Industry Event
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EXCELLENCE Family Entertainment
The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA) held its inaugural FEC trade show and Excellence Awards on Monday 27 November at Drayton Manor Hotel, UK. Park World reports
The Judges
Susie Brindley Director of Willow Business Support, which helps businesses to realise their full potential and maximise profi t, has over 30 years experience working at a senior level within the visitor economy
Colin Dawson Retired CEO of BALPPA and former director and general manager of Thorpe Park. Spent four years as managing director of Dreamland Leisure and two years as parks and attractions director of
LeisureHub.com
Ronnie Dungan Managing editor of Global Amusements and Play and freelance publishing exec and communications specialist
Tommy Leighton Editor of Indoor Play Magazine and media relations specialists
34 A
imed at the Family Entertainment Centre (FEC) and Indoor Play sectors of the UK leisure industry, this dual event encompassed both a trade exhibition
during the day and a dedicated awards in the evening. The events were designed with the aim of shining a spotlight on entrepreneurs, organisations, suppliers and professionals within the leisure industry, covering both those already established and those looking to enter it. Conveniently located just outside Birmingham, the Leisure, FEC & Indoor Play Trade Exhibition brought together 55 trade suppliers to the UK leisure industry, totalling 120 experts and trade specialists from across an ever-increasing sector. The exhibition also offered targeted networking events, education seminars and training. The BALPPA Excellence Awards, meanwhile, aimed to highlight the quality of leisure provision within the UK, focusing on those that go beyond legislative demands and best practice to offer a truly exceptional experience for the children and families that visit their attraction. The Awards also recognised the frontline employees that work within these organisations, as well as the suppliers that support them. Both members and non-members of BALPPA were invited to nominate others and to self nominate their own business across seven categories of awards. Each category was judged by an independent panel of industry experts, which decided on a shortlist of fi nalists. These fi nalist attractions were subject to a mystery shopper exercise to determine the Gold, Silver and Bronze Excellence Award placements. More than 180 professionals attended the Excellence
Awards Dinner, to celebrate with industry friends and colleagues as they received their awards. BALPPA CEO Paul Kelly was in charge of the proceedings, with the sponsor of each category presenting the awards to the winners.
The winners Safari MK was awarded the Gold award for Food and Beverage, with Time Twisters and Hickory Dickory Playhouse winning silver and bronze respectively. Head Over Heels Chorlton won the gold for best attraction sized between 6,000-12,000 square feet, with Cheeky Monkeys picking up the silver and ScallyWags the gold. The Bubbles Factory, meanwhile, won for attractions under 6,000 square feet. Moving into the big leagues, the gold award for best attraction over 12,000 square feet went to Hobbledown, whilst Kidspace Croydon won silver and Brean Play the bronze. The gold Employee of Excellence award went to Claire Morton of Web Adventure. Jazmine Harris of Partyman World received the silver, and Mark Brooks of West Midlands Safari Park was awarded the bronze. Teddy Mountain was awarded the gold for FEC Trade Supplier; Regency Purchasing the silver, and Vimto Out of Home the bronze. One to Watch (non BALPPA Member) went to Jungleland (gold); Kidzplay (silver) and Chucklebutties (bronze).
The BALPPA Excellence Awards aims to honour
organisations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, recognising outstanding performance, quality and commitment to the leisure industry in the UK. The date for the 2018 Leisure, FEC & Indoor Play Trade Exhibition will be released soon - visit
www.balppa.org to fi nd out more.
JANUARY 2018
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