Overall attendance for the event was around 12,800, but LIW is still several shows within show and its claim to be “Europe’s leading fitness, health and beauty event” illustrates that it’s not just parks and attractions professionals that patronise halls 15, 16 and 17 of the NEC each September – far from it.

Thankfully Family Land, with around 90 exhibitors this time., does cater to readers of this publication. In 2006 it appeared to continue on the steady upward path observed last year and maybe at some in the future we can look forward to a return of the show’s glory days, if there ever were any.

“Overall I was very impressed with the show this year and feel that LIW has really turned the corner,” reported John Davies of OmniTicket Network, and vice-chair of the ALES-UK suppliers’ collective, which had 10 members at the show. “There were more and better quality visitors than last year and we expect to achieve more sales. It was really good value.”

A new addition at LIW this year was the National Licensed Business Show, which, like the food and drink section of the event, may also have had some crossover appeal to attractions owners and operators, who this year also had some great networking opportunities.

BALPPA is back

After several years endorsing the various attractions-related spin offs at ATEI in London, BALPPA, the British Association of Amusement Parks, Piers and Attractions, was persuaded to pledge its support to LIW, and with it got its own lounge, a welcome meeting place in the middle of the Family Land area.

Following a failed attempt last year, an ‘Attractions Industry Party’ was held successfully on the second night of the show and approximately 270 guests made their way to Drayton Manor theme park to enjoy drinks, rides and dinner – in that order (see our photo special on page 24).

And for a second year, the Attractions Industry Forum series of seminars, this time held away from the hustle and bustle of the show floor, complemented the Leaders in Leisure programme of keynote presentations on it.

'Live’ exhibits included a working 4D cinema courtesy of Simworx, Robots R Us’ new Robosoccer game and a Rope A Phobia aerial assault course displayed on the impressive stand of Innovative Leisure.

“We achieved all of our objectives of raising the company and product profile which generated a number of very good quality leads,” reported Simworx managing director, Terry Monkton.

“LIW wanted a working centrepiece attraction,” added Innovative Leisure’s Phil Pickersgill. “It’s taken us nine months to plan this [Rope A Phobia] and get it right for opening in the UK, but LIW is a good show for us.We had a tremendous response, from representatives of all kinds of operation, including amusement parks, mobile operators and event organisers.”

Cheese to please

At least one exhibitor that was tempted back by BALPPA’s presence was Moser Entertainment. “We came this year because BALPPA were back,” confirmed Stefano Moser of Moser Entertainment, who last attended LIW some years ago with Moser Rides. Located directly opposite the BALPPA lounge, Stefano nevertheless noted that, “some of them stay only over there. Maybe next year we will put out some cheese or something to attract them to our booth!”

Other major ride manufacturers in amongst what was largely the usual selection of play equipment, inflatable and other smaller attractions, included Zamperla and the all new Huss Park Attractions. At the show for the first time in three years was bungee trampoline specialist Maxi Fun. “Business here is the same,” commented Did Wegner, “but it is important for me to have my own booth.”

Less impressed was Roger Houben, making his LIW debut with 3DBA. “I am not sure we are seeing the decision makers here,” he told Park World.

Several major ride suppliers were also seen walking the show floor. “Even at the dinner though, a lot of the people that come for BALPPA are other suppliers I think, which is not the point!” remarked one ride manufacturer’s representative as he roamed the show.

LIW 2007 takes place from September 25 to 27.

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