There’s just weeks to go until the big annual get-together for the European parks and attractions industry, and this time all eyes are on Paris. Here’s Park World’s whistle-stop preview of next month’s Euro Attractions Show (EAS).
Browse the biggest ever show floor!
Organised by IAAPA Europe, the EAS trade show takes place from Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 September at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre (pictured below) in the French capital. With more than a decade of history under its belt, this year’s show promises to be the biggest ever, with more than 330 exhibitors spread across two halls.
As well as all the industry’s leading ride manufacturers, suppliers, theme park designers and more, you can pick up the September copy of Park World from booth 1456 – just across the way from IAAPA Central.
Listen, learn and discuss!
Disneyland Paris president Philippe Gas will be the keynote speaker at the Leadership Breakfast planned on the second day of the show, 19 September. Tickets for this, the IAAPA Institute for Attraction Managers from 15 to 17 September and a special Safety Summit at Disneyland Paris on 17 September require paid, pre-registration, but the main EAS education programme in included with a standard entry badge.
Highlights include three promising sounding sessions on Wednesday (18 September) – Fortune Telling: How to Measure the Impact of New Attractions and Create Buzz to Generate Success (Wednesday); Social Media 2.0: How to Use a Smart Phone Smartly! and CEO Talk with Miikka Seppala (Särkänniemi), Amanda Thompson OBE (Blackpool Pleasure Beach) and Nicolas de Villiers (Puy du Fou).
Thursday will include sessions on Lodging and Resort Development in the Attractions Business; Halloween, Holidays and Special Events; Recipes for Good Storytelling; and Increasing In-Park Spend, as the Young Professionals Forum and half-day Water Park Forum.
Network and go behind-the-scenes!
The EAS Opening Reception is always a great evening, but this year’s fixture on 18 September should be a real treat, taking place amongst the historic carousels and other fairground artefacts at the beautiful Musée des Arts Forains (pictured below). EAS attendees will be able to take advantage of special trips to Disneyland Paris (Tuesday) and Parc Astérix (Friday), as well as post-show tour on Saturday 21 September to the Thea Award-winning Puy du Fou and Futuroscope. More details on the EAS website.
Need more info? Click here. As the last few IAAPA shows have seen certain parties and tours sell out in advance, Park World advises you not to waste time if there is a fixture you really want to attend.
