On Monday 26th November BALPPA held its Leisure, FEC and Indoor Play Trade Exhibition and BALPPA Excellence Awards at Drayton Manor Park.
The trade exhibition saw more exhibitors than previous years and the purpose of the event was to assist existing leisure operators or those looking to enter the market, to connect with key suppliers and experts already operating within the industry, as well as providing networking and educational opportunities via a seminar programme.
BALPPA was pleased that so many businesses chose to exhibit at the event and that many reported a successful show during which they were able to showcase their products and services to this constantly evolving sector. The feedback from the many visitors in attendance was also extremely positive and the association hopes that in the weeks and months to come that it has helped to cement some strong relationships between suppliers and operators.
BALPPA would like to thank all those who supported the event by exhibiting and visiting as well as the speakers and the team at Drayton Manor Park.
Following a great day of networking and education, BALPPA’s Excellence Awards took place in the evening. Celebrating excellence within the leisure industry, the awards provided an opportunity for BALPPA Members and non-Members to nominate others or self – nominate their business across seven categories of awards. “In keeping with its bigger and better theme, the 2018 awards had more categories and more winners!”
More than 200 people attended the 2018 FEC Excellence Awards at Drayton Manor and it was a great celebration of all that is special about the Leisure & Play Industry in the UK.
Congratulations to the winners who are listed below:
Food & Beverage Award
Gold: Head Over Heels
Silver: Safari MK
Bronze: Hobbledown
Highly Commended: Mega Fun – Jack In a Box
Attraction of the Year Award (under 12,000 sq ft)
Gold: Head over Heels
Silver: The Bubbles Factory
Bronze: Mega Fun – Jack In a Box
Highly Commended: Oceans of Fun
Attraction of the Year Award (over 12,000 sq ft)
Gold: Safari MK
Silver: Kidspace Romford
Bronze: Riverside Hub
Highly Commended: DJs Play Park
Employee of Excellence Award
Gold: Jen Brennan, Safari MK
Silver: Ceili Hatchett, DJs Play Park
Bronze: Jordan Sharp, Partyman
Highly Commended: Linda Buttress, Oceans of Fun
Supplier of the Year Award
Gold: Craftis
Silver: Teddy Mountain
Silver: Regency Purchasing
Highly Commended: Vimto OOH
Highly Commended: Play Area Hygiene Services
Highly Commended – Play Area Hygiene Services
One to Watch Award
Gold: Otterspool Adventure
Silver: The Jungle
Bronze: Out of Bounds
Highly Commended: The Square
Digital Communication Award
Gold: Colchester Zoo
Silver: Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Bronze: Drayton Manor Park
Highly Commended: Paradise Wildlife Park
Highly Commended: Odds Farm Park
Innovation Award
Gold: Robin Hill, Jungle Heights
Silver: Robin Hill, Electric Woods
Silver: Riverside Hub
Bronze: DJs Play Park
Early Years Health Futures Award
Gold: Little Bugs, Web Adventure Park
Silver: Chilcare Hub, Kidsplap
Inclusivity Award
Sandcastles Waterpark