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- Bangkok Bounce-Back
- How Themed Attractions and Destination Resorts are remaking the Malaysian attractions industry.
- A look at what Asian parks are doing to leverage social media.
- New attractions don’t stay new forever—which is why adaptable infrastructure is looking like the way of the present and future.
- Surf and Turf: Water and FEC attractions can mix successfully.
INDUSTRY FOCUS
- BALPPA leaders reflect on the association’s 75 years serving the UK industry.
- How attractions can and should benefit from local tourism boards.
- How Montreal’s Snow Village—the ultimate snow fort— earns cold, hard cash.
- The gas vs. electric go-kart conversation revs up.
DEPARTMENTS
THE MIDWAY
Funworld JULY 2007
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Markey Announces Safety Bill
On May 15, Congressman Edward Markey (D-Mass.) introduced the National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act of 2007. The bill, H.R. 2320, is identical to the bill he has introduced in the past. The legislation places fixed-site amusement rides under the jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Currently, fixed-site amusement rides are regulated at the state level. The bill also appropriates $500,000 to the CPSC to carry out this expanded regulation. Markey introduced the bill during an Energy and Commerce Committee, Consumer Protection Sub-Committee hearing regarding children’s products safety. No other member of Congress addressed the issue.
In addition to Markey, there were seven original cosponsors of the bill, all of whom have been on the bill in the past, which suggests there is not a lot of new support for this legislation. At press time, a Senate companion bill had not been introduced.
As in the past, IAAPA strongly opposes this measure, as state regulations and safety standards already create a safe environment for riders. Additionally, IAAPA believes the CPSC is currently so overburdened and underfunded that taking on additional jurisdiction would be detrimental to its other objectives.
For more information on this legislation, please contact Stephanie Thienel at sthienel@iaapa.org, or visit www.iaapa.org/government.
McCool Joins IAAPA
Jan McCool came to IAAPA after 19 years of service for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development in Alexandria, Virginia. She spent the past six years as annual conference manager and has extensive experience working with conference speakers, editing publications, producing the event program and other related products, and managing the on-site volunteer program. In her new position with IAAPA, McCool will assist the executive staff and serve as the association liaison to the GKTW World Passport for Kids program.
Report from CAAPA: China Attractions Expo
With China’s “Eleventh Five-Year Plan” promising more tourism and more new projects by 2010, this is certainly a great time to be involved in the industry in China. This positive energy was reinforced during this year’s successful China Attractions Expo, held at the Beijing Exhibition Centre March 2-4. This year, the show attracted more than 3,000 attendees from home and abroad. We believe the increase in numbers illustrates the growth of the industry, as attendees saw a comprehensive view of the country’s manufacturing industry.
Wu Ke, general manager of Shenyang Chuangqi Amusement Equipment Co. Ltd., said, “We come to the CAAPA show every year, and we intend to better present our company’s top rides to the attendees. Last year, with the completion of the show, we were reaping colossal gains from the show.”
As China’s industry grows, more foreign companies have looked to Asia and specifically China. Attendees came from numerous countries, including Japan, Korea, Thailand, India, Tasmania, and the United States.
On the trade show floor, the Chinese manufacturing capacity also increased, as more ambitious manufacturers targeted their products in the international market, giving our attendees access to a wider range of products and services than ever before.
Feng Yuguo, CAAPA secretary general, said, “We have 230 manufacturers in China, which generate RMB 3 billion annually (US$380 million) worth of facilities to the domestic market.”
During the show CAAPA Chairman Liu Jingwang addressed several important topics, including the competitive international market and how China should respond. “The overall development in China is behind in the international market in comparison with the developed countries,” Liu remarked. “We should strengthen innovation capability, further improve IP protection enforcement, further contribute to creating more advanced Chinese amusement brands.” He also stressed the importance of protecting independent innovation by connecting industry experts with research institutes and universities to better provide consulting and training in the industry. For more information on China Attractions Expo, contact Cathy Ai at sky3sky@yeah.net. —by Cathy Ai, CAAPA