THE PROGRAM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Networking Reception

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Keynote Address: Building Safety Systems and Procedures
One of the major problems that can impact a developing leisure destination is safety issues. Safety can shut down whole facilities, which will be significant in the growth and professionalism of the industry in the Middle East.
Speaker: Darrell Metzger, CEO, Ruwaad Destinations

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Scope of ASTM Standards and IAAPA Standards Harmonization Efforts
Mr. Davis will explain IAAPA’s efforts to harmonize safety standards throughout the world. He will also provide information on the standards of the ASTM International F-24 Committee on Amusement Rides and Devices. These standards, which are under constant review, contain the work of highly-skilled professionals from around the world.
Speaker: Randy Davis, VP, Government Relations and Safety Services, IAAPA.

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The Present State of the International Supplier/User/Regulator Environment
Mr. Blum will provide a discussion of the relationships between the operators of amusement rides and devices, the guests who visit their facilities, and the regulators who establish legal requirements for their operations. He will provide examples of how this environment functions. His remarks will also include examples of various regulatory structures and a recommended approach to developing regulations where they do not already exist.
Speaker: Steve Blum, Sr. VP, Safety and Engineering, Universal Creative, Universal Parks and Resorts

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Networking Lunch and Roundtable Discussions
Share your own experiences and challenges.

NEW! We have now added a roundtable session on Safety in Operations for Waterparks, moderated by Mr. Peter Doyle, Senior Vice President Marine & Waterpark, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai.

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Safety in Ride Design, Standards, and Testing
This presentation will offer a foundation on the technical aspects and standards of ride design. Topics will include implementing design standards and testing for safety. Mr. Seay will also discuss the details of ride specifications as they relate to standards and testing.
Speaker: Jim Seay, President, Premier Rides

(Program subject to change.)

COST

The conference is open to operators, developers, suppliers, and government officials interested in promoting safety in the amusement and attractions industry in the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa.
The $99 USD participation cost includes conference materials and handouts, as well as food and beverage at the opening reception, breakfast, luncheon, and breaks.To register, please print out the registration form and fax it or mail it to IAAPA.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR THIS EVENT! Please contact Pete Barto for more information.

THE SPEAKERS
DARRELL METZGER is CEO of Ruwaad Destinations, responsible for developing the first Paramount

Pictures-branded theme parks and resorts in the UAE and elsewhere in the Middle East, South Africa, Malaysia and India. Mr. Metzger has more than two decades of experience in the attractions industry with leadership positions in Tokyo Disneyland, Ocean Park in Hong Kong and, most recently, as CEO of Sentosa Leisure Group, where he grew visitor numbers from 3.9 million in 2001 to 5.6 million in 2006. Mr. Metzger is IAAPA’s First Vice Chairman.

STEVE BLUM is the Senior Vice President of Safety and Engineering for Universal Creative, Universal Parks and Resorts. He leads all show and ride technical activities in attractions safety, systems design, testing, manufacturing, operations, and guest communications at Universal Parks and Resorts.

JIM SEAY has been president of Premier Rides, Inc. since 1996. He joined the leisure and attractions industry in 1988 as an engineering and maintenance executive with Six Flags Theme Parks. Mr. Seay’s Premier Rides team helped to create and introduce Linear Induction Motor powered roller coasters, the Liquid Coaster, the Water Coaster and the world’s only looping wooden coaster. He serves as Chairman of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) F-24 Committee and is a member of the IAAPA Executive Committee.

RANDY DAVIS has served as Vice President of Government Relations and Services for IAAPA since 1995. Before joining IAAPA, he was General Counsel to the Office of Justice Programs in the United States Department of Justice. Earlier still, he was Deputy Chief Counsel to the Republic National Committee and Counsel to the Convention Manager of the 1988 Republican National Committee. He began his career in Washington by serving on the staffs of several Members of Congress. Davis holds a J.D. from Vilanova University School of Law and an A.B. from Dartmouth College.

THE LOCATION

One of the fastest-developing cities in the world and, without doubt, the attractions hub of the Middle East, this welcoming and hospitable city, with its superb infrastructure, is the perfect site to host the conference.

Its state-of-the-art airport receives hundreds of daily flights from the main cities in the Middle East, North Africa, India, South Asia, and beyond. And, plan to extend your visit for first-class shopping, sunbathing, fine dining, and more!

The conference will take place at the LE MERIDIEN DUBAI HOTEL, situated minutes from the city’s renowned shopping and commercial districts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/dubai

Le Meridien Dubai Hotel

Airport Road, Dubai, UAE

Tel. +971/4217-0000

Hotel accommodations are not included in the conference price. Housing is the responsibility of conference delegates.