Dear IAAPA members,

It was a pleasure for Kristina and me to participate in the annual IAAPA trade show this past November. The program, which unfolded with admirable precision, was most impressive, and we were honored to have had the opportunity to share the experience with and meet so many of you. As a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, I was also pleased to witness firsthand the commitment of IAAPA members to support not only families and children who are fortunate enough to visit IAAPA member facilities worldwide, but those who are less so, through your various charitable and marketing efforts.

The IAAPA/UNICEF partnership under the banner “Your Change for a Real Change” has provided an opportunity for our organizations to create a better world for children. UNICEF and IAAPA indeed can work together to make a difference.

Signed,

Roger Moore

IAAPA Wins American Graphic Design Award

The 2001 annual convention and trade show marketing campaign “Last Chance Postcard” was awarded a 2002 American Graphic Design Award for excellence in direct mail communications. The award is sponsored by Graphic Design:usa, a monthly business-to-business magazine for designers, creative, and production professionals. The postcard was designed by Kircher, Inc., a full-service marketing communications firm based in Washington, D.C.


Europarks Now Online

The 2002 American Graphic Design Awards competition was judged by a nationwide panel of nine people. Now in its twenty-fifth year, this competition has emerged as one of the most prestigious of all graphic communication contests. This year there were roughly 10,000 entries with less than 10 percent named winners.

When Europarks wrote its business plan for the 1998 through 2002 timeframe, one of the primary goals was to facilitate the flow of information among member associations and professionals from the leisure park industry. This was one of the main reasons for Europarks to fund and develop its own web site. Just this past November, the site went live at www.europarks.org.

The site’s intention is to provide more than just information to the member associations, and to improve the sharing of information and increase the involvement of individual members of the national associations. One example of the site’s usefulness is its calendar section, which allows visitors to view upcoming events. For example, on Wednesday, March 26, the fifty-first Europarks council meeting will be held in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting is with members of the European Parliament.


Marketing & Sponsorship Tips to Exhibitors

IAAPA offers opportunities in advertising, sponsorships, web site, specialty programs, pavilions, and press, to help exhibitors meet sales goals. Don’t eliminate marketing budgets but reexamine them and continually evaluate them to ensure you meet your goals. Marketing should be a thoughtful mix of many different kinds of media. Consider print advertising, mailings, and promotions when you prepare your budget. The printed word is usually the most cost-effective way to pass along your message to potential clients. Concentrate on building excitement and a unified message about your company before the trade show. Print advertising in Funworld and the Directory & Buyer’s Guide will increase awareness about your company.

Another tip is networking. Take advantage of inexpensive or even free opportunities to help create a buzz about your company. Develop relationships prior to the trade show. Relationships are built over time, so exhibitors should consider attending other industry events like the IAAPA Summer Meeting. Over time, you will likely benefit from your efforts and probably have fun doing it.

Sponsorships and Media
IAAPA’s sponsorship program offers several straightforward opportunities by providing targeted and captive audiences. Be creative when considering a sponsorship and make it fit your budget and goals. Contact IAAPA directly to discuss the many different partnerships that are available.
Press releases provide important information to the media. Take advantage of the media’s desire to publish the latest news about our industry. Regularly provide press releases on new products to Funworld and IAAPA’s communications department. Be sure to include a color photo and/or electronic versions that can be reproduced.

Make sure your releases reach their destination in time for deadlines. Your releases may coincide with advertisements in Funworld and other events surrounding the trade show. Avoid using slang or jargon that may not convey your message appropriately. Bring your press packets to the trade show press room, which is one place the media goes looking for a story.

Online Presence
With the Internet comes a real-time tool that has the potential to reach thousands of people. All exhibitors receive a free, basic listing on our trade show web site, www.iaapaorlando.com. Consider upgrading your listing and make sure your product information is current.

IBP Program
IAAPA has participated in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program three of the past four years. Use this free publicity to take advantage of the resources that the U.S. government provides. At last year’s show, IAAPA worked with local divisions of the British, French, and Japanese consulates as well as divisions of the Korean and Italian governments. Find out if your government offers assistance programs for you to exhibit or to join in your country’s pavilion at a discounted rate.

Exhibitor Grouping
The American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) creates pavilions at many trade shows each year. Company, industry, or country groupings can promote prestige and provide a market niche for attendees. Building a partnership with associations such as the AAMA can provide publicity through their newsletters, bulletins, press releases, and their presence at other trade shows.

De Club Van Elf Names New Executive Committee for 2003

The Dutch Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (de Club van Elf) has elected a new executive committee.

In November 2002 de Club van Elf elected Marc Taminiau, CEO of Land van Ooit in Drunen, as its new chairman. Taminiau succeeds Antoon van Hooff, CEO of Burgers’ Zoo in Arnhem, who held this position for more than 10 years.

Roderick van Zuylen van Nijevelt, CEO of Duinrell in Wassenaar, accepted the position of vice chairman which had previously been held by Marc Taminiau until November 2002.
The treasurer for de Club van Elf is Kees Klesman from Madame Tussaud’s in Amsterdam.
De Club van Elf, founded in 1973, promotes day tourism overall and focuses its action on furthering the interests of its members, which is made up of the leading leisure parks in the Netherlands:

• Land van Ooit, Drunen
• Duinrell, Wassenaar
• Madame Tussaud’s, Amsterdam
• Efteling, Kaatsheuvel
• Burgers’ Zoo, Arnhem
• Madurodam, The Hague
• Dolfinarium, Harderwijk
• Avonturenpark Hellendoorn
• Attractiepark Slagharen
• Noorder Dierenpark, Emmen
• Keukenhof, Lisse

During its 30 years in existence, de Club van Elf has established close relationships with other prominent tourism organizations like Recron, Platform Toerisme, Koninklijke Horeca Nederland, Europarks (Federation of Leisure Parks in Europe), and IAAPA, which has helped the association evolve over the years.

Commission Studies on Tourism Available

In 2000, the European Commission launched three studies dealing with the following three issues to support communication:

• Using natural and cultural heritage for the development of sustainable tourism in non-traditional tourist destinations.
• Structure, performance, and competitiveness of European tourism and its enterprises.
• Early warning system for identifying declining tourist destinations and preventive
  best practices.

The three studies are complete and available in five printed languages. The results were available late in 2002 and are now available online at www.europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/services/tourism/index_en.htm.

Land Van Ooit Receives the ToerNed Award for Best Attraction in the Netherlands in 2002

In January the Dutch Association of Attractions (ToerNed) presented the ToerNed Attraction Award for the second time at the Holiday Fair in Utrecht, the Netherlands, to Land van Ooit. The award is meant to distinguish an organization that, according to the views of the jury, can be regarded as the best attraction in the Netherlands.

Nominees for the 2002 award were:

• Archeon, Alphen a/d Rijn
• Madurodam, The Hague
• Toverland, Sevenum
• Land van Ooit, Drunen

All nominees are regarded as original and inviting attractions with innovative aspects, good promotion, attention to their guests, and overall quality. According to the jury, Land van Ooit excels as an eye-catching attraction and a trendsetter. With immense creativity, they provide a very special experience for children, which can be enjoyed by grown-ups as well. “The Land van Ooit staff play their roles perfectly, all the way from the magnificent theming to even the telephone operators,” says a spokesperson at ToerNed.

Compagnie Des Alpes Makes Bid on Grévin Shares

On December 9, 2002, Compagnie des Alpes filed an issuer bid with the CMF (Conseil des Marchés Financiers) and the COB (Commission des Opérations de Bourse) to buy all of the outstanding Grévin & Cie shares not yet in its possession. After the buyback the shares will be delisted. This offer is being made jointly by CDC IXIS Capital Markets and La Compagnie Financière Edmond de Rothschild Banque.

Grévin & Cie is France’s largest and one of Europe’s premier operators of family amusement facilities. It runs a network of fun parks and tourist attractions that hosted 3.5 million visitors in 2001, and 5 million visitors in 2002.