Show Review
parkworld-online.com
EAS 2016
Barcelona show breaks all records!
Whichever way you judge it – number of visitors, number of exhibitors or occupied
floor space – last month's Euro Attractions Show (EAS) in Barcelona was the largest in its 10 year-plus history. Owen Ralph reports from
the fabulous three-day event organised by IAAPA EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)
T
he first EAS to be held in southern Europe since 2010's event in Rome was also a lot of fun. Many of the 12,600 attractions professionals that came to
Barcelona were surely enticed not only by the 525+ exhibitors on offer, the many education opportunities and networking events, but also by the Catalan capital itself, where temperatures hovered around the mid-20s (ºC) all week. Reaching the city was easy, with direct flights available from across Europe, unlike last year's excellent but less well-attended EAS in Gothenburg, Sweden. As well as many visitors from across the Mediterranean, there was also an increase this time in attendance from the Middle East, an indication perhaps that IAAPA EMEA's extended reach is beginning to pay dividends. “Hosting the event in the heart of Catalunya and
BOTTOM LEFT: The EAS reception at Tibidabo was a lovely event
MIDDLE: Flamenco dancers at the European Star Awards
image courtesy Kirmes & Park Revue
Barcelona underlined the importance of leisure destinations and attractions in the Spanish tourism industry”, reported Karen Staley, senior vice-president for IAAPA EMEA. “Catalunya tourism professionals attended the event in big numbers and there was a strong presence of local companies on the exhibition floor.” It was back in the year 2000 that IAAPA brought its Summer Meeting to Barcelona, taking in visits to the city's hilltop amusement park Tibidabo, and also PortAventura near Tarragona. Those two facilities, visited subsequently
by BALPPA and others during their own events in the city, were “no brainers” when it came to the programme for EAS 2016. PortAventura World featured heavily, serving as the backdrop to a behind-the-scenes tour, IAAPA Safety Institute and the European Star Awards on Monday, as well as participating in several education opportunities at Fira Barcelona and co-hosting the IAAPA Institute for Attractions Managers.
Best opening reception ever? Tibidabo, on the other hand, provided the breathtaking backdrop to Tuesday night's Opening Reception, up there with Paris' Musée des Arts Forains (used in 2013) as one of the best venues ever for an EAS party. Charming rides and attractions, abundant food and drink, nice live music and stunning views over the city below all contributed to a memorable evening in the company of industry colleagues old and new. Perhaps the only thing that spoiled it was the duration; some attendees having less than two hours to enjoy all the above once their buses had made their way through Barcelona's rush hour traffic. Another hour in the park, particularly for those left stranded outside waiting for buses home, would have made all the difference. But still, those views! On Wednesday night there was no official EAS party, so
the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) stepped in with a well-attended Mixer event over at the city's waterfront aquarium, where IAAPA hosted a behind-the- scenes tour on Thursday morning, whilst WhiteWater hosted its own party up on roof terrace of the Museu
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