Funworld September 2010

IAAPA EUROPE

Management Crash Course

EAS 2010 offers nuts-and-bolts training for the industry’s future leaders

IAAPA will offer its signature management development program, the IAAPA Institute for Attractions Managers, in conjunction with Euro Attractions Show (EAS) in Rome in October.

The two-and-a-half-day program offers attendees a crash course in attractions management, providing a solid grounding in attraction operations functions and the key drivers and success metrics that managers need to know.

The course is designed for industry professionals with at least three years’ experience who have the potential and commitment to be on a senior management team: department heads, directors, and managers. It is also an excellent program for managers entering the attractions industry laterally from other businesses.

Mike Brown, commercial director for Pleasure Beach at Blackpool, who has steered the course from its inception in 2007, says: “It is a great tool for managers in mid-career, to learn about the industry in the widest perspective, see how and why the industry works as it does, as well as build a network of industry colleagues to help sustain your career growth in the future. And of course all of that is being done in a fantastic location: Rome!”

The course has been substantially revamped this year with more emphasis on class interaction, group work, and real-life experiences. “We’ve listened closely to what past participants have told us and have recrafted the course to take account of that,” says Brown. “There is a wealth of talent and experience in the classroom— both presenters and students—and we aim to leverage all of that to everyone’s benefit.” The course covers five core subjects: marketing, finance, revenue operations, human resources, and safety.

The course begins on Sunday, Oct. 3, and continues through Oct. 5; it takes place in the center of Rome at the headquarters of ANESV, the Italian Parks Association. Attendees are also registered for EAS 2010, which begins Oct. 6, at the Feira Roma.

Further details on the course, including content information, course faculty, directions, and registration information can be found at www.IAAPA.org/eas.

Course Fee: IAAPA members €474 (US$612), including VAT; nonmembers €674 (US$870), including VAT.

European Standards

Technical experts meet to discuss the revision of EN 13814

In December 2004, the first European standard on amusement park safety, EN 13814 fairground and amusement park machinery and structures safety, was published. The standard was drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 152 with representatives from the amusement ride industry, government entities, and consumers.

EN 13814 specifies the minimum requirements necessary to ensure the safe design, calculation, manufacture, installation, maintenance, operation, examination, and testing of both temporary and permanent amusement devices. The standard is the reference document for the safety legislation in most European countries.

The EN 13814 is up for revision, and a group of technical experts have formed a committee and are preparing this update. This committee met for the third time June 17-18 in Italy. The committee’s work is divided into six working groups, each concentrating on a specific area and chaired by the following:

• Structure and mechanism: Peter Leutenstorfer, TUV Sud—Germany

• Platform, stairs, and ramps: Edwin Velsink, VWA—the Netherlands

• Guest behavior and risk assessment: Alex Nicholls, LTCI—United Kingdom

• Use and maintenance: Duilio Spolador, Alfaparks—Italy

• Acceleration and passenger restraints: Har Kupers, Vekoma—the Netherlands

• Control systems and electrical: Philipp Geering, Geering Engineering— Switzerland

The committee expects to finalize the preparation of the EN 13814 update by June 2011. EN 13814 is one of a series of safety standards worldwide, all developed to create the safest rides possible for both guests and ride operators. IAAPA’s goal is to facilitate the harmonization of the national and regional standards, securing the highest possible safety standard worldwide. A proposed new ISO standard— ISO/TS/P 210 Safety of Attractions— was also extensively discussed in the meeting in Italy.

BALPPA Summer Meeting

Every year, BALPPA—the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers & Attractions—gathers many of its 300 members for a summer meeting, which this year took place in Italy. BALPPA represents the interests of the private sector visitor attractions industry in the United Kingdom, a role it has played since its formation in 1936.

In Italy, the group of 100 participants held its member meeting and visited several amusement parks, including Gardaland (see this issue’s cover story), and Italian manufacturers to have a closer look at their factories and recent products. This summer meeting was the last one for BALPPA Chief Executive Colin Dawson, who retires after serving 10 years in this role for the association. He hands over the chief executive mantle to Martin Barratt. Dawson was recently awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to tourism.

IAAPA EUROPE

Progress Report

With IAAPA’s office in Europe, members receive the benefits of local, customized service, as well as being part of the only global association for the attractions industry. Over the past three years, much progress has been made in developing programs, products, and communication outlets specifically for European members. Below are the highlights of what IAAPA Europe provides on the behalf of members throughout the continent.

Information
Every other month European members receive the electronic IAAPA Europe Newsletter, which tracks the latest regulatory developments in Brussels.

All information is also accessible on www.IAAPA.org/europe, which is available in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

From the website, members also have the opportunity to download several reports on the European attractions and tourism industries for free.

In 2010, IAAPA Europe sent out the first “What’s New” press release to the European consumer press, promoting new investments in member attractions. The press release was distributed in 12 countries and translated into 10 languages.

Safety
IAAPA Europe is one of the driving forces behind the update of the European Amusement Ride Safety Standard EN 13814.

Every year, IAAPA Europe requires members to provide ride-related injury data for the European Amusement Ride Safety System.

IAAPA Europe organizes safety training at the European Safety Forum at the Euro Attractions Show (EAS).

In 2009 the office launched the IAAPA Europe Insurance Program. Members are offered risk management services and insurance products through this initiative.

Lobbying
IAAPA Europe monitors European Union (EU) rule making and lobbies EU Institutions on issues important to the attractions industry such as safety legislation, VAT and taxes, consumer rights, and tourism policies.

IAAPA Europe is the only association representing the attractions industry in Brussels and is part of NET—the primary network of European tourism associations.

Education
IAAPA Europe presents an extensive conference program at the Euro Attractions Show featuring experts and industry leaders.

Industry Data
IAAPA Europe continues to collect and distribute data on the European attractions industry. In 2009, the first European Economic Impact Study was published, mapping the amusement and theme parks in Europe.

Euro Attractions Show
Euro Attractions Show has grown into the primary exhibition and conference for the attractions industry in Europe with 8,000 professionals from more than 70 countries, 270 exhibitors, and more than 8,500 square meters of exhibit space.

Thank you to our global exhibitors!

These exhibitors participated in Asian Attractions Expo 2010 and are contracted for Euro Attractions Show 2010, and IAAPA Attractions Expo 2010. This list was current as of July 16, 2010.

3-D Branded Attractions
ABC RIDES SWITZERLAND
Aerophile SA
Alterface S.A.
American Ramp Company
Antonio Zamperla SPA
Arihant Industrial Corp. Ltd.
Bob’s Space Racers, Inc.
BRC Imagination Arts
Cogan S.R.L.
Dotto S.r.l.
eibe Produktion + Vertrieb GmbH & Co.
Empex Watertoys
Fabbri Group
Forrec Ltd.
Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc.
Gosetto S.r.l.
HAFEMA Water Rides GmbH
Heege Freizeittechnik
Hopkins Rides
HUSS Park Attractions GmbH
IAAPA Central
I.E. Park S.r.l./Amusement Rides & SOLI Bumper Cars
Intamin Transportation Ltd./Ride Trade Intl.
Jack Rouse Associates
KCC Entertainment Design
Lagotronics BV
LifeFormations
Lo-Q plc
Mack Rides GmbH & Co. KG
Martin & Vleminckx Rides LLC MAURER Soehne GmbH & Co. KG
Mondial World of Rides
Moser’s Rides S.r.l.
MP GROUP srl
nWave Pictures S.A.
OmniTicket Network
Pax Company Ltd.
Polin
Premier Rides, Inc.
Premierworld Technology Limited
Preston & Barbieri S.r.l.
Prime Play by Whitewater
ProSlide Technology, Inc.
S&S Worldwide, Inc.
Sally Corporation
Severn-Lamb UK Ltd.
SimEx- Iwerks
Technical Park S.R.L.
Theme Builders Philippines, Inc.
Theming and Animatronics Industries S.A.
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.
Whitewater West Industries Ltd.
Zierer Karussell- und Spezialmaschinenbau GmbH

Do Some Good at IAAPA Attractions Expo

Several events during IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando benefit GKTW
Hit the fairways, run a 5K, or donate supplies and time to benefit Give Kids The World (GKTW). This year IAAPA is making it easier than ever to support GKTW Village, a resort that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, during IAAPA Attractions Expo 2010. Registration and sponsorship opportunities are available for the following events. For details, visit www.IAAPA.org/expos/attractions/gktwevents.asp.

The Eighth Annual IAAPA International Charity Golf Tournament
Hawk’s Landing Golf Club, Orlando World Center Marriott Resort
Sunday, Nov. 14, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register today at www.IAAPA.org/expos/attractions/charityevents.asp. Unable to play but you are interested in supporting the event? Sponsorship opportunities are still available; contact Slavic Stratan at vstratan@IAAPA.org for details.

First Annual Angels in Action
Give Kids The World Village
Sunday, Nov. 14, 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
Become an Angel in Action—register to help perform a variety of tasks at Give Kids The World Village. Be it painting, sweeping, or planting, there are a variety of ways you can lend a helping hand to keep the Village in pristine condition. Contact Jan McCool at jmccool@IAAPA.org for details.

IAAPA 5K Fun Run & 1K Walk
Give Kids The World Village
Thursday, Nov. 18, 7 a.m.-9 a.m.
For the first time in four years the event will take place at the Give Kids The World Village. Runners and walkers will see the Village firsthand as the course winds through the 70-acre resort. Additional information is available by contacting Diane Williams at dwilliams@IAAPA.org.

IAAPA Board Visits Splish Splash

IAAPA Chairman Chip Cleary hosted the IAAPA Board of Directors at Splish Splash waterpark in Calverton, New York, in conjunction with the June IAAPA Board of Directors meeting.