Although a large proportion of the show is still given over to ‘other’ leisure outlets (sports clubs, fitness centres etc), this September’s Leisure Industry Week still offers plenty for parks and attractions operators.
Up to 150 exhibitors will target the sector at what LIW organisers are promising will be the biggest show in more than a decade this year. With the lack of any other credible UK attractions show, a number of senior decision-makers are expected to make Birmingham the place to meet.
The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA) will again be providing a members’ lounge on the show floor, and a social event is planned for Wednesday night at Drayton Manor theme park following the success of last year’s shindig.
Supporting the Attractions and Family Entertainment side of the show will be the third Attractions Industry Forum, a free two-day programme of seminars and discussions aimed at operators (see panel right).
LIW 2007 takes place at the NEC in Birmingham, England, from Tuesday to Thursday, September 25 to 27. For more details and to register for free tickets visit www.liw.co.uk
Attractions Industry Forum
Former Park World editor Andrew Mellor will be organising a seminar programme for parks and attractions operators again this year at LIW.
The third Attractions Industry Forum will feature keynote speeches by Tom Wright of Visit Britain, outlining his organisation’s strategies in promoting tourism, and Bourne Leisure’s Richard Bates, who will provide an “operations reality checklist” covering key areas of park operation.
Other highlights include the session “Franchising – friend or foe?” on Tuesday afternoon when speakers including Gary Johnson from Butlins, Mark Golding of Space Leisure; Tony Sefton from Vision XS and Nick Thompso of Pleasure Beach Blackpool will debate benefits and growing importance of branded attractions, characters and licensed products.
On Wednesday lunchtime, meanwhile, the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA),
will offer much food for thought in a session entitled “Brainstorming is Serious Business.” Speakers here will be Nick Farmer, Farmer Attraction Development; Ray Hole, RH Architects; and Adrian Fisher, Adrian Fisher Mazes.
