NewsParcs is an online trade publication dedicated to theme park industry professionals worldwide.
Since 1998, we work in direct contact with manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, owners and operators to publish only reliable and relevant information.
NewsParcs will do a full coverage of the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 in Orlando to have a look at the latest trends and developments of the global theme park industry.
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Euro Attractions Show 2013 – Interview with
Karen Staley, Vice President IAAPA Europe - Part 2
The Euro Attractions Show 2013 will debut next week at the exhibition center of Porte de Versailles in Paris. While both exhibitors and attendees are ready to gather for 3 days of business meetings, learning and networking, the event organizer IAAPA Europe is working hard on the final preparations.
NewsParcs wanted to learn more about the organization and the people behind the largest conference and trade show for the European attractions industry. We publish today the second part of our interview with Karen Staley, IAAPA Europe Vice President Read the first part of the interview here. NewsParcs: What are the strong points of the Euro Attractions Show? And the weak points to improve?
Karen Staley: I think we deliver a great networking and learning platform for the complete attractions industry. It is a major event, where you can see and hear what’s going on in the attractions industry while networking with colleagues from all over the world to learn from them. Weak points, that’s a good question: I think it’s sometimes difficult as a new visitor / member to get the feel of a close community at such a large trade show; however we try and encourage all visitors to participate in all events and to go to the many seminars to meet other members to network and share. Read more: overview of the conference programme and special events with Jakob Wahl
NewsParcs: Is it possible to get an idea of the investment made by IAAPA for organizing the show?
Karen Staley: I’m afraid not, but excluding staff costs, we are already talking about a very high six-digit amount. It takes a lot of man hours and investment to produce a high quality show, but we are committed as IAAPA to deliver the very best product possible.
NewsParcs: What's the role of the commercial partners and sponsors of EAS?
Karen Staley: We receive support from the Porte de Versailles with building and standard services for our exhibitors, the Paris convention and visitors’ bureau helps us by marketing the event on their web site and by providing us with services such as help desks for attendees in the airport and the train stations. We all work together to promote EAS and to provide our visitors (exhibitors and attendees) with the best possible experience in France.
NewsParcs: What are the key figures of the EAS 2013 trade show's installation?
Karen Staley: We usually start setting up the show 3-4 days before the opening and start with the biggest exhibitors to have their material fixed. Several months prior to the show, all exhibitors receive the so-called exhibitor manual, where they are informed about all regulations, required safety and insurance forms, and where they also can order additional services: starting from electricity and water to carpet and furniture, hostesses, food, drinks, and/or flowers. Most of these services are offered through our logistics partner GES or local suppliers.
Save the date : On Tuesday September 17, NewsParcs will hold a special live-tweeting session on Twitter during the set up of the show floor. We will have a look behind the scenes of the last preparations, while collecting the feelings of some exhibitors. Follow @NewsParcs with the hashtag #EAS13.
NewsParcs: How many people will be involved in the organization on-site?
Karen Staley: In addition to the IAAPA Europe staff, there are additional colleagues helping from our global offices. We also expected to have around 40 persons as temporary help / hostesses at the show, obviously we will have a large number of security workers to keep the facility safe and control entry, there are the caterers, the cleaners of the buildings, the stand builders and the list goes on.
NewsParcs: Are you seeing a new wave of products or services available on the show floor? What will be the trend in 2013 and beyond?
Karen Staley: At EAS we are seeing more 4D / 5D theaters, theming aspects and in general more interactive products for park guests. We are seeing an emergence of more waterpark products as well as a greater diversity among playground structures.
NewsParcs: What are the key elements of the future development of EAS?
Karen Staley We are naturally seeing more and more interest in our industry from the BRIC countries at EAS and in IAAPA and as an association are working to better understand the market in these countries. We would of course like to see more members learning about the industry and benefiting through IAAPA from these countries via the trade show, so we try to promote to the show in all regions. However as you already know, EAS is quite a young show, we are celebrating our 10th anniversary this year! As with any new product EAS needed some time to grow and become known here in Europe. We are of course very pleased with the recent shows and are very much looking forward to Paris which is already breaking exhibit records.
Europe has a very large attractions industry, especially considering not only the classic amusement parks, but also the large number of zoos, museums, or other leisure facilities which develop into true attractions. They all have a need to network with other operators, to learn from each other, and to see what is out there on the market. And there is no better place here in Europe than EAS to do so.
NewsParcs: When do you usually begin to plan the next trade show? Karen Staley: We are, as we are speaking, already in talks for the future locations of EAS up to 2016. But the daily work for our team starts always one summer ahead of the show. We are for example already assigning the first booths on the trade show for EAS 2014 in Amsterdam and are of course already preparing the attendee and exhibit marketing for EAS 2014 as well.
Exhibitors are usually informed one year ahead of the show when we approach them concerning booth selections. The members of the manufacturers & supplier committee and the European advisory committee are obviously informed a bit earlier on future show locations to give us enough time on working on the preparations. IAAPA members will see marketing for EAS 2014 at EAS 2013 already as well. NewsParcs: Thanks a lot Karen Staley for answering our questions!
If you are interested by exhibiting at EAS 2014 in Amsterdam, or if you want more information about the advantages of being a member of IAAPA, please don't hesitate to meet IAAPA team during the show on the IAAPA Central booth #1458 (Hall 4).
As one of the partnering publication of EAS 13, NewsParcs will do a full coverage of the event to have a look at the latest trends and developments of the theme park industry. Companies willing to meet us are invited to contact our editor François Mayné (contact@newsparcs.com) to schedule a meeting.
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NewsParcs will do a full coverage of the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 in Orlando to have a look at the latest trends and developments of the global theme park industry.
NewsParcs: What are the strong points of the Euro Attractions Show? And the weak points to improve? 
NewsParcs: How many people will be involved in the organization on-site? 
NewsParcs: When do you usually begin to plan the next trade show?
