Funworld March 2008
Staying Strongby Amanda Charney Another successful EAS inspires exhibitors and attendees
Many exhibitors said traffic, the quality of buyers, and the opportunities for new contacts were outstanding. “This show is going very well. We had a lot of international visitors,” said Romann Rademacher of Germany-based Wibit, which showcased a new inflatable obstacle course designed for water attractions and resorts. “We did some business already, and we have made some very good contacts in the U.S. and overseas.” Michael Turner, director of sales for Gateway Ticketing, based in the United States, was thrilled with the traffic and quality of the contacts they made on the show floor. “We probably have five projects that we’re working on right now based on the contacts from this show,” he said, adding that he made a broad range of connections. “It also wasn’t just the French market; we saw a good contingent from the Middle East, and surprisingly enough we had two contacts from America.”
Exhibitors and IAAPA and EAS leaders believe the positive feeling from Nice bodes well for the second show, in Munich, which takes place Sept. 30-Oct 2.
IAAPA President and CEO Charlie Bray said this show has helped establish EAS as the premier show in Europe. “This week has confirmed what we hoped would develop when we got involved with the Euro show four years ago,” he said. “This is the show for our industry in Europe. Both exhibitors and buyers have had a great week, and the feedback has been extremely positive. “Now this kind of momentum we’ve built over the past couple of years and the momentum that we continued into this show really portend for a great show in Munich.” The education program also enjoyed stellar turnout, with 670 people attending, a 50 percent increase over last year’s program. “We try to improve the quality of the program every year; that is our objective,” said Marcel Schonenberg, EAS education committee member and incoming chair. “We’ve got feedback that it’s better than ever. You can see the message is getting across to people that the workshop program is an essential part of the overall show.” Attendees capped off Wednesday and Thursday of the show with excellent networking and social events. The Welcome Reception, which took place at the adjacent Acropolis building, featured varied entertainment and hosted a total of 1,300 guests. Later that same night 60 members of IAAPA and EAS’ Young Professionals Group gathered at Le Liqwid, a bar in the Old Town section of Nice. The Fairmont Hotel in Monte Carlo played host to the Gala on Thursday night. More than 600 guests enjoyed dinner, an outstanding jazz band, and some mesmerizing Cirque-style entertainment. |
DURING EURO ATTRACTIONS SHOW 2008 IN NICE, FRANCE, facility owners and operators from 75 countries traveled to the majestic French Riviera to learn from the experts during a diverse educational program, make contacts at the various social events, and spend quality time on the show floor, which showcased a number of new products and services.
“Everybody is looking forward now to Munich, and most of the exhibitors took Nice as a warm-up for Munich,” said EAS board member Wieland Schwarzkopf. “You [will be able to] see from the floor plan for Munich how big some of the exhibitors’ booths are. We are really enthusiastically looking forward to Munich.”
EAS and IAAPA leaders were also pleased with the French turnout, particularly from the French amusement association SNELAC. “It [EAS Nice] accomplished its objective,” said 2008 IAAPA Chair of the Board Bob Masterson. “French operators came out in force and were well represented. We certainly appreciate the support of the French parks association, SNELAC, for helping make this happen. People attending enjoyed the fantastic weather and food and hospitality of Nice. The exhibitors expressed that it was a successful show and that the right people attended.”