Ticketing

European UGM Agenda

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EUROPEAN GALAXY USER GROUP MEETING – AGENDA

 

Held at Radisson Blu
The Royal Mile, 80 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1TH

Welcome Reception: 19:00-21:00  |  Tuesday, 8 May, 2018  |  St. Giles Ballroom
Conference: Wednesday-Thursday  |  9-10 May, 2018 
Networking Event: 19:00-21:00  |  Wednesday, 9 May, 2018  |  Edinburgh Castle

 

Evening | 8th May | Tuesday

19:00 – 21:00 › Welcome Reception
Radisson Blu  |  St. Giles Ballroom

 

Day 1 | 9th May | Wednesday

10:00 › Introduction: Don Eash & Andy Povey  |  Gateway Ticketing Systems

10:40 › Getting in Focus for 2018: Don Eash  |  Gateway Ticketing Systems

11:45 › Creating the Ideal: Dave Langran  |  Gateway Ticketing Systems

13:30 › Welcome from our host  |  Historic Scotland

14:00 › Engaging with Different Audiences: Jemma Mansfield  |  NMRN

14:30 › Galaxy Tips and Tricks: Wanda Kalbach & Carly Straughan  |  Gateway Ticketing Systems

15:30 › A word from our sponsors: Bill Crane  |  TLS BOCA Systems

16:15 › Creating a Visitor Portal: Jonas Buhl Gregersen  |  Tivoli Gardens

16:55 › Open Forum

 

19:00 – 21:00 › Networking Event
Edinburgh Castle

 

Day 2 | 10th May | Thursday

10:00 › Welcome: Andy Povey  |  Gateway Ticketing Systems

10:15 › Trends in the Industry: Bernard Donoghue |  ALVA

10:45 › The Customer Experience – The Vital Ingredient: Stephen Spencer

11:45 › Galaxy{connect} Update: Wanda Kalbach  |  Gateway Ticketing Systems

13:30 › Exit Surveys: Lauren Childerhouse  |  SS Great Britain

14:00 › What’s new in Galaxy 7.2: Matthew Hoenstine |  Gateway Ticketing Systems

14:30 › Hints and Tips From a Galaxy Power User:  Roland Mailleux | Compagnie Des Alpes

15:00 › Customer Roundtables – Hot Topics for 2018

15:30 › Getting Visibility of Your Attraction: Ian Robinson

16:15 › The Gateway Visitor Portal: Matthew Hoenstine & Don Eash  |  Gateway Ticketing Systems

16:45 › Moving Forward in the UK and Europe with Gateway: Andy Povey & Don Eash  |  Gateway Ticketing Systems

17:00 › Open Forum

 

We look forward to you joining us in Edinburgh, sign up here

Gain Ownership of your Ticketing Operations for more Flexibility

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Case Study: The Houses of Parliament

THE CUSTOMER
The Houses of Parliament is the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords of the United Kingdom each playing an important role in Parliament’s work. There are a number of ways UK residents and overseas visitors can visit the Houses of Parliament including commercial tours.

 

THE CHALLENGE
The Houses of Parliament used to outsource their commercial tour ticket sales. This arrangement met their needs while they were only opened during summer and their ticket offer was simple.

When Saturday and weekday openings were introduced in 2010, The Houses of Parliament required a flexible and cost-effective ticketing system to support the forecasted increase in visitor numbers and a more complex range of offers including additional tour options and linked offers with the catering department.

“Gaining ownership has allowed us to be more flexible, extend our offer and deliver the projects we wanted to do,” explained Matthew Morgan Commercial Operations Manager at The Houses of Parliament.

 

THEIR SOLUTION
The House of Parliament started to look for an in-house solution allowing them to manage their ticketing and admission control as well as creating bespoke offers.

Following a tender process, The Houses of Parliament chose Gateway Ticketing Systems (Gateway) to supply a solution for online and onsite booking facilities including admission control and online sales.

Gateway’s solution gives them the ability to easily manage both advanced and real-time bookings from various locations and for both groups and individuals. Front-house teams have found the new points of sales very easy to use and Gateway created The Houses of Parliament’s web store using the same visual identity as their website for a smooth online customer experience. 

Since Gateway has been installed and training provided, The Houses of Parliament configure the system themselves and make any required changes in-house while Gateway ensures system maintenance and service support.

 

THEIR BUSINESS BENEFITS
The Houses of Parliament can now manage their own ticketing operations and be more proactive with their offering as well as getting closer to their customers.

“Since we’ve implemented Gateway; our visitor numbers have increased by 13% per year and our income by 20% year on year.” observed Matthew Morgan, Commercial Operations Manager

A new dedicated team
Following the implementation of Gateway’s system, a new dedicated booking team was formed and trained to better answer any customers’ demands and consequently increase the Houses of Parliament’s customer satisfaction.

Bespoke offers
The Houses of Parliament are now able to create new ticket options in the system for special occasions, as and when required, for both online and on-site sales. Gateway’s system can be easily configured in-house to achieve what they want to do with their customer offer, in a timely manner.

Deeper relationship with visitors
The Houses of Parliament are looking at integrating a customer relationship management solution, CRM Plus | Powered by Galaxy, to be able to engage in a deeper relationship with their visitors, creating more relevant communications and bespoke offers.

Increase sales
Taking advantage of Gateway’s continuous development, The Houses of Parliament are also interested in joining Gateway’s Galaxy Connect community to engage in more global ticket distribution through online travel agents. More information about Galaxy Connect available on www.galaxyconnect.com

 

Download a copy of this Case Study

 

Roman Baths goes live with Gateway’s Responsive Web Stores

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The Roman Baths, Fashion Museum and Victoria Art Gallery have implemented Gateway’s responsive web stores in order to provide online ticket sales.

“The benefits of the new web stores extend beyond the value of enabling customers to pre-purchase on any mobile or fixed device,” says Patricia Dunlop, Commercial Manager at the Roman Baths. “It is an essential tool for upselling our multi-site options and for tracking customer behaviour to inform our marketing decisions.”

Gateway’s web store is available as a responsive web design offering all the benefits of accessing it from any mobile device. Customers can buy products on mobile, tablet and desktop from a single web store for an improved online experience and conversion rates.

“The Gateway web store has always been aimed at making the sales process as simple, and intuitive, as possible. We use the same visual identity as the venue’s website and offer flexible options from selling general admission tickets to having complicated dynamic ticket pricing and issuing annual memberships.” explains Andy Povey, Business Development Director.

Gateway’s web store is also highly customisable to meet various business needs.

“We have opted for the upsell option on Roman Baths web store and propose that online customers buy The Essential Roman Baths guide in advance and have it ready for collection with their tickets so they can enjoy their visit as soon as they arrive on site.” says Tom Lee, Implementation Specialist at Gateway.

 

To find out more information about Gateway Responsive Web Store download the fact sheet.

For more information about:
Roman Baths visit https://www.romanbaths.co.uk/
Fashion Museum Bath visit https://www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/
Victoria Art Gallery visit https://www.victoriagal.org.uk/

 

–  ENDS  –

 

About Gateway Ticketing Systems
Gateway Ticketing Systems is the world’s leading provider of integrated visitor management solutions for museums and galleries; heritage attractions and historic houses; zoos and gardens and theme parks and events. We support our customers with all aspects of their customers’ journeys from ticketing & admission control, food & beverage, events management to CRM & fundraising strategies and reporting. For more information visit www.gatewayticketing.co.uk

About Heritage Services Bath and North East Somerset Council
Heritage Services is an internal business unit that manages the Council’s museums, record office and historic public buildings. We care for the unique collections in them and make them accessible through study facilities, displays, exhibitions, web sites, special events and formal and informal education programmes.

Aerospace Bristol will take off this summer with Gateway’s Visitor Management solutions

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Gateway Ticketing Systems (Gateway) supplies Aerospace Bristol with a comprehensive visitor management solution including fundraising, ticketing, admission control, retail solutions, reporting tools and customer relationship management.

Aerospace Bristol is a new industrial heritage museum being developed at Filton, to the north of Bristol. Due to open this summer, the museum will tell the story of Bristol’s world-class aerospace industry – past, present and future. Aerospace Bristol’s show-stopping centrepiece will be Concorde 216. Designed, built and tested in Bristol, she was the last Concorde to be built and the last to fly.

“We are very excited to open our museum this summer and having Gateway as a partner is central to support and unify our operations from online booking to advanced financial reporting and fundraising campaigns” explains Lloyd Burnell, Executive Director of Aerospace Bristol. “We will take advantage of their industry expertise and knowledge to create a smooth customer experience for our visitors.“

Aerospace Bristol will implement Gateway‘s solutions before the opening day.

“Being able to capture donations and donor information prior to opening and all their visitor information from day one is a great advantage for Aerospace Bristol. Getting closer to their visitors and knowing what their interests are will help Aerospace Bristol develop offers that meet and exceed their expectations,” explains Andy Povey, Business Development Director at Gateway.

 

To follow Aerospace Bristol’s progress and be the first to know when tickets go on sale visit http://www.aerospacebristol.org/

 

–  ENDS  –

 

About Gateway Ticketing Systems
Gateway Ticketing Systems is the world’s leading provider of integrated visitor management solutions for museums and galleries; heritage attractions and historic houses; zoos and gardens and theme parks and events. We support our customers with all aspects of their customers’ journeys from ticketing & admission control, food & beverage, events management to CRM & fundraising strategies and reporting. For more information visit www.gatewayticketing.co.uk

About Aerospace Bristol
Aerospace Bristol will be a major industrial heritage museum and learning centre that inspires and entertains today’s and future generations, through the presentation of the stories and achievements of Bristol’s world-class aerospace industry – past, present and future. Aerospace Bristol will reunite the heritage from a number of important collections to tell not only the stories of design, engineering innovation and achievement, but also the social history of the people who worked in the aerospace industry and the communities which have grown up around it. The object collection contains over 8,000 artefacts (many ‘at risk’) Bristol-built aircraft including Concorde 216, Bristol Scout, Bristol Fighter and a Blenheim IV (WWII Bristol Bolingbroke bomber, under restoration), as well as many scaled models.

Brunel’s SS Great Britain goes live with Gateway’s visitor management software

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The Gateway solution at Brunel’s SS Great Britain includes ticketing, fundraising, membership, retail and web sales and CRM

Gateway Ticketing Systems Ltd (Gateway) has been chosen to partner with Brunel’s SS Great Britain. The new revenue management and CRM solution will allow Brunel’s SS Great Britain to sell tickets, memberships, merchandise, and food and beverage along with collecting donations, on the front desk, over the phone and online. This will play an integral role in building stronger relationships in the future and tracking visitors to, and donations for, the historic site.

 

Brunel’s SS Great Britain is TripAdvisor’s number 1 tourist attraction in Bristol. The SS Great Britain is the world’s first great ocean liner and the most innovative steam ship of her time. Launched in 1843, this iron-hulled steamship revolutionised travel and set new standards in engineering, reliability and speed.

 

The Gateway solution will allow Brunel’s SS Great Britain to improve the customer experience and build stronger relationships with its visitors.

 

We are very excited at the prospect of working with Gateway. With a proven record of delivering projects with some of the UK’s biggest heritage attractions, Gateway proved themselves to be best suited our complex needs. We look forward to utilising their industry expertise to ensure the experience for our customers is the best it can be. I have no doubt that we will go from strength to strength as we grow the collection and attract more visitors together.” said Louisa Pharoah, Director of Development, SS Great Britain Trust.

 

“Being the chosen supplier for Brunel’s SS Great Britain is fantastic news for Gateway Ticketing Systems. We have spent much time and effort in recent years working with charitable organisations to support revenue generation, and improve customer relationships, and we look forward to sharing this with the team there. With the opening of a new museum in early 2018, it is imperative that Brunel’s SS Great Britain have the best software to support their mission,” said Andy Povey, Business Development Director at Gateway Ticketing Systems Ltd.

 

For more information about Brunel’s SS Great Britain visit www.ssgreatbritain.org

 

–  ENDS  –

Notes to Editors
Caption for photograph: 
Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Image credit: Max McClure photography

About Gateway Ticketing Systems
Gateway Ticketing Systems is the world’s leading provider of integrated visitor management solutions for museums and galleries; heritage attractions and historic houses; zoos and gardens and theme parks and events. We support our customers with all aspects of their customers’ journeys from ticketing & admission control, food & beverage, events management to CRM & fundraising strategies and reporting. For more information visit www.gatewayticketing.co.uk

About Brunel’s SS Great Britain
Brunel’s SS Great Britain is the world’s first great ocean liner and the most innovative steam ship of her time. Launched in 1843, this iron-hulled steamship revolutionised travel and set new standards in engineering, reliability and speed. Today, Brunel’s SS Great Britain is Bristol’s number one visitor attraction (as voted by the public on TripAdvisor) and home to the Brunel Institute, housing one of the world’s finest maritime and Brunel collections.

Cloud-Based Platform Galaxy Connect™ Receives IAAPA Brass Ring Best New Product Award

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Recognising the innovation of one of Gateway Ticketing Systems’ newest technological solutions, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) awarded Galaxy Connect an IAAPA Brass Ring Best New Product Award. The second-place award is for Technology Applied to Amusements: Facilities and presented to Gateway at the IAAPA Attractions Expo, recently held in Orlando.

Galaxy Connect is a cloud-based platform that enables attractions the ability to integrate with any number of online travel agencies with one integration to sell live tickets. In addition to providing guests with direct-to-gate admission, Galaxy Connect also helps venues increase ticket sales while saving money on costly one-off IT integrations and eliminating the time-consuming voucher reconciliation process.

“We innovate every day to help make our customers successful through technology,” says Michael Andre, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. “It’s a tremendous honour to be recognised with the prestigious IAAPA Brass Ring Award.”

Gateway previously won an IAAPA Brass Ring Best New Product Award for its eGalaxy Reseller Web Store that automates the process of consignment ticket sales.

Galaxy Connect™ Gains Momentum in UK Market

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Galaxy Connect™ Gains Momentum in UK Market as Venues Look to Increase Ticket Sales and Enhance the Guest Experience

Attractions and representatives of the travel trade recently gathered at Church House Westminster, London, to discuss ways to broaden awareness and increase ticket sales through the new cloud-based platform, Galaxy Connect.

Galaxy Connect allows for easy integration of attraction venues and resellers to sell live tickets to customers.

“Galaxy Connect makes it easier for attractions to partner with distributors and resellers, quickly engaging with customers around the world to increase exposure and ticket sales,” says Andy Povey of Gateway Ticketing Systems. “What’s more, Galaxy Connect is easy to set up with no need for additional training for front of house teams.”

Another benefit of Galaxy Connect is immediate admission. “Because sales through Galaxy Connect are live tickets not vouchers, guests can use their smartphones to gain direct access to the venue rather than queuing for the box office,” explains Don Eash, Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Gateway Ticketing Systems.

“Galaxy Connect is a massive improvement for distributors. On top of offering more flexibility and real-time access to venues’ ticket systems, it will also create an electronic data trail reducing fraud. We are also looking at new opportunities to generate revenue through the use of mobile app and geolocation,” says Andre Flambard, 365Tickets .

 

Galaxy Connect main benefits:

  • Enhance the guest experience – guests arrive with a live ticket or e-ticket and can enjoy direct-to-gate admission reducing front-gate lines
  • Enjoy real-time access to venue ticket systems – enabling resellers to sell capacity-managed events while avoiding sell-out situations
  • Streamline the reconciliation processes between attraction venues and resellers
  • Save costly IT resource time – connect with any number of online travel agencies and/or attractions with only one integration
  • Eliminate time-consuming voucher process – by selling live tickets, you can save countless hours of manual processing as well as reduce fraud issues

 

To learn more about Galaxy Connect, visit www.galaxyconnect.com or contact us on 0207 912 2022 or email sales@gatewayticketing.co.uk 

Kidzania Reaps Rewards of Integrated CRM & Ticketing

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Gateway Ticketing UK (Gateway) supplies timed ticketing and integrated CRM tools for Kidzania London to ensure smooth sales and marketing processes for a busy mall environment

 

The timed ticketing and integrated CRM delivered by Gateway allows KidZania to manage demand, visitor flow and avoid long queues in Westfield Shopping Centre, while increasing revenue by enabling the sale of more tickets at a better yield.

When planning for Kidzania commenced it became clear that its popularity with young families and its location in a very busy mall environment could create a large volume of traffic which the mall would be unable to cope with. Both the check in desk and the mall environment had the potential to become congested and this needed to be addressed immediately to ensure overcrowding was avoided.

A solution was sought which would help reduce queues, maximize revenue generation and integrate seamlessly with KidZoft. After an extensive search Gateway ticketing UK was selected to do the job.

 

“The main attractions with Gateway were the tried and tested software, the experience of their team and the strength of their existing client portfolio and we have already been impressed by their approach to our needs as a new customer” said Helen Carpendale, COO

 

In order to streamline the flow of visitors it was decided to allow families into the attraction at regular intervals during the day; effectively spreading out the families’ arrival at the check in desk. By encouraging visitors to arrive through the day, rather than at the regular 2 timeslots each day, the families wait time was significantly reduced on entering the mall environment and at the check in desk.

During the planning phase of Kidzania London it was shown that the combination of controlled capacity timeslots and the loss of the midday changeover allowed the attraction to increase its theoretical capacity by around 25% whilst at the same time reducing queue times and increasing guest satisfaction.

Gateway software provides KidZania with the tools and training to manage the capacity of each timeslot on an ad-hoc basis meaning they can increase and decrease capacity and timeslots based on each day’s trading. This requires no changes to the software itself and can be done in house by any trained and responsible team member.

With Gateway providing the software KidZania London were also able to utilize online sales which allows families to pre-book into any timeslot available which is tightly capacity controlled. When a timeslot becomes full it becomes unavailable for purchase and the customer is shown only those slots with tickets available. By encouraging pre-booking with guaranteed entry times and online only discounts Kidzania London is able to control demand on busy days and give a VIP experience to those customers who pay in advance and choose the best timeslots. The webstore also allows parents to pre-pay for food packages meaning the children do not need to carry real world money around the City and ensuring each child spends in Food & Beverage locations.

Not only have KidZania London seen a large increase in capacity of the attraction but the flexible software has enabled them to also increase revenue. Price-programs built into the system give KidZania London complete control of pricing so that pricing can be controlled by timeslot, day and season. By applying a slightly higher price to oversubscribed entry times KidZania London can increase revenue and encourage visitors to choose a less busy day; smoothing demand whilst also adding to their bottom line.

The first 6 months of trading saw KidZania London flow smoothly even with the exceptionally busy Christmas Trading Period in the Mall and increase revenue through a number of strategies including adding Food & Beverage offerings to online sales, encouraging repeat visits of school children and by managing the capacity and pricing of entry very closely.

The integration of Galaxy software into KidZania London allows the team a great deal of flexibility but also the ability to get to grips with their business through in depth analysis of their visitors. By using Gateway Insight to analyse their customer data KidZania London gain useful insight into what people are buying, where they are travelling from and much more. Easy to interpret dashboards allow high level data to be shown live in offices all around the site in order for teams to work more effectively.

 

Andy Povey – Business Development Director at Gateway Ticketing Systems UK said “Working closely with the Kidzania teams in London and Mexico City has been a great experience. Integrating our proven timed ticketing solution into the bespoke Kidzoft system has resulted in the best of both worlds for Kidzania London. The Kidzania development team are now able to focus on their specialist area while the Kidzania London team are able to take advantage of our world leading ticketing, booking and integrated CRM tools. We look forward to our continued partnership with KidZania and working together on future projects.”

 

About Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc.

Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. is the world leader in admission control and ticketing software for the attraction, amusement, and transportation industries.

 

About Gateway Ticketing Systems UK

Gateway Ticketing Systems UK was established in 2012 and provides admissions solutions and integrated CRM to museums and galleries; heritage attractions and historic houses; zoos and gardens and theme parks and events.

In under three years of operation in the UK, Gateway has secured ten new clients including the Roman Baths & Fashion Museum, Bath, Kew Gardens, London and V&A Museum, London.

For more information go to www.gatewayticketing.co.uk

 

 

Drayton Manor Theme Park Selects Gateway UK to Supply Ticketing and CRM Integration

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Gateway Ticketing Systems UK has been chosen to partner with Drayton Manor Theme Park.

Recently implementing the Galaxy® Product Suite at its venue, Drayton Manor Theme Park can now sell tickets, season passes and other products at the front gate, over the phone and online with direct integration into its existing CRM solution. This will play an integral role in growing the attraction’s business and building stronger relationships with guests in the future.

 

“Gateway has a proven track record with some of the biggest theme parks and resorts in the world so the decision to appoint them as our ticketing supplier was an easy one. We look forward to combining our operational experience with their industry expertise to ensure the user experience for our customers is the best it can possibly be and I have no doubt that visitors will really benefit from this,” said William Bryan, Managing Director at Drayton Manor Theme Park.

 
Gateway Ticketing Systems’ Galaxy® Product Suite will allow Drayton Manor Theme Park to focus on increasing advanced sales and ensuring data collection is maximized at every touchpoint.

Drayton Manor Theme Park is home to many rides and attractions including Europe’s only Thomas Land™ as well as a 15-acre zoo, campsite, the Drayton Manor Hotel and conference facilities. The Galaxy® Product Suite with CRM solution will now enable these teams to work together seamlessly. The ticketing system will be instrumental in allowing tickets to cover individual elements across the park and hotel then give operations personnel a full view of all sales.

CRM integration will allow Drayton Manor Theme Park to improve the customer experience and build stronger relationships with its guests. Combined data and ticketing offers can also be used to help increase season passes and retention rates.

 

“Being the chosen supplier for Drayton Manor Theme Park is fantastic news for Gateway Ticketing UK. We have spent much time and effort in recent years working with nonprofit organisations to support revenue generation and improve customer relationships and we look forward to sharing this expertise with a commercial business,” said Andy Povey, Business Development Director at Gateway Ticketing Systems UK.

 

About Gateway Ticketing Systems UK
Gateway Ticketing Systems UK was established in 2012 and provides admissions solutions to museums and galleries, heritage attractions and historic houses, zoos and gardens, and theme parks and events. Some of its clients include the Roman Baths & Fashion Museum, Bath, Kew Gardens, London and V&A Museum, London. For more information go to www.gatewayticketing.co.uk
 
About Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc.
Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. is the world leader in ticketing software, access control and revenue generation for industries including attractions, theme parks, waterparks, tours, zoos, aquariums, museums and historic sites. Located in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, Gateway Ticketing Systems provides strategic consultation, sales, service and support for point-of-sale and ticketing systems throughout North America and worldwide. Gateway’s robust Galaxy® Product Suite integrates ticketing, access control, resource management, group sales, online ticketing sales, retail, food and beverage, and membership management.

About Drayton Manor Theme Park
Drayton Manor Theme Park Ltd, opened to the public in 1950 by the Bryan family, is one of the UK’s most popular family attractions with over one million visitors a year. George and Vera Bryan OBE, converted 80 acres of derelict land, which once belonged to Sir Robert Peel; MP & PM to Queen Victoria and her family, into today’s wonderful multi award-winning family attraction, combining thrill rides with a conservation zoo plus catering and conference facilities.

Today, Drayton Manor Theme Park, still family owned and run by second and third generation family members, covers 286 acres of beautiful woodland and countryside and features some of the wildest and scariest rides around. Rides include: Roller-Coasters – Shockwave, Ben 10: Ultimate Mission and G-force. Major rides: Maelstrom, Apocalypse and Storm Force 10, the wettest ride. It is home to the hugely popular Thomas Land™ featuring many named Thomas & Friends™ character rides for the children and adults alike. Thomas Land™ at Drayton Manor is the only one of its kind in Europe. The park’s 152 seat 4D Cinema, over 50 rides and attractions makes for a truly unforgettable day.

Gateway Ticketing Attends Euro Attractions Show

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Successful First Euro Attractions Show in Scandinavia

Approximately 7,000 visitors attend Europe’s leading conference and trade show for the attractions industry. Held in Gothenburg over three days (6 – 8 October) the European attractions industry was in Sweden to discover the latest developments in the amusement park and leisure industry. This conference and trade show is organised in a different European location each year.

In 2015 Euro Attractions Show (EAS) moved to the Scandinavian region (Gothenburg) for the first time. Karen Staley, Sr. Vice-President for IAAPA EMEA, stated:

“Going north was a good idea; EAS 2015 performed above expectations. The location of Liseberg right next to the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre provided attendees with a fully integrated park and Expo experience. This made the entire event inspiring, hands-on, and very enjoyable for all attendees.”

 

Trade show floor features variety of innovations

According to the initial reports, approximately 7,000 visitors attended the Expo in the second largest city in Sweden. They came from 96 countries with 30 percent from Scandinavia. Remarkable was the amount of visitors from Eastern Europe. In addition to visitors from the attractions sector, many attendees also represented campsites, shopping centres, water parks and family entertainment centres. No fewer than 408 companies exhibited their newest products for rides, attractions, ticketing and entry systems, 3D films, games, and much more on the 10,500 m2 trade show floor, making it the second largest show in the history of the event. There was a striking trend to interactivity and attractions combining several technologies. Examples of the latest technologies and products are slides combined with games and virtual reality glasses for roller coasters.

 

First fully park-integrated EAS trade show

EAS 2015 took place in the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre. Liseberg, one of the most well-known amusement parks in Europe with 3.1 million visitors per year, located directly across the street, was fully integrated in this years’ trade show. Not only the education sessions took place here, but also a backstage tour, special events, and evening events. Christian von Elverfeldt (Mack Rides, Germany):

“Gothenburg as host for the EAS 2015 was a great choice. The proximity to Liseberg extended the show floor and formed a great venue for the IAAPA events. We are honoured with great interest for our products during the show.”

 

Some social media reactions from visitors to this years’ event: “Lots of new connections”, “Liseberg was a perfect host”, “amazing Swedish hospitality”, “interesting and inspiring presentations”.

 

Inspiring seminars

Parallel to the Expo there was also an extensive educational programme with more than 30 hours of seminars. The interest in this programme was also overwhelming. Leading speakers from the industry shared their visions on topics including attractions management, revenue operations and profit generation, customer satisfaction, marketing, and leadership and developments in emerging markets . There were specialty day-long programmes for specific groups such as the IAAPA Institute for Attractions Managers, the IAAPA Safety Institute, the Young Professionals Forum, a forum for water park managers, and a symposium for family entertainment centres (FEC) and indoor arcades. Attendees also took part in excursions to a few parks in Sweden and Denmark where they had a look behind the scenes. Special events at Liseberg The Leadership Breakfast, featured a keynote address by Björn Ulvaeus, former member of the famous pop group ABBA, on intellectual property, had a capacity audience. The Opening Reception at Liseberg was also a huge success where attendees took the opportunity, besides riding the attractions and enjoying typical Swedish food, to network with colleagues.

EAS moves to Barcelona in 2016

Euro Attractions Show 2016 will take place at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via Convention Center, 20 to 22 September 2016. Industry professionals will gather here to discover the newest developments in the attractions industry. Many exhibitors have already booked their exhibit space to participate in this trade show. Additional information on EAS 2016 will available shortly at www.IAAPA.org/EAS