IAAPA Preview
www.parkworld-online.com
IAAPA Expo Europe 2022: a preview
As industry sees a return to in-person events this year, London’s ExCeL will play host to the IAAPA Expo Europe from September 12-15. Peter van der Schans, Executive Director and Vice President of IAAPA EMEA, tells Park World what to expect.
Peter van der Schans
This is your fi rst IAAPA Expo Europe since taking on your role as IAAPA’s EMEA Executive Director & Vice President – what are you looking forward to the most? One of the most exciting things for me will be the chance to meet so many members in-person for the first time. Leading the IAAPA EMEA team, which is responsible for such a vast geographical region, is not a job I take lightly. On
any given day I can talk to members from the United Kingdom and Germany to South Africa and Saudi Arabia. I’ve attended IAAPA expo events in the past and enjoyed them all. This one I expect to hold a special place in my memories because it’s the first Expo I’m attending and get to hear directly from attending members. I’ll be able to take their concerns to my team for review so we may create engagement opportunities or new action items.
The Expo is back in London for the fi rst time since 2011. Is the IAAPA team looking forward to returning, and why is the UK such an important part of IAAPA’s EMEA region? The EMEA team as well as supporting staff from our headquarters in Orlando cannot wait to get back to London in September. The UK is so important to our region for several reasons, including how London is a world-class city known for its history and outstanding connectivity and easy access points. Specifically for the leisure industry, the UK is the largest representation of
our overall EMEA membership. We have excellent partners and members throughout the country, including Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which is IAAPA’s longest standing member with more than 75 years of history with our association.
What kind of new developments and innovation can we expect to see at the Expo? How is technology driving advancements in guest experience? What’s so wonderful about IAAPA Expo Europe is that it’s the best time to shine a light on new products and innovation all throughout our industry. I expect the trade show floor to showcase everything from new FEC offerings to exciting merchandising news to on-floor announcements of park expansions and plans. When it comes to technology-driven advancements, that’s actually a
two-part reality. We know that prior to the pandemic industry leaders were preparing to use technology to improve the guest experience. The pandemic fast-tracked that becoming a priority. I’m proud of how our members adapted so quickly to the needs for an improved guest experience while addressing real health and safety concerns.
What are some of the key events on the agenda attendees can look forward to? We’re thrilled to have such a great partner with the team from the Chessington World of Adventures and Resort this year. They are hosting us for three events on the 13 September – our featured EDUTour, Safety Day and Sustainability
26
Day. Taking registered attendees to one location able to highlight so many aspects of our industry is quite special. Another off-site option that Monday (the day before the trade show floor
opens) includes visits to Electric Gamebox, Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside, Wipeout and Puttshack Lakeside for our Indoor Entertainment Day program. I encourage IAAPA Expo Europe attendees to review our conference
schedule online to see our theme for education this year: use of technology and digital transformation, understanding the power of human capital, unlocking creativity, improving operations, and our signature sessions.
Sustainability has become a big focus for the leisure industry. Tell me more about the Sustainability Day event and some of the changes we are seeing as attractions adapt their operations to be more sustainable. Our Sustainability Day is a full-day programme that includes education sessions and facility tours dedicated to the important issues and topics facing the global attractions industry regarding environmental, social and economic sustainable operations. This event will bring together leading operators and suppliers to discuss
long-term sustainability of members, their partners, and communities. Registered participants visiting Chessington World of Adventures and Resort can expect to start their day with an industry update before diving into the heart of the discussion. Last year we hosted our first Sustainability Day and it was a great success.
This year we will be covering the three pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The day will focus on the group strategic approach to sustainable
operations and, hopefully, we’ll all leave inspired by visionary IAAPA members and re-committed to finding more impactful sustainable offerings and techniques that can be executed at other parks and attractions. IAAPA is practicing what we preach with this programme at our Expo this
year, including a focus on using even more recycled paper materials and pushing for digital products and signage.
As we know, the leisure industry has been heavily impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. How well do you think the industry has bounced back? Bouncing back as an industry cannot be defined as any one moment or perceived victory. Even right now, the EMEA team and I are aware of the lingering and real concerns with the global pandemic. While I wish I could say everything was “normal,” we cannot ignore the true state and ongoing spread of the virus. All that said, what the global leisure and attractions industry has done to
mitigate and remain operational however possible since early 2020 cannot be commended enough. Our industry may have taken a forced break from our business of fun, but the purpose and mission of what we do never faded. Some concrete examples of bouncing back include the ongoing, staggered
reopening of destinations around Europe, announcements of expanded park offerings, and the quick implementation of technology to maintain a high level of guest experience and satisfaction. Something that emerged from everything was also a recalibration of sorts as it relates to who industry leaders consider their main guest. With most travel
SUMMER PART 2 2022
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