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.
Follow us on Twitter (@NewsParcs) from November 19 to 22 with the hashtag #IAAPA
The tenth edition of the Euro Attractions Show will start in just a little over 2 weeks in Paris. While both exhibitors and attendees are ready to gather at the exhibition center of Porte de Versailles for 3 days of business meetings, learning and networking, the event organizer IAAPA Europe is working hard in the final preparations.
NewsParcs wanted to learn more with Karen Staley, IAAPA Europe Vice President, about the organization and the people behind the largest conference and trade show for the European attractions industry.
NewsParcs: EAS showed top attendance levels and record exhibition space in recent years. How do you explain the success of the trade show?
Karen Staley: We think that with the help of our members, exhibitors, attendees, and sponsors, together we have created a good-looking, professional trade show aimed at the European attractions industry. And with the extensive conference programme, the networking events, and the various tours and visits, there are many things to experience throughout the event, which attracts more buyers each year. We also owe so much gratitude to the national associations who support us in marketing the event and bring their members to EAS.
NewsParcs: Overall, how much work does the organization of EAS 2013 take? How many people are involved in the organization amongst the IAAPA staff?
Karen Staley: IAAPA Europe consists of a team of five staff members. Two among these five work all year long on EAS: Claudio Boni and Andrea Kolar are responsible for booth sales and operations of the trade show. The other three spend approximately 50% of their working time on the event, Jakob Wahl takes care of the marketing, registration, and the conference programme and, together with me, all of the special events and tours.
Besides the five staff members in Europe, we have lots of support of our global offices around the world in the areas of event planning, exhibit sales, and membership services as well. In the final weeks before the show opens, this obviously increases massively. It is, all in all, a lot of work to prepare, organize, and operate this event.
NewsParcs: What's the role of the European committee in the organization?
Karen Staley: IAAPA Europe is guided by four sub-committees and an Advisory Committee, all put together by representatives of European IAAPA members in good standing: the safety sub-committee is heavily involved in the programme of the IAAPA Safety Institute which will take place this year on 17 September 2013 at Disneyland Paris. The Education Sub-Committee plans and organizes the extensive conference programme with the various sessions and the sub-committee for manufacturers & suppliers agrees on stand rates, events, and future show location. These decisions are all brought up to the European Advisory Committee, which acknowledges and / or confirms these discussions. Read more: overview of the conference programme with Jakob Wahl, Programme Manager of IAAPA Europe.
NewsParcs: What are the main challenges of organizing such a trade show?
Karen Staley: So far, rotating from country to country has been challenging. In each new city we needed to learn about each new location: each country has different rules & regulations and so does each trade show facility. What is allowed, what isn’t? Which electrical plugs are used, who needs to be informed, which hotels are the best etc…? All those operational questions are still new to us when we come to a city like Paris, where we have never been before.
Secondly providing a great experience can be challenging. We try our best to offer informative seminars, great special events and a variety of hotel locations. Sometimes it is very well received and other times we are encouraged to do better.
NewsParcs: EAS has been organized in several cities/countries these past years. Do you intend to look at new locations for future editions, or do you intend to come regularly to some of the previous ones? What are your requirements?
Karen Staley: First of all, it’s IAAPA’s goal to come to a rotation schedule of 4-5 cities, which have proven to be good locations for Euro Attractions Show and where exhibitors and attendees would have a successful trade show experience. So far, we have identified three cities, which worked well for us, where we could imagine going back to in the years to come.
In general the M&S sub-committee looks for cities of international draw, good and modern exhibition facilities, international accessibility, located in an area with a solid leisure industry. These locations are discussed and voted on by the M&S sub-committee who then requests the approval of the European Advisory. Lastly then the recommendation for location is brought up to the global board for approval.
Our plan is to make it easier for everyone: not only from an economical point of view, but it is also the fact, that everyone knows the location, hotels, and local characteristics. But we always want to keep one spot open for a new city and an emerging market.
NewsParcs: What's the role of IAAPA's headquarters in the decision process?
Karen Staley: As a member driven, global association, the decision of the European Advisory Committee is brought up to the global IAAPA Board of Directors, which finally approves the location of the show.
NewsParcs: Are there synergies between organizers of the various IAAPA trade shows around the world?
Karen Staley: Yes, there obviously are: we try to use similar procedures, contracts, and regulations with our exhibitors and attendees all over the world. We also look what works well at our trade shows and what doesn’t and try to adapt ourselves. One example is the Opening Ceremony, which was introduced last year at Asian Attractions Expo, and which we also launched very successfully at EAS in Berlin last year and will do again this year at EAS. Another example is the Institute of Attractions Manager which is a great educational programme that IAAPA promotes worldwide.
The second part of our interview with Karen Staley will be published next week. Sign up to our newsletter to be informed about our future updates.
-- Editor's note --
As one of the partnering publication of the Euro Attractions Show 2013, 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.
On Tuesday September 17, the day before the trade show, NewsParcs will hold a live-tweeting session during the set up of the show floor. We will have a look behind the scenes of EAS 13 last preparations, while collecting the feelings of the exhibitors just before the event kicks off. Follow @NewsParcs on Twitter with the hashtag #EAS13.
These past three years have been intense for NewsParcs. Our magazine, which has been dedicated to the global theme parks industry since 1998, underwent major changes to become one of the most appreciated magazines among many...
CORPORATE | NewsParcs - Published on January 28, 2014
Our Theme Park Supplier's News of the Week is a round-up of the latest news relative to companies supplying the theme park industry around the world. This weekly report covers topics such as corporate announcements, financial ...
The NewsParcs' Theme Park Supplier's News of the Week is a round-up of the latest news relative to companies supplying the theme park industry around the world. This weekly report covers topics such as corporate announcements, ...
Our Industry Roundup is a summary of the latest major news related to the theme park industry worldwide. We report news specifically on operators, owners, trade associations and related organizations, including trends, attendance...
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: EAS showed top attendance levels and record exhibition space in recent years. How do you explain the success of the trade show? 
Karen Staley: So far, rotating from country to country has been challenging. In each new city we needed to learn about each new location: each country has different rules & regulations and so does each trade show facility. What is allowed, what isn’t? Which electrical plugs are used, who needs to be informed, which hotels are the best etc…? All those operational questions are still new to us when we come to a city like Paris, where we have never been before. 
NewsParcs: Are there synergies between organizers of the various IAAPA trade shows around the world? 
