Leisure Industry Week (LIW) takes place this September – just one week ahead of Euro Attractions Show in Munich – and organisers are promising a number of new features to interest operators of parks and attractions from across the UK.
Suppliers of “hard rides” and traditional park equipment have been few and far between at LIW in recent years, but three new display areas, focusing on coin-operated games and machines, go-karts and outdoor play products, have been included for 2008.
Repeated as part of the event for a third year will be the free Attractions Industry Forum programme, where Disneyland Resort Paris’ vice-president of marketing Federico Gonzalez will present a keynote address on the second day (Wednesday). See the panel opposite for more highlights.
Readers should note there will be no LIW Party this year at Drayton Manor. BALPPA, however, is still backing the event, which should also prove attractive to operators of a number of smaller attractions such as farm parks and play centres.
LIW 2008, incorporating Sports Development Week and co-located with the National Licensed Business Show, will be held at the NEC in Birmingham from Tuesday to Thursday, September 23 to 25. Free entry is available by pre-registering at www.liw.co.uk
Attractions Industry Forum
Visitors to LIW will be able to enjoy three days of free seminars at the Attractions Industry Forum. Here’s the schedule, correct at the time of going to press:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
10.45-11.45: Retail Therapy. Lorraine Moor of English Heritage, Chris Belcher of Green Room Retail and Mark Ellis from Twycross Zoo will explain how visitor attractions can maximise merchandising.
1200-1300: Experience is King! Marilyn Scott of the Lightbox Museum, Tony Sefton from Vision XS and Duncan Phillips, DP Associates (ex-Gulliver’s), will discuss providing the best experience possible for your target market.
1400-1500: Interactive Attractions. Speakers include Kevin Williams, consultant, Terry Monkton of Simworx and Ben Smith from Red Star Studios.
1515-1615: Building Profits out of Season. Stuart Beare from Tulleys Farm, Ed Pawley of Drayton Manor and Crealy’s Angela Wright discuss winter openings.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
1045-1145: Eat, Drink and be …Healthy! A look at how attractions can include healthy options in their f&b offering. Speakers include with David Russell and Fiona McDonald Joyce from The Russell Partnership and Lee Edwards of Merlin Entertainments.
1200-1245: Marketing the Disney Experience to Europeans. This keynote comes from Federico Gonzalez, senior vice-president of marketing for Disneyland Resort Paris.
1400-1500: Mystery Shopping. Speakers: Jonathan Winchester, Shopper Anonymous and Tim Rollings, Fishers Farm Park.
1500-1600: Marketing Magic. Learn the strategies used by Colin Samways of Cadbury World, Nuala Hopkins, Alton Towers, and Chris Webster from Woburn Safari Park.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
1130-1230: Amusement Ride Health and Safety Update. Incorporating the launch of the latest ADIPS publication, Advice on Inspection. Speakers include ADIPS’ Geoff Robson and Richard Barnes and Barry Baker from the Health & Safety Executive.
On Thursday, the National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN) will also stage a series of workshops.
For a full, up-to-date seminar programme, visit the LIW website: ww.liw.co.uk
