IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit Set to Take Attendees Behind the Scenes at Belgian Attractions
IAAPA Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) will host a three-day in-person event offering attractions industry professionals the unique opportunity to visit four well-known destinations in Belgium. Taking place June 29-July 1, IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit will bring participants together to explore attractions during backstage tours and at educational talks given by facility executives, who will share operations strategies and best practices.
“After a disappointing period of cancellations of our physical events, we cannot wait to gather the industry together again, inviting everyone for the first time ever to Belgium,” says Jakob Wahl, executive director and vice president of IAAPA EMEA. “I am excited to welcome all participants to IAAPA EMEA’s home, where we arranged to visit four unique parks that have undergone interesting strategic transformations with some recently added or even brand-new installations in 2021.”
Attendees will experience Bellewaerde, featuring a theme park, water park, and zoo; themed zoo Pairi Daiza with its unique overnight accommodations; Plopsaland De Panne’s strong focus on intellectual property (IP), an indoor water park, and a new hotel; and Walibi Belgium, which is in the final phase of a multiyear relaunch strategy. Through tours and presentations, the attractions’ leaders will highlight insights on the new installations’ development and learnings gathered during the pandemic.
IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit will begin at Walibi Belgium with a presentation and EDUTour, allowing attendees time to enjoy the park and see its rides, including the new “Kondaa” steel roller coaster. Pairi Daiza zoo will showcase its resort, and Bellewaerde will spotlight its recently opened Bellewaerde Aquapark. At Plopsaland De Panne, attendees will get a look at the new Plopsa Hotel and “The Ride to Happiness by Tomorrowland,” a spinning coaster created through a partnership between the Plopsa Group and the Tomorrowland electronic dance music festival. Additionally, throughout the event, participants will have the chance to network and connect with industry peers from around the EMEA region.
“I am positive everyone from all types of constituencies—zoos, theme parks, and water parks—will take something valuable away from this event,” Wahl says. “And I personally look forward to the wide range of inspirational and educational talks, long-awaited catch-ups, and conversations.”
Visit IAAPA.org/IAAPA-EMEA-Spring-Summit to register and learn more about the summit’s program. Attendees will earn nine credit hours (CEUs) toward IAAPA Certification renewal. The health and safety of all participants is IAAPA’s top priority; the event will follow the latest COVID-19 regulations in Belgium.
