YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
A record-number of European attractions industry professionals gathered at Euro Attractions Show (EAS) 2016 in Barcelona, Spain, over the past three days (20-22 September) to discover the latest developments in the leisure and attractions industry. The event attracted more than 525 exhibitors showcasing the industry’s latest innovations and developments. EAS 2016 attendance nearly doubled from 2015, with Spain, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom represented, and increased attendance from the Middle East and The Netherlands.
Barcelona proved to be a truly remarkable host location for Euro Attractions Show 2016 attracting a strong presence from major leisure attractions in the area, including amusement parks, destination resorts, water parks, attractions, and family entertainment centers. Strong partnerships with local destinations such as PortAventura World raised the profile of EAS among local industry professionals, and the proximity to the Costa Daurada tourism and leisure market enabled the show to attract companies active in the broader tourism industry including resorts, shopping centers, 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.”
Trade Show Floor
Business was strong at this years’ expanded trade show floor with more than 13,000 square meters of exhibit floor. The more than 525 exhibiting companies offering a variety of products and services, including admission and financial equipment, construction and master plan consultants, food and beverage providers, high tech equipment and services, amusement rides designers and manufacturers, water-related equipment and slide constructors, show producers, people moving equipment and computer systems/software providers. “Euro Attractions Show 2016 is record-setting. Kudos to the industry and the staff for producing this amazing event, and thanks to the entire region for adopting us for a week,” said John McReynolds 2016 IAAPA Chair and Senior Vice President of External Affairs for Universal Parks and Resorts. “Our industry is constantly evolving and if you miss the show you miss some of the most current innovations in the marketplace.”
EAS 2017 will take place in Berlin from 24-28 September 2017.
Statements
Julian Richter jun. (Richter Spielgeräte GmbH):
“The EAS can be summed up as follows: the trade show itself is loud and garish and is not in every respect in accord with what we stand for. In recent years, however, we have often participated in this trade show to meet our ever-growing customer group of leisure park operators and planners there. We again succeeded in doing so this year and we were also able to establish some promising new contacts. In particular the trade show’s international character convinced us. Kudos to the organizers of the EAS in Barcelona for the supporting programme. Especially the Opening Reception at the Tibidabo Amusement Park was a particularly successful event. We will probably skip the EAS 2017 in Berlin as we were there three years ago and as we consider the EAS some support for our foreign partners, what does not necessarily justify another trade show presence in Germany.”
Benjamin Eichinger (eibe Produktion + Vertrieb GmbH & Co. KG):
„The EAS is a good platform for the leisure industry to showcase the development of playground equipment and our company’s contribution in its entirety to a truly international audience. Thanks to its consistent positioning, the EAS has become well established among international trade shows. Attendance at the trade show in Barcelona was good; customers specifically headed for our fair stand to look at quiet, natural alternatives amidst the hustle and bustle of the trade show. Our customers appreciate our service as we provide one-stop solutions from concept to assembly. The EAS is always a great opportunity to meet decision-makers and talk about future projects. For eibe, one thing is certain: we will also be there in Berlin in 2017.”
Karl Köhler (Berliner Seilfabrik GmbH & Co. ):
“By exhibiting at the EAS 2016 in Barcelona, we for the first time participated in Europe’s premier trade show for the attractions and leisure industry and we can now say that it lived up to our expectations. The presentation of our new Quadro Boo rope playhouse attracted international audience at our trade show booth so that we were able to establish a lot of interesting and high-quality contacts with decision-makers in the amusement park industry. Besides, Barcelona was the perfect location to meet some of our international trading partners and share ideas with them. The absolute highlight was the Opening Reception at the Tibidabo Amusement Park. The nostalgic ambience, combined with a great view of the city, provided a pleasant atmosphere to get into conversation with industry colleagues. We are looking forward to the EAS 2017 in Berlin.”
Mario Hampel (ESF Emsland Spiel- und Freizeitgeräte GmbH & Co. KG):
“At the EAS we meet important customers of our second market: the leisure industry. There we reach our customers, generate new business and can present new projects. For some years now, we have continuously exhibited at this trade show, ultimately also based on our close contact with the VDFU association. This year in Barcelona we met almost all of our regular customers. Being an attractive trade fair location, Barcelona attracted a large number of participants, both exhibitors and visitors. Of course, Barcelona is an attractive city and a real tourist ʻhoneypotʼ – which also had an effect on the trade show. The next EAS will be held in Berlin – Kinderland have already booked stand space there; that is what we always do one year before the trade show.”
Photo: Thomas Müller
