Event Recap: Attendees Explore Belgian Attractions at IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit
IAAPA Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) celebrated its first in-person event of the season by bringing together 81 international participants for the IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit in Belgium. Held from June 29 to July 1, the summit offered attendees a unique opportunity to reconnect with peers while touring and learning from four Belgian facilities: Bellewaerde, Pairi Daiza, Plopsaland De Panne, and Walibi Belgium.
At Walibi Belgium, Jean-Christophe Parent, CEO of Walibi Belgium and Aqualibi, welcomed attendees and shared details on the park’s history and its ambitious expansion. Participants had the chance to ride several attractions, including “Kondaa,” “Popcorn Revenge,” “Tiki-Waka,” “Pulsar,” and “Fun Pilot.” They also heard from project manager Julien Simon on the ins and outs of “Kondaa” and enjoyed a private visit of Aqualibi, Walibi Belgium’s water park.
On the second day of IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit, participants visited Pairi Daiza, where they learned about animal care from zookeepers, and then headed to Bellewaerde to experience the park’s attractions, such as the new family coaster “Wakala.” Stefaan Lemey, Bellewaerde general manager, shared insights on the park’s mission and the recent Aquapark addition.
The last day of the summit took place at Plopsaland De Panne, where participants were thrilled to be among the first ones to ride the newest attraction, “The Ride to Happiness by Tomorrowland.” Steve Van den Kerkhof, Plopsa Group CEO, talked about the story behind the new roller coaster, as well as the recently opened Plopsa Hotel and future international expansion plans for Plopsa Group.
- Visit IAAPA.org/ IAAPAExpoEurope to learn more about the EMEA region’s events
