It was nice to be in Nice. Once IAAPA announced it was to stage a second Euro Attractions Show (EAS) in Munich later in the year, some wondered if the planned January event on French Riveria would be worth bothering with at all. Happily, reports Owen Ralph, it wasn’t a waste of time.

A return to Orlando boosted attendance and the weak American dollar pushed up sales and foreign visitors at the 89th annual convention and trade show for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). Paul Ruben and Owen Ralph report from the Orange County Convention Center.

According to organisers, the first Technolfolies event held in association with Interschau was a success, attracting approximately 4,000 visitors to the Fiera di Genova exhibition centre in Genoa, Italy, from October 25 To 27 – about 200 more than last year.

There was a sense of new momentum amongst attractions operators visiting last year’s Leisure Industry Week (LIW) show in the UK. But was it still there when the 2007 event took place recently? Park World reports from the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham.

Now in its fourth year, the renamed China Tourism & Attractions Summit took place last month in Shanghai, attracting developers, operators, suppliers and consultants of entertainment venues in this

fast-growing market.

Taking time out at the start of the summer is always difficult for attractions operators, but those that did were rewarded with quality debate and discussion, good company and beautiful surroundings at this year’s TiLE Forum, the first in Italy. Owen Ralph reports from Lake Como.

Attraction operators large and small from the UK and beyond travelled to the Oxford Centre in the English city of the same name for a one-day ”experience conference” on July 3. Park World joined them.

Over 700 delegates and trade exhibitors enjoyed three hard but fun days of education and networking at the AALARA Conference and Trade Exhibition in May. This, the 13th annual event from the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association took place as always at the Conrad Jupiters Hotel & Casino in Queensland.

The major exhibition of its kind for the Middle East, Dubai Entertainment, Amusement & Leisure – DEAL – took place from April 22 to 24. Owen Ralph reports from exhibition halls 1 and 2 of the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Now in its ninth year, the RAAPA Show in Moscow continues as one of Europe's most successful industry trade shows, recording a 7% attendance leap to around 6,500 visitors over the three days (April 12 to 14). Gerry Robinson reports.

The Indian Association of Amusement Parks & Industries – IAAPI – staged its 7th annual Trade Show from back in February at a new venue, the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai.

After last year’s event in Vienna, when visitor numbers plummeted more than 40 per cent, the 2007 Euro Attractions Show in Seville had to be good. It was certainly busy, attracting a record 7,400-plus guests according to preliminary figures released by co-organiser IAAPA. But were they the right visitors? Owen Ralph reports from the Fibes Conference and Exhibition Centre.

If it only rains one day per week, that’s considered a good week for business at an amusement park. It’s also good for a trade show. That’s what the weather was like from November 13 to 18 in Atlanta when the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) held its annual Attractions Expo, its 88th convention and trade show. Paul Ruben and Owen Ralph report from the Georgia World Congress Center.

Water leisure and development professionals gathered for the 26th Annual Symposium and Trade Show of the World Waterpark Association (WWA) from October 18 to 22 at the Coronado Springs Resort in Walt Disney World, Florida. A rich education programme plus access to world-class suppliers and industry experts attracted 1,949 registrants – a whopping 22 per cent rise from last year. Paul Ruben reports.

Last year it was all about making a statement, this year it had to prove its worth as a viable trade show. The second edition of Technofolies, the Italian exhibition supported by many of the region’s ride manufacturers, returned to the Fiera di Genova exhibition centre in Genoa from October 26 to 28. Visitor numbers were up by over eight per cent (3,800 Vs 3,500), but what was the show like inside? Owen Ralph reports.

This year’s Leisure Industry Week (LIW) was, boasted organiser Ithaca Business Media, the biggest for 10 years. Owen Ralph reports from the event at the NEC in Birmingham, England, held from September 26 to 28.