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IAAPA EMEA Spring Forum


Members enjoy packed itinenary on Italian trip


Members attending last month's IAAPA EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) Spring Forum by the banks of Lake Garda in Northern Italy were treated to a rich itinerary comprising visits to three theme parks, a waterpark and an aquarium, plus a plethora of networking lunches, cocktail receptions and dinners. Owen Ralph reports


B Gardaland


ased at the Gardaland Hotel, the three-day event (May 23 to 25) followed last year's successful Spring Forum from the International Association of


Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) in Istanbul. Around Non-stop action at Movieland!


170 delegates, including park operators, suppliers and industry professionals from across the EMEA region, gathered at Gardaland to catch up with industry colleagues and share thoughts, concerns and ideas in relaxed surroundings.


Italian hospitality After a morning of committee meetings, the event began with a networking lunch on Monday afternoon (May 23), followed an an address of welcome from Gardaland CEO Aldo Vigevani and general manager Danilo Santi. The afternoon continued with a tour of Gardaland Resort's Sea Life aquarium and a sneak peek of the new Gardaland Adventure Hotel developed by park operator Merlin Entertainments. This, the second hotel on site at Gardaland Resort features a choice of Jungle, Arctic, Wild West and Arabian themed rooms plus a Tutankhamon Restaurant. The evening programme commenced with an awards


ceremony from the Italian park enthusiasts' website Parksmania, one of the Spring Forum's sponsors alongside Polin Waterparks, the trade associations ANCASVI and ANESV-AGIS and the Italian Trade Agency. IAAPA members and guests then convened at the nautical themed Locanda Del Cosaro Nero restaurant for dinner. It was an early start on Tuesday as delegates gathered in


the hotel lobby ready to bussed over to Canevaworld, even closer to Lake Garda. Founded over a decade ago, this plucky resort comprises Movieland park and Caneva Aquapark, the Medieval Times dinner show and Rock Star Restaurant. Here presentations were delivered by Canevaworld's own Fabio Amicabile alongside Bernard Giampaolo, CEO of Mirabilandia park near Ravenna. A whistle-stop tour of Movieland and the adjacent Caneava Aquapark followed, during which many inventive rides and attractions were sampled and some delegates even landed a role in the park’s Overdrive stunt show! Tuesday afternoon was spent over at Leolandia, a small


park to the north of Milan that has enjoyed exceptional results in recent years due to various improvements including the arrival of Peppa Pig and other intellectual properties. Last


28 JUNE 2016


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