With the slice of a ribbon, IAAPA Expo Europe officially opened Tuesday morning at ExCeL London in the United Kingdom this week.
Tuesday’s opening ceremony featured IAAPA’s senior leadership including Peter van der Schans, who made his IAAPA Expo Europe debut as the new vice president and executive director the IAAPA Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region.
Before diving into the full opening ceremony program, van der Schans led a moment of silence to honor Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and to offer the industry’s respect to the Royal Family during The Commonwealth’s official mourning period.
As of the opening ceremony, there were approximately 10,202 registered attendees, including 6,407 qualified buyers representing 3,775 buying companies. There were 530 exhibiting companies represented on the expansive trade show floor.
“We gather knowing many of you have made tremendous efforts in our industry’s ongoing recovery,” said van der Schans. “I have no doubt some of that good work is assisted by connections formed at events like this.”
In his welcome remarks, IAAPA president and chief operating officer Hal McEvoy announced IAAPA’s focus on coordinating the alignment of ride safety standards on a global level.
McEvoy explained the creation of nine working groups dedicated to reviewing and adjusting EN and ASTM safety standards to ensure a more cohesive, global approach to ride safety and operations.
“This work will make it easier for you to do business globally and supports the mission of safe fun for everyone linked to IAAPA and the leisure industry,” said McEvoy.
With this year’s event taking place in the United Kingdom for the first time in more than a decade, representatives from various industry touchpoints throughout the country were invited to speak during the ceremony. Duncan Phillips, Founder and Managing Director of 360 Play, Chairman of BALPPA; Amanda J Thompson O.B.E., CEO from Blackpool Pleasure Beach; and Nick Blofeld, Divisional Director for Merlin Entertainments offered a state of the industry for the United Kingdom.
