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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.
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All players of the European attractions industry are now ready to gather together at the tenth edition of the Euro Attractions Show, which is just about to start at the Porte de Versailles convention center in Paris, France.
More than 8,000 attendees including 40% of non-Europeans are expected by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) from this Wednesday September 18 to Friday September 20 for three days of business meetings, learning and networking.
After the record edition last year in Berlin, IAAPA had to deal once again with a high demand for exhibition space. As a result, the event organizer opened a second hall this summer and reports a new record number of 393 exhibitors including 44 French companies and 84 first-time exhibitors.
“With the largest exhibit floor in the history of EAS and the highest pre-registration numbers, we are very excited about the upcoming Euro Attractions Show 2013 in Paris and the last week of preparation. We think this will be a fantastic event which shouldn’t be missed by anyone working in the European attractions industry.” commented Karen Staley, Vice President of IAAPA Europe.
As a supporting publication of the trade show for the second consecutive year, NewsParcs will do a full coverage of the event. Our editor, François Mayné, will meet suppliers, consultants and operators to have a look at the latest trends and developments of the theme park industry. We will also present a live-tweeting event on our Twitter account the day prior to the show's opening (Tuesday, September 17) during the final preparations of the set up. Please follow @NewsParcs with the hashtag #EAS13.
EAS 2013 preview
Euro Attractions Show 2013 will be inaugurated at the EAS Theater (Hall 5) at 10:30 am with introductory words from IAAPA Chairman of the Board Will Morey, IAAPA President Paul Noland and IAAPA Vice President of European Operations Karen Staley, a video resuming what's new in Europe this year and, of course, a ribbon cutting ceremony. The show floor will be open from 11:00 am to 18:00 pm on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19, and from 11:00 am to 16:00 on Friday 20.
If EAS is firstly a place to conduct business and find out what's new on the market, the learning aspect has not been forgotten by IAAPA which is organizing an extensive programme of conferences and seminars during the week.
While you are reading these lines, the IAAPA Institute for Attractions Manager is for instance in progress at Disneyland Paris, offering a comprehensive training in attractions management to emerging industry professionals. Also at Disneyland Paris, technical experts and interested individuals will attend the IAAPA Safety Institute this Tuesday and learn more about ride safety, the importance of accessibility or the backstage of Europe's top theme park destination.
On Wednesday and Thursday, the education conference programme will approach nine topics to be discussed by leading professionals around the trends and latest developments in the attractions industry in Europe. Highlights of the programme include new products and technologies, social media management, sustainable savings, lodging and resort development, storytelling recipes or seasonal events. Also on the agenda, the CEO Talk session will offer an hour of discussion with Bart de Boer (Efteling), Miikka Seppala (Särkänniemi), Amanda Thompson (Blackpool Pleasure Beach) and Nicolas de Villiers (Puy du Fou). Read more about the conference programme.
The professionals of water parks and family entertainment centers / indoor playgrounds will also get the possibility to attend their own education programme in Paris. The Water Park Forum will be organized on Thursday afternoon at Aquaboulevard while the FEC Seminar Day will be held Friday all day.
EAS is also the place to be to meet the European attractions community thanks to the different networking opportunities offered over the week. On Wednesday evening, more than 1,000 buyers and exhibitors will meet at the Musée des Arts Forains for the opening reception. The next morning, the CEO of Euro Disney S.C.A. (operator of Disneyland Paris) Philippe Gas will keynote the Leadership Breakfast at the EAS Theater. At last, young professionals will discuss with prominent theme park industry leaders during the first ever Young Professional Forum on Thursday evening.
Several tours of French attractions are also scheduled at Parc Astérix (Friday) and Disneyland Paris (sold out) while the EAS Post Tour will invite interested attendees to visit Puy du Fou (Thea Classic Award in 2011 and nominee for the Applause Award in 2012), Futuroscope and Les Machines de Nantes during the week-end following the show.
In addition to the IAAPA official schedule, other organizations will hold their own special events over the Parisian week. Starting with the German trade magazine Kirmes & Park Revue which will present their award ceremony of the "European Star Award" honoring the theme park industry in Europe. For this second edition, more than 25 experts have voted in 10 award categories including 'best amusement parks', 'best steel roller coasters' and 'best new rides for 2013'.
On the evening of Thursday September 19, the themed entertainment industry players will respond to the invitation of the EMEA division of the Themed Entertainment Association (booth #1033) to meet at the Ballon de Paris (operated by Aérophile, booth #1516) for their traditional TEA Mixer. TEA members and guests are invited to join the event to take advantage of this great networking opportunity and enjoy some French wines and toasts. Space is limited and it is necessary to register with TEA as soon as possible.
Practical information
All practical information regarding the trade show, conference programme, special events and tours are available on EAS 2013 official website. IAAPA has already made the on-site catalogue available with more details about the exhibition center, exhibiting companies, product categories, schedule and more. Registration will be still available on-site at the entrance of Hall 4.
EAS is sponsored by the following suppliers: BRC Imagination Arts, Forrec, JN Entertainment & Leisure Consultancy, Jack Rouse Associates, MACK Rides, Polin, Omniticket Network, S&S-Sansei Technologies, Vekoma Rides Manufacturing, Freeman and GES.
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Several tours of French attractions are also scheduled at Parc Astérix (Friday) and Disneyland Paris (sold out) while the EAS Post Tour will invite interested attendees to visit Puy du Fou (Thea Classic Award in 2011 and nominee for the Applause Award in 2012), Futuroscope and Les Machines de Nantes during the week-end following the show.
