Amusement Today, September 2024

IAAPA Expo Europe set for biggest trade show ever in Amsterdam

AT: Pam Sherborne

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands — The attractions industry’s premier event in Europe arrives in Amsterdam with the biggest show floor ever. With education events set to run September 23-27 and the trade show, September 24-26, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo Europe attendees will be offered the latest products, education sessions and networking opportunities with visionaries across the leisure and attractions community.

The 2024 event will be held at the RAI Convention Center in the heart of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Known for its vibrant culture and high concentration of theme and amusement parks, IAAPA officials felt this location was an obvious choice to host this year’s exposition. The event will feature names like Efteling, Toverland and Tomorrowland.

The opening ceremony has been planned with performances to feature the Dutch culture with highlights to include traditional music and dance performances that reflect the rich heritage of the Netherlands.

“This year’s IAAPA Expo Europe is an absolute must-visit for everyone involved in the attractions industry,” said Peter van der Schans, executive director and vice president for IAAPA Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). “I’m delighted to see it returning to my home country, the Netherlands, with its rich cultural history in theme parks and vendors. We are excited to showcase the latest innovations, delve into diverse educational programs and foster new connections.”

The trade show will feature more than 650 exhibitors sprawling over the 18,500 square meters (almost 200,000 square feet) of trade show floor within the RAI Convention Center. Attendees will have the chance to engage with some of the world’s most acclaimed manufacturers and suppliers, exploring a wide range of cutting-edge products, services and solutions.

Although the official date of the event is set to begin on September 23, IAAPA is offering two sessions within the Institute Program. Set to run September 21 and 22 is the IAAPA Institute for Attractions Professionals. The IAAPA Safety Institute will run for one day only on September 22.

Monday, September 23, will offer attendees seven different edutours:

•Water Park Day, to take place at the Center Parcs De Eemhof, Zeewolde, about 45 minutes to the east of Amsterdam and created for owners, operators, designers and manufacturers in the water park industry. This is an opportunity for aquatics professionals to unite, share insights and exchange ideas.

•Indoor Entertainment Day will address all functions of running an indoor entertainment center. Attendees begin at Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Amsterdam with breakfast and speakers. Then they will move in rotating groups to such locations as A’dam Lookout and This is Holland, City Center, Sherlocked, Madame Tussauds, Dungeon and ending with a reception at All Out.

•The tour of Efteling located in Kaatsheuvel (about one hour south of Amsterdam), will take attendees to this park nestled in the south of the Netherlands. Attendees will take a look behind the scenes at the park's meticulously designed themed areas, including the mystical Fairy Tale Forest, where classic stories come to life.

•Safety Day at Walibi Holland in Biddinghuizen (about 50 minutes east of Amsterdam) is where attendees will learn the latest developments and best practices in ride safety standards, risk management, ride safety design and safety compliance.

•Sustainability Day also is being held at Efteling. Attendees will get a chance to look at all of the ongoing sustainability practices at the park.

•Science Centers and Edutainment Day will take place at the CORPUS, Space Expo and Naturalis, located in areas south of Amsterdam, and focus on the intersection of education and intertwinement of science and natural history through state-of-the-art edutainment facilities.

•The edutour to Avonturenboerderij Molenwaard and Family Resort Molenwaard, areas about one hour south of Amsterdam, will take attendees to the heart of the Dutch countryside to view family-oriented destinations that blend educational fun with the charm of rural life.

On the afternoon of September 25, several more Edutours are being offered. They are Amsterdam Culture and Art — It’s all about Rembrandt, Amsterdam Food and Beverage and Amsterdam City Experiences.

The Amsterdam culture and art tour will take attendees on a journey through Amsterdam's most iconic cultural attractions designed to inspire and educate professionals in the amusement and attractions industry. It also will allow attendees to discover the world of Rembrandt's etchings and learn how printmaking played a crucial role in democratizing art.

Among the food and beverage tour stops will be the Albert Cuyp Market, where they will discover six family-owned businesses, each steeped in rich history.

The city experiences tour is designed to show attendees the city's beauty. It includes a canal cruise while indulging in Dutch Gouda cheese and bitterballen, accompanied by a local drink.

The edutour on September 26 is the Artis Zoo. This historic Artis Zoo is where tradition meets innovation in the heart of one of the world's oldest zoological gardens.

The Opening Ceremony kicks off the morning of September 24. The trade show opens that morning as well.

There are an abundance of events happening on the floor as well as in the educational forums throughout the entire week of the IAAPA Expo Europe.

Meets and greets are scheduled for the Members Lounge with members working in IAAPA EMEA Safety Subcommittee on hand in addition to others. During the week on the floor will also be a Meet and Eat Job Fair luncheon in the IAAPA Theater. There will be IAAPA Trade Show tours during the week.

There are no extra costs for the above events.

The Young Professionals Forum and Reception is set for the evening of September 25.

Also, on the afternoon of the 25th is the Supervisors and Team Leaders Reception.

For attendees interested in receptions specifically for their segment of the industry, a quick check of the agenda will help in finding that.

New in 2024 is a September 26 afternoon Food and Beverage Reception where attendees may meet fellow industry peers from their sector. There is an extra cost to this reception.

Following this reception and also new in 2024 is a Leisure and Holiday Parks Reception. Meet fellow attraction industry professionals who operate parks with overnight, family-friendly accommodations such as campgrounds, glamping, chalets, tree houses, bungalows and villas. This also is a separate ticketed event.

Educational sessions throughout the week run the gamut, with all facets of the industry being covered and presented by industry professionals. The list of topics for sessions and forums includes:

•Can We Innovate While Honouring Tradition?

•TEA Presents - Designing Experiences Beyond Opening Hours;

•Exploring Safety Regulations Exchange

•The Power of a Strong Employer Brand;

•Understanding and Shaping Park Performance;

•Emerging Trends in Recreation and Holiday Parks for 2024;

•Maximizing Revenue and Engagement: Expanding Water Park Operations to Include Night Events and Year-Round Activities;

•Trends in Immersive Entertainment;

•The Power of Landscaping;

•Food & Beverage Trends;

•Oceana Fire Timeline: Managing Authorities, Stakeholders and Crisis;

•Future-Proofing Attractions: Digital Transformation Exchange;

•Active Entertainment: Profitable Business Models and Benchmarks for Small Businesses;

•Human Capital Exchange;

•IAAPA Research and Investment Analysis: Do the Numbers Justify the Investment?

•Boost Your Career: Linkedin Workshop; and

•Iconic Ride Spotlight: Symbolica at Efteling.

The event ends on September 27 when attendees may choose to attend the Tech Forum: Breda University of Applied Sciences or attend the edutour at Toverland.