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Show Review
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Digging deep into
ARKIVES
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EAS Munich
IAAPA does Oktoberfest
It might have come only eight months after the last one, but
the recent Euro Attractions Show (EAS) in Munich nevertheless
attracted over 5,000 visitors to the Messe München exhibition
centre – roughly the same amount that turned up at the start
of the year for the same event in Nice, France. Owen Ralph
reports
T
he combined attendance of those two shows gives event organiser
IAAPA its highest ever EAS turnout – or the Munich total is about
2,000 down on previous events in Paris, Seville or Vienna. Next year
we will learn how popular EAS really is when it settles into its position as
an autumn/fall fixture.
1.
The reason there were two shows this year was because IAAPA wanted to
switch to this new timescale but was unwilling to wait another year to do so
– hence the short, eight month gap. Bearing all this in mind, the
organisation should be pleased it pulled the numbers it did in Munich from
September 30 to October 2 (Tuesday to Thursday).
“We developed, marketed and produced a quality show,” says EAS
chairman and past IAAPA chair, Mats Wedin. “There were fewer showmen
in attendance, and while most of the major attractions in Europe were
2.
represented, we know the difficult year in Europe and the economy played a
significant role in the turnout.”
While Oktoberfest is likely to have lured some attendees, paradoxically it
may also have kept others away thanks to the exorbitant hotel and flight
costs associated with the event. The exhibition centre was also a long way
from the “Wiesn,” or Oktoberfest site. The fact they could wait less than
two months and visit IAAPA’s Orlando show instead – for less money –
was probably enough to persuade some operators to stay put. Many
3.
exhibitors welcomed the new dates because it gave them chance to get
orders in time for next season but for those park owners, and showmen,
still open at this time of it was less than perfect.
But what could visitors could they find if they made the trip to Munich?
A good time. The parties and receptions at IAAPA’s European events
boast, dare we say it, a better atmosphere than any of its other shows,
and with the Oktoberfest spirit permeating throughout the entire city,
there was little chance of that changing in Munich.
Party Time
4.
More than 1,000 people participated in the Tuesday night’s Welcome
Reception in the Messe München foyer area, which lasted around five
hours and finished with a party on Ronald Bussink’s Giant Wheel outside.
This 50-metre wheel from Ronald
Bussink was built up outside
5.
3.
Messe München for the
duration of the show
1.Anton Schwarzkopf (centre) and his son Wieland (right) attend the
opening of Schwarzkopf's Jet Line coaster at Gröna Lund, Stockholm,
in April 1988
2.June Dinn, Charlie Dinn and Curtis Summers attend the grand
opening of the Georgia Cyclone at Atlanta's Six Flags Over Georgia in
March 1990
3.Joe Meck was in charge at Knott's Berry Farm in 1993
4.Jim Seay at IAAPA in 1995
5.Terry Monkton probably realised at the time it was a bad idea to have
this photo taken to promote the AI Group’s (now Simworx) new 3D
simulator at IAAPA in 2002 – and now it’s come back to haunt him!
He is seen here with ex-colleague Dawn Featherstone
NOVEMBER 2008
29
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