PG36-37 Show Review 3/26/07 2:32 PM Page 36
Show Review
Hot air balloon rides were given
outside the Fibes Conference Centre
Euro Attractions Show 2007
A return to form?
After last year's event in Vienna, when visitor “We are extremely pleased with these results,”
numbers plummeted more than 40%, the 2007 reported Emmanuel Mongon, chairman of the EAS
Euro Attractions Show (EAS) in Seville had to be board. “The visitors were there, and all the main
good. It was certainly busy, attracting a record players were there. People were happy, and I think it's
7,400-plus guests according to preliminary figures not only because of the show, but because there is
released by co-organiser IAAPA. But were they the something happening again in the industry.”
right visitors? Owen Ralph reports from the Fibes Visitors came from more than 65 nations,
Conference and Exhibition Centre. representing facilities ranging from theme parks and
fairgrounds to museums and science centres. Yet it
I
t wasn't just exhibitor numbers that were up, but seemed clear to many observers that a significant
exhibitors too. A record 272 companies number were local visitors, and a large percentage
participated in the show, which ran from Tuesday travelling showmen with families in tow. Good for
IAAPI/EAASI officials declare the
to Thursday, January 30 to February 1, forcing some exhibitors - and good for bar sales - but less
show open organisers to add a third hall at the last minute. important for others. Spain's own amusement
exhibition, the biannual Induferias in Valencia, didn't
happen last year, so there was probably also a lot of
people ready to visit a show on Spanish soil.
Social whirl
Successful social events in Seville included the
Tuesday night welcome reception, attended by more
than 1,200 guests, Wednesday's EAS Gala, enjoyed
by 670 party-goers inside the city's Old Casino
building, and the TEA mixer, a post-show drinks get-
together on Wednesday evening for those opting not
to do the gala.
More than 580 people participated in educational
programmes offered this time at EAS, from full-day
courses by Spanish trade association AEPA to
presentations and panel discussions involving
36 APRIL 2007