Euro Attractions Show 2011 successful on all counts

By | October 6, 2011

The recent Euro Attractions Show 2011 (EAS), which wrapped up in London on Sept. 29, welcomed more than 7,000 visitors, a record number of exhibitors and over 1,000 participants in the conference program.EAS 2011 London reconfirms its position as the premier trade show for the attractions industry in Europe.

EAS is organized by the European Office of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA Europe). The show rotates between different countries and cities, and this year’s edition took place in London. Mats Wedin, chairman of the IAAPA European Advisory Committee says: “We are extremely pleased with this show and the support of the associations in the U.K. Not only did we have a record number of exhibitors, we noticed that the European industry is as vibrant as ever.”

Several new exhibitors stated that they only expected to generate new contacts, but many said that they also signed contracts and gained business.

Preliminary counts show that just over 7,000 visitors came to the event in the Olympia Exhibition Center. The visitors came from more than a hundred countries and about 30 percent came from the host country. 336 exhibitors (82 are U.K.-based) showed their latest products and services (in more than 99 different categories) on the largest show floor in the event’s history. Among the exhibited products were roller coasters, attractions, ticket and access systems, games and animatronics. One of the most important trends is the combination of 3-D movies with other techniques (making it 4- or even 5-D) as well as the focus on theming and interactivity. Remarkable is also the supply of water-related attractions and equipment.

Parallel to the show ran a wide-ranging educational program. The attendance was excellent: more than 1,000 people attended the seminars on social media, fan communities, Intellectual Property (IP)-branding, safety, human resources and waterparks. The program also featured a panel discussion with some of the most legendary pioneers of the European attractions industry and a Leadership Breakfast where Nick Varney, CEO of Merlin Entertainments Group Ltd, shared his vision on the company and the philosophy of success. This years’ networking events were sold out.