Euro Attractions Show (EAS) 2016 saw attendance figures reach record levels, as the event attracted more manufacturers, suppliers and visitors than ever before to the Fira Gran Via exhibition centre in Barcelona, Spain, from September 20-22.
This year’s event saw more than 525 exhibiting companies on the trade show floor. Overall attendance almost doubled from the previous year’s event in Sweden, to a total of 12,600 delegates.
Attendees came from throughout Europe, including from Spain, the UK, France, the Netherlands and Germany, while increased attendance was also noted from the Middle East.
There was a strong presence from major leisure attractions in the area, including amusement parks, destination resorts, waterparks, attractions and family entertainment centres, while strong partnerships with local destinations such as PortAventura World raised the profile of EAS among local industry professionals.
The proximity to the Costa Daurada tourism and leisure market also enabled the show to attract companies active in the broader tourism industry, including resorts, shopping centres, cruise ships, museum operators and more.
“Hosting the event in the heart of Catalunya and Barcelona underlined the importance of leisure destinations and attractions in the Spanish tourism industry”, said Karen Staley, senior vice president of IAAPA Europe, Middle East and Africa.
“Catalunya tourism professionals attended the event in big numbers and there was a strong presence of local companies on the exhibition floor.”
The show floor covered more than 13,000sq.m, with companies exhibiting the familiar plethora of products and services to create an impressive shop window for the industry to savour.
“Euro Attractions Show 2016 is record-setting,” said John McReynolds, 2016 IAAPA chair and senior vice president of external affairs for Universal Parks and Resorts.
“Kudos to the industry and the staff for producing this amazing event, and thanks to the entire region for adopting us for a week. Our industry is constantly evolving and if you miss the show you miss some the most current innovations in the marketplace.”
In addition to the exhibition, of course, an extensive education programme was also on offer with more than 30 hours of seminars available to visitors. Topics discussed included dining experiences, increasing revenues, safety, show and event production, creative park development, emerging market introduction on the Middle East, attractions management, customer satisfaction, marketing and leadership.
Networking events, including an opening reception at Tibidabo amusement park overlooking Barcelona city, educational tours, lunch and learn sessions, a waterpark forum and post-show tours added further to the opportunities available at an event which has now become firmly established in the European industry’s calendar.
Next year’s EAS conference and trade show will take place in Berlin from September 24-28.
A full report on this year’s show will appear in the November/December issue of InterPark. Click here to view our 2016 show gallery.
