Funworld August 2009

European Ride Safety Standard to be Revised,

by Gianni Chiari

MORE THAN 20 INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES FROM SEVEN COUNTRIES gathered in Rome in June to discuss safety harmonization and revisions to the EN 13814 standard. IAAPA Europe, the Amusement Industry Council of Europe, and the European Association Amusement Supplier Industry organized the meeting, and attendees included manufacturers, park operators, certifying organizations, and consultants.

The group agreed the EN 13814, the European safety standard, should be revised according to the rules of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Further, the hope is to integrate parts of other international standards, such as ASTM F24, the prevailing safety standard in the United States, into the European standard.

The meeting was part of the ongoing work of the Global Standard Harmonization Group’s strategy to identify the best existing practices with regard to safety standards in the worldwide attractions industry.

All meeting participants made significant efforts to maintain international standards that are as consistent as possible with other standards, such as ASTM. For example, some experts who focus on EN 13814 or ASTM F24 have worked together to this end.

During the meeting, representatives from the Italian and French ministries of interior participated in the discussion, explaining the main points of the new ride safety laws in the two countries. Then representatives from national standardization bodies such as AFNOR France and UNI-Italy described the perspectives and the problems of a future official revision according to the new rules of CEN.

Discussions such as these, and the presence of so many industry leaders, certification groups, IAAPA, and ASTM, among others, made the meeting an important event that will yield further input for the official revision of EN 13814.

Going forward, two new sections on risk assessment and guest behavior will be submitted for inclusion in the EN and ASTM standards. To expedite this work, smaller groups will soon convene on standards for acceleration and control systems.

Safety experts and park staff are encouraged to attend the next meeting on this topic, in conjunction with Euro Attractions Show 2009 in Amsterdam. Agenda items will include acceleration, control systems, risk assessment, and guest behavior.

Thanks to meeting sponsors Bertazzon, Fun Italian Export, Preston & Barbieri, Vekoma, and Zamperla.

EXHIBITOR WEBINAR: The ABCs of Exhibiting

AAPA’S POPULAR WEBINAR SERIES will focus on exhibitors for August. Join IAAPA staff and longtime exhibitors for tips and tricks to get the most out of exhibiting at IAAPA Attractions Expo. Speakers will share tips for exhibiting at any event and specific advice for the Las Vegas Convention Center. Listen to this fast-paced review of the key things you need to know. Question and- answer session to follow. The webinar takes place Aug. 18 at 2 p.m. and is free for all IAAPA member exhibitors, vendors, and suppliers. Preregistration is required. For more information, visit www.iaapa.org/education/elearn/elearning.asp.

IAAPA Brand Equity Results Are In

THE IAAPA STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE recently posed an important question to IAAPA leadership: Is the full name of the association still relevant to the members and the industry? To find the answer, IAAPA enlisted the help of Harris Interactive to conduct an extensive brand equity study to learn more about how IAAPA is perceived throughout the world and if its mission, name, and overall identity are relevant amid the industry’s continuous growth and change. In a months-long process, Harris surveyed 3,520 member companies and 3,362 nonmembers to learn more about their general perceptions of IAAPA; the value of its services; how IAAPA performs on a number of tasks; and the strength of its brand, logo, and name. Four hundred fifty-four (454), or 7 percent of those surveyed, responded from a variety of levels within their organizations and across all constituent groups. Some interviews were conducted over the phone, through an online focus group, or through an online survey.

Here are the key findings from the study:

• IAAPA has a positive reputation and is evaluated favorably in comparison to other industry associations.
  
  – 84% think IAAPA has a positive reputation.
  
  – 79% consider IAAPA to be valuable to them.
  
  – 75%rate IAAPA the same or better compared to other industry associations.

• IAAPA’s conference and trade show is what IAAPA is most well-known for; it’s the go-to event for the industry.

• IAAPAis performing well on delivery of many member benefits:
  
  – Trade show, buyer/seller connections, being a source for industry trends, networking, public relations, advocacy, and defining industry standards are all rated highly important, and IAAPA is performing well.
  
  
• The association’s mission statement supports key initiatives well (commercial success, safe operations, growth, and global development).
  

• Overall brand image, including evaluation of name, is positive with some room for improvement.
  
  – No compelling evidence to support changing the name of the association.

Questions? Contact Susan Mosedale at IAAPA at +1 703/836-4800.

Stellar Education Planned for EAS 2009

COME TO THE EURO ATTRACTIONS SHOW (EAS) 2009 in Amsterdam, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, for the best in learning and products. This year’s event offers excellent education programming, including a three-day Institute for Emerging Leaders before the show begins. Attendees will also have access to the largest display of attractions products in Europe on the EAS show floor.

Here are a few education highlights:

• Institute of Emerging Leaders; Sunday, Sept. 27-Tuesday, Sept. 29
  
  This professional development program will help strengthen the management team at any facility or attraction and will focus on finance, leadership, marketing, and operations. The event begins with a Welcome Reception at the Heineken Experience, followed by a full day of instruction on Monday, also at the Heineken Experience. The program wraps up with a backstage tour of Efteling Park.
  
  
• Wednesday, Sept. 30
  – Consumers 2020. Author Adjiedj Bakas shares his insight into consumer behavior.
  
  – The Attractions Industry in 2020. Join Professor Anton Clavé, planner and designer Gary Goddard, and Bob Rogers of BRC Imagination Arts for a look into the future.
  
  – Social Media, Social Networking: From Here to 2020. Alain Heureux of IAB Europe, a trade association of the European digital and interactive marketing industry, and Tom van Hoof of Tagora Marketing will discuss digitalmedia, socialmedia tools, and interactive marketing.
  

• Thursday, Oct. 1
  – Ride Safety. Safety experts will lead a seminar focusing on the most up-to-date industry information and where the future of safety in parks is headed.

• Friday, Oct 2
  
  – Planet–Going Green. Alex van Hooff from the Burgers Zoo explores how attractions can be more ecofriendly and profitable.
  
  – The Attractions Industry in 2020.MikaelAhlerup of Astrid Lindgrens Värld will discuss how to motivate, recruit, and retain today’s young workforce.
  

ASTMF24 Committee to Meet in Toronto

AS PART OF ITS ONGOING COMMITMENT TO SAFETY in the attractions industry, IAAPA participates in the ASTM International Committee F24 on amusement rides and devices.

Committee F24 is a consensus-based standards-setting body and is open to anyone interested in ride safety. Industry members, manufacturers, common interest groups, and government officials participate in the committee and its many subcommittees that address various aspects of ride safety. The committee is chaired by IAAPA member Jim Seay of Premier Rides.

The committee meets in person semiannually but works year-round via web-based meetings and teleconferences. The next meeting will be held Oct. 15-17 at the Inter Continental Toronto Centre in Toronto, Canada. Meeting registration information, as well as information on how to become a member of the committee, is available at www.astm.org. There is a $75 annual fee for an individual membership that allows members to attend meetings, vote on proposed standards, and either download or order existing standards.

For more information on the ASTM Committee F24, contact safety@iaapa.org.