IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit 2022

Event Type: Connections
Region: Europe, Middle East, Africa
Venue: In-Person
Member Price: 790€ (Excl. VAT) | Nonmember Price: 990€ (Excl. VAT)
Credit Hour(s): 7
CEU(s): 7

Countless Learning Opportunities to Help You Move Your Business Forward

Rome is known for its famous landmarks and the vibrant attractions offered in the region. Being a popular tourist destination, these stunning, sun-soaked sites are all-time favourites for everyone.

IAAPA is excited to offer exclusive access to three of popular attractions during IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit – a three-day event filled with insightful panels, keynote presentations, and networking opportunities. Taking place 11 - 13 May in the Rome region, it will be a valuable opportunity to hear from leaders, learn about timely topics, and leave with inspiration to move your own businesses forward.

Why Attend?

In-depth Learning Opportunities:

Hear from various speakers during a panel discussion and presentations about the overall state of the industry, latest socio-demographic trends, and outlook. Learn about the European context and specifically about the Italian market – its differences, influencing factors and governmental measures in place – are they helping to rebound the industry?

Listen to leaders from the hosting attractions who will explain about their own facilities, vision, future expansion plans and strategies. Learn from experts about key industry topics including:

  • Sustainability – Sustainable business models and examples of practices from host facilities.
  • Marketing – Rebranding your park and the use of IP.
  • Development – Evolution of resort and strategy of package deals.
  • Hybridisation of parks – New business and monetisaton models in practice including experiential retail case studies.

 

Unique Sneak Peeks and Experiences:

  • Cinecittà World – Experience this unique park at the home of Italian cinema.
  • MagicLand – Explore the largest theme park in the mid-south of Italy.
  • Zoomarine – Visit the combination of amusement park, water park, museum, and zoo spread out across 34 acres of land and water.

 

This event is sold out. Registration is now closed. 

 

Safety is Our Priority

The health and safety of IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit attendees, sponsors, and the event team is our number-one priority. We are working closely with our partners from all host venues to ensure we present an event that meets current recommended health and safety requirements. IAAPA EMEA will follow the latest guidance and recommendations for large groups and meetings from Italian authorities. Learn more about traveling to Italy.

Flexible Cancellation and Refund Policy

In the current fast-changing circumstances related to COVID-19, a transparent cancellation and refund policy for our guests is our priority. In case IAAPA decides to cancel the event, a full registration fee refund will be applied. Please refer to the FAQ section for more details.

Pricing

  Price (Excl. VAT)
IAAPA Member 790€
Nonmember 990€

IAAPA Member Student

650€*
*Use the following discount code: STUDENT22. Please note a limited capacity applies.
 

Speakers

Stefano Cigarini headshot

Stefano Cigarini

CEO
Cinecittà World

Stefano Cigarini is a Senior Executive in Leisure and Location-based Entertainment.

CEO of Cinecittà World, Rome theme park dedicated to movies and TV, CEO of Eataly World the Italian food theme park, COO and Strategic Advisor for the Moscow-based amusement park, Dream Island, owned by Regions Entertainment. Stefano Cigarini has served as Senior Vice President, Entertainment and Events of Ferrari S.p.A., the Italian Luxury Sports Car Manufacturer, leading worldwide Ferrari branded experiences, theme parks (Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Ferrari Land Portaventura), Museums and Global Events. 

In the past, Stefano Cigarini has served as CEO for various Amusement Parks (Magicland and Zoomarine), was appointed, at the age of 32, as CEO of Cinecittà Entertainment, Rome TV & Film Major Studios Company. Prior to Cinecittà, he has been Marketing Director for two music entertainment companies (Universal Studios and BMG Bertelsmann) and founder of the leading Italian dating website at the time. 

Stefano holds a BA in Art, Music and Show Management at Bologna University, a Master Degree in Marketing and Communication. In 2013, he was awarded Knight of Malta for professional merit.

Stephanie Dahl

Stephanie Dahl

Head of Retail
Karls Tourismus GmbH

Stephanie Dahl, born in 1972 in the Rhineland (Germany), grew up in the Ruhr area and came to strawberries via Hamburg. The trained advertising assistant worked in various advertising agencies in Hamburg as a producer and event planner until a strawberry farmer crossed her path. Arriving in Rostock in 2000, it took another two years to realise that Karls offers more than any advertising agency. Through many stations, including stand supervisor at the strawberry harvest or team leader at Karls farmers' market, Stephanie Dahl became a retail buyer and most recently "head of retail" for the Karls adventure villages and their shops as well as Karls' online shop. 

From salami and cheese to ceramic mugs and textile collections, she has created, developed and manufactured products at and for Karls. The last two years have been extremely challenging, as it has become more and more difficult to source our individual articles. But: everyone grows with his or her tasks. 

As the business has grown, three wonderful children have grown along with it, who will soon be following in big footsteps. After 20 years at Karls, Stephanie Dahl will be starting out on her own path in the next few months. Kundalini Yoga and events will progressively replace her strawberry world. Through the family, however, the strawberry heart will continue to beat to the rhythm for Karls.

Filip De Witte headshot

Filip De Witte

CEO
Familypark Austria

Filip de Witte benefits from 25 years of experience in management in different leisure parks of distinct sizes (from 300,000 to 1.8 million visitors). 

He is the former General Manager of Bellewaerde Park (Belgium), Parc Astérix (France) and Walibi Sud-Ouest (France). Through those different functions, he has been in charge of brand new events and activities that were very successful (winter season, Halloween, summer events). At this time, he managed large teams (200 permanent employees and 700 seasonal workers) and contributed to increasing the number of visits while reinforcing profitability and visitor satisfaction. 

As a seasoned professional, Filip joined the International Development Department of Compagnie des Alpes in 2014 and is currently the General Manager of FamiliPark, the largest theme park in Austria.

Additionally, Filip serves as a committee member on the IAAPA Global Membership Advisory Board.
 

Massimiliano Freddi, ICAE

Massimiliano Freddi - ICAE

CEO
Wonderwood

After being in charge of marketing and press for the Italian market of Disneyland Paris, he joined Leolandia, the most popular Italian amusement park for children under 10. As general manager and vice president of strategic development, he oversaw the park's 300 percent expansion.

Since 2016, he has been a member of the coaching staff for Seth Godin's AltMBA and a professor of Marketing and Experience Design at IULM University in Milan. He teaches consumer experience, marketing, and soft skills as an adjunct professor at the same university where the first Italian course in Theme Parks and Attractions Management was introduced.


He founded Wonderwood, an adventure park for all ages, in 2018 and currently serves as the park's CEO.
Since 2023, he serves as the Second Vice Chair on the IAAPA board of directors.
 

Jurgen Gevers headshot

Jürgen Gevers

Managing Director
Der Verband Deutscher Freizeitparks und Freizeitunternehmen (VDFU)

Jürgen Gevers is the Managing Director of VDFU, Der Verband Deutscher Freizeitparks und Freizeitunternehmen.

Working for more than two decades in the tourism industry at industry leaders such as Lufthansa German Airlines, SIXT rent a car, Carnival Cruise Lines, and AVIAREPS he had the opportunity to build up extensive networks and a profound understanding of the Sales & Distribution (B2B/B2C), Brand- and Relationship Marketing, Communications, and Social Media.

Guido Zucchi

Guido Zucchi

CEO
Magicland & Acquaworld

Guido is a seasoned CEO with strong experience in the Leisure Industry (Theme Parks, Amusement Parks, Water Parks, Resorts), and Retail.

As the Executive Director Nothern Europe and the Middle East for Parques Reunidos, he showed an outstanding track record in achieving consistent financial results and increasing customer satisfaction and staff motivation.

He gained further international experience in 2015 as General Manager for Motiongate Dubai. He was responsible for providing leadership, vision, and direction to all departments.

Currently, he combines the role of CEO of Magicland in Rome, Italy, with the role of CEO for Acquaworld, the first and only indoor water park in Italy, near Milan.

He is a passionate, dynamic, flexible, and charismatic leader, always looking for new ways to improve and create shareholder value.

Agenda*

Location: Sheraton Parco de’Medici Rome Hotel Lobby

Rome Ciampino Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport

*Please note agenda is subject to change


ACCOMMODATION 

Accommodation is not included in your registration fees, and the rooms that IAAPA had secured at Sheraton Parco de' Medici Rome Hotel have now sold out.

If you need accommodation, please contact Katia Malnati via [email protected].


TRAVEL

Rules in Italy until 30 April 2022 are as follows: 

Entering Italy

To enter Italy from any foreign country, you need to:

1.    Fill out the Passenger Locator Form before entering Italy. The document must be shown to the carrier or whoever is in charge of departure checks. If you don't have adequate technological means, you can download the printed version of the Passenger Locator Form.

2.    Show the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate or - for non-EU citizens - an equivalent green COVID-19 certification issued by your country's health authorities, certifying one of the following: completed vaccination cycle with a vaccine recognised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA); full recovery from COVID-19; negative molecular or antigenic test.

Those who, upon entry into Italy, do not show this documentation, can still enter but will have to undergo fiduciary quarantine for five days at the address specified in the Passenger Locator Form and inform the Department of Health Prevention competent for the area (see the page: COVID-19 Toll-free numbers and regional information). At the end of the five-day quarantine period, you will need to perform additional molecular or antigenic testing.

Validity of EU certificate and vaccination certificates issued by non-EU countries
  • The certification of vaccination is valid for nine months after completion of the vaccination cycle or administration of the booster dose.
  • The certification of recovery is valid for six months for those who have recovered without having previously completed the vaccination cycle.
  • Certification of negative COVID-19 test is valid for 48 hours from the time of collection in case of rapid antigenic test and 72 hours in case of molecular test. 

Vaccination certificates issued by non-EU countries are valid for entry to Italy and for accessing services on Italian soil if obtained following full vaccination with one of the following vaccines:
1.    Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech)
2.    Spikevax (Moderna)
3.    Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca)
4.    Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (Johnson&Johnson)
5.    Nuvaxovid (Novavax)
6.    Covishield (Serum Institute of India)
7.    R-CoVI (R-Pharm)
8.    Covid-19 vaccine-recombinant (Fiocruz)

Vaccination certificates must be written in Italian, English, French, Spanish, or German. Certificates issued in any other language must be accompanied by a sworn translation.

More information and useful links

Click here to find out conditions of entry into Italy from your country. To do so, you will be asked to indicate:
1.    Country of origin
2.    Country(ies) you have travelled through in the last 14 days
3.    Possession of EU citizenship or citizenship of a country in the Schengen Area
4.    Possession of registered residence in Italy as a long-term resident or kinship with a long-term resident residing in Italy

At the end of this process, you will be informed if there are any restrictions in place for travel to Italy from your country, the documentation you will have to present, and the conditions applied on your arrival.

Mask rules

Wearing a face mask is mandatory both inside and outside unless you are eating or drinking. It is also mandatory to wear an FFP2 face mask on public transport. It is recommended to physically distance by 1m.


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IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit FAQs

1. What is IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit?

IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit is three-day event that includes EDUTours, panels, presentations, and networking opportunities for global attractions industry professionals. It will take place between 11-13 May in the Rome region of Italy.

2. Is it safe to attend IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit?

The health and safety of IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit attendees, sponsors, and the event team is our number-one priority. We are working closely with our partners from all visited venues to ensure we present an event that meets current recommended health and safety requirements. IAAPA EMEA will follow the latest guidance and recommendations for large groups and meetings from Italian authorities.

3. What health and safety rules must I follow to attend the event?

To attend IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit you must be fully vaccinated and present the EU Digital COVID-19 Pass/Certificate (also known as the Super Green Pass in Italy). You are required to wear a face mask and it is recommended that you keep a distance of 1m to other attendees. For more information, please follow guidelines listed here.

4. Will IAAPA EMEA require attendees to wear masks during IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit?

Yes, wearing a face mask is mandatory both inside and outside unless you are eating or drinking. It is also mandatory to wear an FFP2 face mask on public transport. It is recommended to physically distance by 1m.

5. Will IAAPA EMEA provide masks to participants?

IAAPA will have masks available at registration, but participants are encouraged to bring their own.

6. Are accommodations included in the registration fee?

Accommodation is not included in your registration fees, and the rooms that IAAPA had secured at Sheraton Parco de' Medici Rome Hotel have now sold out.

If you need accommodation, please contact Katia Malnati via [email protected].

7. Are there sponsorship opportunities?

Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event. For more information and to become a sponsor, please contact the IAAPA EMEA Sales team on +32 2 790 60 18 or [email protected].

8. Are children, spouses and/or partners allowed at the Spring Summit?

IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit is a business event. No one under the age of 18 may participate. The summit programme access is limited to attendees only. Please note that due to current COVID-19 regulations, participation by spouses/partners is subjected to availability. An attendee fee will be charged. 

9. What are the terms and conditions and the refund policy?

We understand the fast-changing circumstances related to COVID-19 regulations make a constant review of cost and travel commitments necessary for everyone. In case IAAPA decides to cancel the event, a full registration fee refund will be applied.

In case attendees decide to cancel their participation, the following will apply:  

  • A full refund can be offered before 06 April 2022.
  • From 07 April 2022 to 27 April 2022 an administration fee of 50% will be charged.
  • There will be no refunds offered (and no exceptions considered) from 28 April 2022.

Please note that in the event of cancellation due to government-induced travel restrictions, attendees will be fully refunded if and only if, they can prove that their government has changed the travel regulations after their booking.

Refunds will only be processed on applicable registration fees. IAAPA will assess additional requests due to unforeseen circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Cancellation requests can be sent to P[email protected].

10. Who can I contact at IAAPA for more information?

The IAAPA EMEA Team is here to support you and provide the important information you need. Please contact the following representatives: 

Logistics and Operations
Katia Malnati ([email protected] or +32 489 253 683) 

Sponsorship
EMEA Sales Team ([email protected] or +32 2 790 60 18) 

Education
Tom Van Liefferinge ([email protected] or +32 485 86 3652)