Preparations for the inaugural Visitor Attraction Expo (VAE) are in full swing, with ExCel London ready to host an entirely new event for those involved in the UK attractions market.
From 13 to 15 January 2015, VAE opens its doors to visitors representing leisure parks, zoos and piers, as well as an incredible variety of static attractions.
VAE is presented by BALPPA in association with EAG International. The free-admission show is open to the entire leisure industry.
What is VAE? EAG International chairman Martin Burlin welcomed VAE, saying: “The Visitor Attraction Expo will give the leisure park, piers, zoos and static attractions sector an annual event which it can call its own, right here in the UK. We’re experiencing increased crossover between the amusements and attractions sectors, so this move is reflecting what’s happening in the market. There’s strong interest from potential exhibitors and EAG’s 5,000-plus visitors will help in delivering a robust start for this exciting new event.”
VAE takes place alongside EAG International, an established gathering for the European amusements and coin-op industries. EAG International is already a firm favourite with many from the attractions industry, who come to view the latest innovations from the amusements sector. Visitors can access both shows with a single badge.
EAG International 2014 attracted 5,460 visitors, with 70 per cent from the UK. Overseas visitors travelled from 63 countries, including Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Greece and Germany.
VAE is initially focusing on the UK market, with a European outreach. As with any new venture, the opportunity exists to get back to basics so that the event can naturally evolve to meet the precise needs of visitors, exhibitors and other stakeholders.
BALPPA chief executive Paul Kelly explains: “The Visitor Attraction Expo will exist to support our members, trade suppliers, operators of visitor attractions and the industry at large. Our role is to assist them in their business ventures and every aspect of the show has been developed with this in mind.”
With its early January dates, VAE will provide the perfect opportunity for discussing the events of the previous year, reviewing the latest products on display, and planning purchasing and investment for the forthcoming season.
What will I see? Visitors to VAE and EAG will be treated to an impressive line-up of products to thrill and entertain, plus the latest technology for optimising and securing revenue. Products from over 180 represented manufacturers include: 6D motion theatre, admission and crowd control systems, air hockey, amusement rides, AV systems, battery-powered cars, carpeting, cash-handling technology, change machines, cotton candy, cranes, dodgem cars, financial services, go-karts, inflatables, kiddie rides, laser games, licensed and generic plush, music programming, photo booths, pool, pushers, redemption and loyalty systems, shooting galleries, simulators, ticketing and couponing solutions, vending, video games and more.
Find the elusive “killer” product with the potential to transform your business.
What can I learn at VAE? VAE will shortly announce an extensive program of seminars and master classes conducted by leading industry professionals. Organised by BALPPA, the sessions will focus on highly topical issues
Who will I see? From the start, VAE has been designed with networking in mind. Expect to see operators, buyers, sellers, key influencers, educators, trade associations, lobbyists, regulators and special interest groups. On the first evening, the networking focus is the First Night Party, with more than 1,000 exhibitors and visitors gathering to enjoy great food, drink and entertainment at ExCel’s Fox Bar.
How do I get to VAE? London’s ExCel is world class, having won many awards for the breadth and high standard of its facilities and ease of access by road, rail, air and even cable car. Visit the VAE website for useful links, maps and advice on getting to ExCel.
How do I get a good hotel deal? ExCel has 2,300 hotel rooms within walking distance, last-minute bookings inevitably come at a high premium so booking early is advisable.
The historical areas of Greenwich or Tower Hill are interesting alternatives for those who wish to stay off-site. Greenwich, with its rich nautical history, is a short river bus trip or cable car ride away, whilst travel from Tower Gateway to ExCel on the DLR takes around 17 minutes.
VAE has teamed up with exhibition accommodation specialists Event Express, who have negotiated the best possible rates for VAE attendees. Event Express can be contacted via the VAE website.
How do I register for VAE? Register for your free ticket to VAE on the VAE website. With early registration, badges will be mailed to you, and you’ll be kept up to date with show, event and exhibitor news. Register now and give your business a great start to 2015!
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2014 issue 4
Editor’s letter: Access for all
We ask whether enough is being done to ensure access for all to
attractions and what practical steps can be taken to improve things
Interview: Tim Smit
The Eden Project was groundbreaking
when it opened in 2001. Now the
attraction’s founder Tim Smit is taking
the concept to a global audience,
and he’s starting with China
Interview: Jonathan Gottschall
Literary scholar and author of The
Storytelling Animal explains why we’re
all addicted to story, and how attractions
can capitalise on our love of narrative
Heritage: Actions Speak Louder
The National Trust’s Ben Cowell
describes how landscaping can build up
to a reveal, and ways the organisation
is using actors to bring history to life
Conference Report: SATE 2014
TEA president Christine Kerr presents
the hot topics from the annual design
conference devoted to Storytelling,
Architecture, Technology, Experience
Story Centres: Tell Me A Story
The popularity of story centres shows
the youngest generation – dubbed
digital natives – are thirsty for
children’s literature and illustration
Technology: Reinventing the Nerd
Meet carnival-inspired Two Bit
Circus, created from its founders’
passion for engineering, video games
and the newest technologies
Promotional feature: BARCO
Barco offers state-of-the-art visualisation technology and
a holistic solution uniquely tailored to suit any attraction
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the first of a new series,
industry-leading manufacturers
tell us about the latest trends and
innovations in thrill coasters
Theme Parks: Kooza Came to Town
PortAventura’s general manager
on the Spanish park’s partnership
with celebrated circus troupe Cirque
du Soleil and its Kooza show
Planetariums: Tom Falvey
A new planetarium, capable of live
streaming to 14,000 schools, opens
as a new addition to the South
Carolina State Museum in the US
Show Preview: IAAPA EXPO
IAAPA returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,
Florida, from 18-21 November, with more than 1,000 exhibitors
and an expected 27,000 attendees
Multimedia: Art Project
State-of-the-art projectors and
world-class artists combine to
create inspiring installations
Preparations for the inaugural Visitor Attraction Expo (VAE) are in full swing, with ExCel London ready to host an entirely new event for those involved in the UK attractions market.
From 13 to 15 January 2015, VAE opens its doors to visitors representing leisure parks, zoos and piers, as well as an incredible variety of static attractions.
VAE is presented by BALPPA in association with EAG International. The free-admission show is open to the entire leisure industry.
What is VAE? EAG International chairman Martin Burlin welcomed VAE, saying: “The Visitor Attraction Expo will give the leisure park, piers, zoos and static attractions sector an annual event which it can call its own, right here in the UK. We’re experiencing increased crossover between the amusements and attractions sectors, so this move is reflecting what’s happening in the market. There’s strong interest from potential exhibitors and EAG’s 5,000-plus visitors will help in delivering a robust start for this exciting new event.”
VAE takes place alongside EAG International, an established gathering for the European amusements and coin-op industries. EAG International is already a firm favourite with many from the attractions industry, who come to view the latest innovations from the amusements sector. Visitors can access both shows with a single badge.
EAG International 2014 attracted 5,460 visitors, with 70 per cent from the UK. Overseas visitors travelled from 63 countries, including Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Greece and Germany.
VAE is initially focusing on the UK market, with a European outreach. As with any new venture, the opportunity exists to get back to basics so that the event can naturally evolve to meet the precise needs of visitors, exhibitors and other stakeholders.
BALPPA chief executive Paul Kelly explains: “The Visitor Attraction Expo will exist to support our members, trade suppliers, operators of visitor attractions and the industry at large. Our role is to assist them in their business ventures and every aspect of the show has been developed with this in mind.”
With its early January dates, VAE will provide the perfect opportunity for discussing the events of the previous year, reviewing the latest products on display, and planning purchasing and investment for the forthcoming season.
What will I see? Visitors to VAE and EAG will be treated to an impressive line-up of products to thrill and entertain, plus the latest technology for optimising and securing revenue. Products from over 180 represented manufacturers include: 6D motion theatre, admission and crowd control systems, air hockey, amusement rides, AV systems, battery-powered cars, carpeting, cash-handling technology, change machines, cotton candy, cranes, dodgem cars, financial services, go-karts, inflatables, kiddie rides, laser games, licensed and generic plush, music programming, photo booths, pool, pushers, redemption and loyalty systems, shooting galleries, simulators, ticketing and couponing solutions, vending, video games and more.
Find the elusive “killer” product with the potential to transform your business.
What can I learn at VAE? VAE will shortly announce an extensive program of seminars and master classes conducted by leading industry professionals. Organised by BALPPA, the sessions will focus on highly topical issues
Who will I see? From the start, VAE has been designed with networking in mind. Expect to see operators, buyers, sellers, key influencers, educators, trade associations, lobbyists, regulators and special interest groups. On the first evening, the networking focus is the First Night Party, with more than 1,000 exhibitors and visitors gathering to enjoy great food, drink and entertainment at ExCel’s Fox Bar.
How do I get to VAE? London’s ExCel is world class, having won many awards for the breadth and high standard of its facilities and ease of access by road, rail, air and even cable car. Visit the VAE website for useful links, maps and advice on getting to ExCel.
How do I get a good hotel deal? ExCel has 2,300 hotel rooms within walking distance, last-minute bookings inevitably come at a high premium so booking early is advisable.
The historical areas of Greenwich or Tower Hill are interesting alternatives for those who wish to stay off-site. Greenwich, with its rich nautical history, is a short river bus trip or cable car ride away, whilst travel from Tower Gateway to ExCel on the DLR takes around 17 minutes.
VAE has teamed up with exhibition accommodation specialists Event Express, who have negotiated the best possible rates for VAE attendees. Event Express can be contacted via the VAE website.
How do I register for VAE? Register for your free ticket to VAE on the VAE website. With early registration, badges will be mailed to you, and you’ll be kept up to date with show, event and exhibitor news. Register now and give your business a great start to 2015!
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2014 issue 4
Editor’s letter: Access for all
We ask whether enough is being done to ensure access for all to
attractions and what practical steps can be taken to improve things
Interview: Tim Smit
The Eden Project was groundbreaking
when it opened in 2001. Now the
attraction’s founder Tim Smit is taking
the concept to a global audience,
and he’s starting with China
Interview: Jonathan Gottschall
Literary scholar and author of The
Storytelling Animal explains why we’re
all addicted to story, and how attractions
can capitalise on our love of narrative
Heritage: Actions Speak Louder
The National Trust’s Ben Cowell
describes how landscaping can build up
to a reveal, and ways the organisation
is using actors to bring history to life
Conference Report: SATE 2014
TEA president Christine Kerr presents
the hot topics from the annual design
conference devoted to Storytelling,
Architecture, Technology, Experience
Story Centres: Tell Me A Story
The popularity of story centres shows
the youngest generation – dubbed
digital natives – are thirsty for
children’s literature and illustration
Technology: Reinventing the Nerd
Meet carnival-inspired Two Bit
Circus, created from its founders’
passion for engineering, video games
and the newest technologies
Promotional feature: BARCO
Barco offers state-of-the-art visualisation technology and
a holistic solution uniquely tailored to suit any attraction
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the first of a new series,
industry-leading manufacturers
tell us about the latest trends and
innovations in thrill coasters
Theme Parks: Kooza Came to Town
PortAventura’s general manager
on the Spanish park’s partnership
with celebrated circus troupe Cirque
du Soleil and its Kooza show
Planetariums: Tom Falvey
A new planetarium, capable of live
streaming to 14,000 schools, opens
as a new addition to the South
Carolina State Museum in the US
Show Preview: IAAPA EXPO
IAAPA returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,
Florida, from 18-21 November, with more than 1,000 exhibitors
and an expected 27,000 attendees
Multimedia: Art Project
State-of-the-art projectors and
world-class artists combine to
create inspiring installations
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
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