exhibits from around 450 participating companies – the largest EAS exhibit floor in the event's 15-year history. This year's Opening Reception on Tuesday night will
take place at the charming Tibidabo amusement park high above Barcelona, offering attendees spectacular views of the city, a chance to try out some unique rides, and of course mix and mingle with industry colleagues over all- inclusive food and drink. Tickets are €80/95. The only official IAAPA evening event on Wednesday is
RIGHT: The exhibition venue EAS education
Ahead of the main event, there will be both a three-day (Sunday to Tuesday) IAAPA Institute for Attractions Managers and a one-day (Monday) IAAPA Safety Institute, held at Caribe Resort Hotel and PortAventura World respectively. See the EAS website for registration details and fees. Meanwhile WhiteWater is staging an afternoon of waterpark seminars on Monday at Hotel Arts, followed by a drinks reception with BALPPA. Contact
simon.palmer@
whitewaterwest.com for more details. PortAventura World will feature prominently in this year's EAS education programme. CEO Carlo Bonomi will deliver Thursday morning's Leadership Breakfast. Hear him discuss one of Europe's most successful theme park resorts and its ambitious plans for growth over a hot buffet breakfast for €90/110 (IAAPA members/non-members). A key weapon in those plans of course is the new Ferrari Land park opening in April, which will also be the subject of a Lunch & Learn session on Tuesday (€57/77), delivered by Michele Ignatius. On Tuesday and Wednesday there will be 15 seminars and panel discussions – available to all EAS badge holders – covering topics including pricing, show and events, increasing dining spend, VIP guest programmes, the experience economy, employee engagement, human resources, corporate partnership programmes and implementing an emergency response plan. Park World has picked out the sessions below as looking particularly promising. Room For Growth – lodging and resort development in the attractions business
(Tuesday, 1230-1345). Speakers will include Michael Collins (Leisure Development Partners) and Søren Kragelund (Fårup Sommerland, Denmark). CEO Talk (Tuesday, 1700-1800). An all-Spanish panel for 2016: Fernando Aldecoa (PortAventura World), Rosa Ortiz (Tibidabo), Joan Cama Sacrest (Illa Fantasia) and Diego Gracia Lovaco, (Parque Warner Madrid). TEA Presents: Intellectual Property Questions Answered (Wednesday, 1400-1800). Two sessions for the price of one, including contributions from Michael Collins, James Kennard and Natalia Bakhlina (Leisure Development Partners), Magreet Papamichael (Economics, AECOM), Danielle Tanton (DHX Brands), Jakob Wahl (Europa-Park), Johan Granholm (Lappset), Rosalind Johnson and Nick Farmer (Timbalaya). Spotlight on the Middle East (Wednesday 1645-1800). Panel discussion with Tolga Ali o lu (Water Garden Istanbul/ex-Vialand), Hakan Akbas (Advisor, Albright Stone Bridge Group, Turkey), Ali Behnam (A&B Consulting Group, Iran), Yves Delhommeau, Compagnie des Alpes, Maghreb), Ahmad Hussain Bin Essa (Global Village, Dubai). The last day of the show, Thursday, will be given over to dedicated day-long (0830/0900-1500) education sessions for operators in various industry sectors, including the Water Park Forum and FEC/Small Park/Indoor Play Day. Head to the EAS website for more details/fees etc.
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the Young Professionals Forum at the convention centre, followed by drinks at a nearby hotel. Maybe you're old enough to attend, maybe you're not, in which case consider the TEA Mixer from the Themed Entertainment Association at L'aquarium de Barcelona. It runs from 6.30 to 9.30pm. See
teaconnect.org. Or, if you fancy seeing the fish without the drinks, sign up for a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium on Thursday morning from 09.30 to 11.30. An EAS Post Tour is scheduled from Thursday evening
right through until Sunday evening, September 25. The itinerary includes visits to Zoo Aquarium Madrid, Parque de Atraccionnes Madrid, Parque Warner Madrid and Warner Beach Waterpark, Isla Magica and Agua Magica waterpark in Seville, plus free time in Madrid and a closing dinner in Seville. The price for IAAPA members is €940 including hotels, meals and first class train travel. An intimate but high profile group is promised.
EAS 2016 takes place from Tuesday to Thursday, September 20 to 22 at Fira Gran Via Convention Center. Located less than 5km from central Barcelona, it's accessible by road, rail, Metro and even has its own helipad; useful for those IAAPA executives. More info at
iaapa.org/expos/euro- attractions-show
Tibidabo will host the EAS Opening Reception
AUGUST 2016
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